Category: Lifestyle

Google Launches The Nest Hub Max Smart Display

At the Google I/O 2019 developers conference, the company showcased a variety of new services(1) and the long-anticipated Pixel 3a smartphone duo. Additionally, it launched the Nest Hub Max smart display which succeeds the Home Hub launched last year. The company has announced the products under the home category that will be branded in the Nest lineup starting with the new Nest Hub Max.

Nest Hub Max

The new Google Nest Hub Max is a smart display with a built-in speaker and Google Assistant. Unlike the previously launch Home Hub, the device features a front facing camera which can be used to make video calls via the company owned Duo video calling service. The camera uses a wide-angle Sony IMX277 sensor which combined with software algorithms can track and keep faces in the centre of the frame during video calls. Notably, this is the same sensor present on the GoPro Hero 7 Black action camera. The key highlight of the product is the 10 inch LCD display with an HD resolution; which is significantly larger than the 7-inch one found in its predecessor.

The Nest Hub Max also supports gesture recognition which can be used to play/pause the music or video without the need of speaking out a command. It also has a switch on the back which can be toggled to disable both the camera and the dual microphones on the device. The company has implemented the feature to address the ever-increasing security concerns of installing a microphone and a camera in a household gadget. Additionally, the Nest Hub can play videos via YouTube and is capable of recognizing individuals in a family. The device can then give out individually specific briefing relevant to the person interacting with it.

Pricing and Availability

Also read: Google Launches The Pixel 3a & Pixel 3a XL Smartphones

The Nest Hub Max will be available for purchase in the US, UK and Australia later this summer. It has been priced at US$ 229 (Rs. 15,900) and can be purchased from the official Google Store. Furthermore, the company is also launching the last generation Home Hub in 12 new countries including India. The device has been discounted to US$ 129 (Rs. 9,000), down from its original price of US$ 149 (Rs. 10,400).

May 8, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Home Mini Smart Speaker Passes Bluetooth Certification, Launch Imminent

Samsung launched its first smart speaker, the Galaxy Home alongside the Galaxy Note 9 smartphone last year. While the speaker isn’t available to buy yet, it boasts of Bixby integration and powerful sound output. Fresh leaks suggest a smaller sibling of the Galaxy Home might be on its way. Another smart speaker, named Galaxy Home Mini has just received its Bluetooth certification suggesting an imminent launch.

Galaxy Home Mini

Galaxy Home

An Artificial Intelligence (AI) speaker by Samsung with model number SM-V310 was spotted on the Bluetooth Studio website. The name mentioned in the listing is Galaxy Home Mini, which the name suggests will be the more affordable model of the regular Galaxy Home. While the website doesn’t mention more information about the device, it is revealed the speaker will support Bluetooth 4.2 standards. The Home Mini will also run the Bixby voice assistant which was introduced back in the year 2017 alongside the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+.

Google Home Mini

The Galaxy Home Mini smart speaker will compete against the likes of the Google Home Mini and Amazon Echo Dot. Both the latter have been available in the market for a while now and are very popular among those looking for a portable smart speaker. Additionally, while Google’s offering runs the Google Assistant, the Echo Dot features Alexa voice assistant. Both the digital assistants have been present in smartphones and speakers for a while now and offer a more refined experience than Bixby in its current state.

Also read: Intel’s Leaked Roadmap Reveals No Signs Of A 10nm CPU Till 2022

As far as the pricing and availability are concerned, the recent Bluetooth certification hints the Galaxy Home Mini may be announced soon. It may be available alongside the much delayed Galaxy Home smart speaker in the following weeks. In terms of pricing, the device is expected to be priced similar to its competitors. So the Galaxy Home Mini may retail at around US$ 50 (Rs. 3,500).

April 29, 2019
Self Healing Sneakers May Soon Become a Reality

Technology isn’t limited to electronic devices anymore. Gone are the times when any advancements in technology were directly correlated to mobile devices, computers and televisions. Since the first 3D printer was developed in the mid 1980s, implications of the same have seen no limit. Recently, a fully-functioning heart was produced with the help of a 3D printer, which opened the path to many more organs that can be replicated with the help of the same. As per recent reports, a professor at the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering formulated 3D printable rubber, that can “fix” itself.

Qiming Wang, three of his students and a professor from the University of Connecticut were able to achieve the aforementioned feat via a kind of rubber developed from silicone. As per their statement, a self-healing rubber sole for a sneaker may soon be a reality. Not only sneakers, in fact, the material can be used to 3D print objects like toys and tires. What’s more, even parts of satellites can be developed from the same material for improved resilience.

Healing Mechanism

When the rubber material is exposed to a source of heat, a chemical reaction occurs that enables the atoms of the material to fuse back together. The healing speed is directly proportional to the amount of heat provided to the material, the report states. However, the healing process can occur at room temperature too. It will just take more time.

The report further states that the first step towards developing a self-healing object is to structure a model of the same in the computer. The software “slices” the 3D model into 100 smaller images, which are then projected onto a thin rubber layer (in liquid form). The rubber morphs into the shape of the original image, which is then converted to solid form using the projected light. Following a similar method, the complete shape is built up layer by layer, until the object is developed.

Concerns And Future Implications

Also Read: Scientists Replicate Highly Effective Anti Tumour Antibiotic To Fight Cancer

Because of the concern that some structural issues may arise during the testing and development of such objects, Qiming Wang states that his team will experiment with multiple hardness levels in order to make the rubber sole wearable in all conditions. Furthermore, they will also experiment with ragged edges and their healing process, so that the material may regain its original shape and not be affected by any wounds and punctures. Already, Wang and his team have been contacted by multiple footwear companies to use the material for their upcoming shoes. Wang believes that self-healing sneakers will make their way into stores in 2-3 years, and the same material will someday be used for creating Airplane wings as well.

April 26, 2019
Mi Men’s Sports Shoes 2 Launched In India

Xiaomi is a company whose product categories are ever expanding and range from smartphones to lifestyle products to consumer electronics. In India, the company has mainly focused on smartphones, accessories and television sector. However, the company is slowly turning the focus on lifestyle products as well. Surprisingly, the company has launched a pair of sports shoes in the country which is called ‘Mi Men’s Sports Shoes 2 ‘. As the name suggests, they are the successor to the original Mi Men’s Sports Shoes which were unavailable in the country.

Mi Men’s Sports Shoes 2

The Mi Men’s Sports Shoes 2 have an attractive design with a thick white coloured midsole and black outsole. The top of the shoes has a unique fishbone structure that Xiaomi claims improve balance and reduce the chances of sprain while intense physical activities.

The Mi Men’s Sports Shoes 2 also have a cushion patch and a TPU midsole which offer comfort to the wearer’s feet even when worn for longer periods of time. Distinctly, the shoes are machine-washable which makes them easy and are available in shoe sizes ranging from UK 6-11.

Price Availability and Colours

Also Read: Moto Z4 Play To Have A 48MP Camera And Snapdragon 675 Chipset

The Mi Men’s Sports Shoes 2 is available in three colour variants which are Black, Blue and Dark Gray. The shoes are currently available on Xiaomi India’s crowdfunding platform for a price of Rs 2,499 which includes a limited discount of Rs 500 and the deliveries will commence from 15 March.

February 6, 2019
Cadillac Teases Photos Of Its First Electric Vehicle

Within a day of General Motor’s announcement stating Cadillac would become General Motors’ “lead electric vehicle brand,” Cadillac has teased images of its first electric vehicle. Almost every luxury car manufacturer is entering the electric vehicle market. The year 2019 will be a great year for both environmentalists as well as car lovers, except for Jeremy Clarkson we suppose! Porsche Taycan, BMW i3, Tesla Model 3, Mercedes EQC and more are cars to look forward to this year. Cadillac’s new car is another step in the right direction it seems.

The image is a render of what the car will look like and it looks extremely futuristic. A senior representative from the company was reported to have said that the architectural design will allow the battery packs to fit into the vehicle. They will fit like ice cubes in an ice cube tray. The example given states that you can put in as much water as you want to make as many cubes as you need — the tray still takes up the same space in the freezer. He also said that the point of the design is flexibility. The car will have support for front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations.

Also Read: Car Technology That Will Wow You In 2019

The design will allow any kind of vehicle which can have a unique design without reducing range. The drive units are also targeted for flexibility. Front-, rear- and all-wheel-drive configurations will be supported as well. According to Cadillac, the upcoming electric car will represent the height of luxury and innovation. This car will also be positioning Cadillac as the pinnacle of mobility, according to the company. The new car’s image was teased at a car show in Detroit. Very little detail other than the teaser poster is known so far.

January 15, 2019
Amazon Alexa Servers Crash Due To Heavy Traffic

Amazon’s smart voice assistant Alexa is one of the fastest growing, if not the fastest personal assistant out there. Amazon has included Alexa in multiple smart speakers made by the company itself and it is now expanding the reach of the assistant to home appliances and even cars. Alexa’s portfolio and scope are ever-growing. In fact, Amazon reported that Alexa enabled devices were among the best-selling products on Amazon, this holiday season. What’s more, Christmas day turned out to be even more surprising for Alexa enabled devices throughout Europe. With a sea of new Alexa devices being bought and set up, the servers just couldn’t hold it anymore.

The servers went down as they couldn’t handle all the thousands of new Alexa devices being setup at the same time. The apparent Alexa outrage began around 10 AM GMT. With users complaining that they were not able to use their devices. Even for regular tasks such as paying music or using smart home controls. The shortage lasted for a few hours. Amazon was quick to get the servers back online and the devices working again. Another interesting bit of information is the fact that the number of voice activated orders placed this year was far greater, almost 3 times more than the number of orders placed last year.

Also Read : Honor View 20 With In-Screen Camera To Soon Launch In India

The Future

Other than this, Alexa was also summoned ‘hundreds of thousands of times’ to help with cocktail recipes and many other such holiday essentials. But what does all of this mean? The number of Alexa products reflects more about the dependance on smart home assistants, rather than just the sales figures. With growing features, the assistant is no longer restricted to a few devices. And has spread to almost every part of our homes. With the advancement of AI, some of them especially to aid smart assistants, what waits for us is an interesting and exciting future. Where the possibilities of using smart assistants will be endless.

December 27, 2018
Amazon Opens Cashier-Less Go Store: Just Walk Out After You Buy

Amazon has opened its first cashier-less Amazon Go store outside its hometown Seattle. The highlight of the stores which are under Amazon’s Go department, is the fact that customers don’t need to wait in line to check out their purchase. That’s right, just pick up what you want and walk out, as simple as that!

Obviously the products are not free of of cost and Amazon does have a solid process in place. The Amazon Go concept was introduced back in 2016. Since then, Amazon has opened a few stores. It basically had its employees come in and shop in these stores, testing it completely. When a customer walks in to the store, they swipe their phone against a sensor, which checks them in. Following this, a combination of cameras and sensors will track any item a customer picks up and add it to their virtual cart. As soon as you walk out of the store, the cart is updated. An e-recipt is sent to your amazon account so you can make the payment.

Also Read: Samsung Opens World’s Biggest Experience Centre In Bengaluru

The store is open from 7 AM to 8 PM and offers ready- made lunches, drinks, snacks, frozen dinners and basic groceries. The timings, products and working of the store clearly defines its target audience. It caters to the busy workforce, which does not have time to prepare their own meals or even wait in line.

Is Go The Future?

While the stores do lack cashiers, Amazon has not eliminated the need for human presence completely. The store still uses people for delivery, stocking and customer assistance. The main aim is to make a convenient check out process, whether it includes humans or not.

The tech giant uses several technologies to make this feat possible. A combination of computer vision, deep learning algorithms and sensor fusion help with each step along the way. To shop at the store, customers are required to download the Amazon Go app which is available for both iOS and Android devices. As of now, Amazon does not plan to expand outside the US. However, local tech companies in China are rivalling this model and have already opened chains of cashier-less stores. While they are not as technologically advanced as Amazon, they are catching up soon.

September 18, 2018
Top 5 Upcoming Electric Super Cars

The Tesla Roadster, as one of the first electric super cars shook the automobile industry when it set its 0-60 mark at 1.9 seconds. Here is a car which is extremely fast, stylish, and it is electric. Probably the first time those three words have been used in the same sentence. Apart from its mind boggling acceleration, the Tesla Roadster has a top speed of over 250 mph and a range of 620 miles.

However, the arrival of the Tesla Roadster set a chain of events into motion. Each and every supercar maker is now in the race. Which out of these electric super cars will reach the finish line and that’s what counts! With Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar and Porsche in on it already, the stakes are already high! So here is our list of Top 5 upcoming electric cars which would be the dream of both an environmentalist and auto enthusiast.

Also Read: Why A Tesla Smartphone Could Be Revolutionary

Top Electric Super Cars:

1. Jaguar E-Type:

Yes, you read that right. Jaguar announced that it will be making an all electric production version of the E-Type. It all started in September 2017, when jaguar installed an electric engine inside the timeless classic. This was done to demonstrate what Jaguar believes to be a glimpse into their electric future. The E-Type Zero Concept then moved on to become a reality. According to Jaguar, they are “Future-proofing the enjoyment of Classic Cars”. With the shift to electric for the E-Type Jaguar aims to reach a range over a 170 miles and will be powered by a 40kWh battery. Jaguar plans to start delivery by early 2020 and will also offer the existing owners of the E-Type a switch to electric. Soon, we’ll have the world’s most beautiful car back on the roads again. Going electric will also make this the perfect car for a spy, stylish and stealthy.

2. Ferrari Electric Supercar:

Ferrari’s electric super cars are yet to be named, in fact nothing much is known about them. CEO Sergio Marchionne proclaimed that Ferrari would make sure their electric supercar hits the road before the Tesla Roadster in 2020. Speaking at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, he said, “If there is an electric supercar to be built, then Ferrari will be the first.” Marchionne further went on to say that he is not trying to undermine what Elon Musk has done, he’s just trying to prove that everyone can do it. While his statements are exciting, they come with the certainty that Ferrari will produce electric super cars . Its not too far in the future when we’ll see the iconic brand roll out its electric supercar .

3. Porsche Mission E:

“A sports car that covers over 300 miles with superb performance—but without a drop of gasoline? Welcome to the future: the Mission E electric concept car”. This is what the landing page of the Mission E’s website reads. Porsche’s ideology with this car is clear, electric, sustainable and powerful. The two motors in the Mission E produce a combined output of more than 600 hp (440 kW) and throw it from 0-60 in less than 3.5 seconds. Along with this, the battery only requires 15 minutes of charge to go another 250 miles. Porsche has made this remarkable achievement possible by doubling the standard charging voltage to 800. The Mission E also sets a benchmark when it comes to cutting edge design futuristic looks.

Combined with this is an entirely new and interactive cockpit for the driver. Five OLED panels surround the driver and adjust themselves to the driver’s movements to avoid parallax error. Along with this the new eye tracking technology ensures that the Mission E knows which instrument the driver is looking at and with the push of a single button, that particular instrument will be activated.

4. BMW i8 Roadster Electric:

The BMW i8 has been around for a long time. It went from a concept to production and then a roadster version of the hybrid car came up. Now, BMW is working on bringing a completely electric model of this Roadster variant of the iconic i8. As of now, the Roadster is powered by a Hybrid Synchronous Motor and a Three-Cylinder gasoline engine. BMW has already started working towards this as the new i8 roadster has an improved electric range. Slowly, they plan to make this so efficient that it becomes electric, through and through. even though a specific date hasn’t been fixed for it to come out, looks like it is not too far away.

5. Audi PB18 e-tron:

The PB18 e-tron has just been unveiled to the world. While most other cars might aim to be driven daily as well, the e-tron has one objective- dominate the race track. This can be seen with the driver’s seating position dead-centre in the car. Despite this, Audi does claim that it can be used for everyday purposes and can even accommodate a passenger. The PB18 e-tron looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie.

While its got looks to kill for, what it’s packing under the hood is also worth a look. Three motors, one in the front and two in the rear combine to give an output of more than 500 kW which can propel the car from 0-60 in just over 2 seconds. This impressive performance makes the e-tron a beast on the track. However, no one over at Audi would confirm as to when this car would go into production and join the league of electric super cars. Fortunately, they never denied it either, making sure the possibility still hangs around.

Bonus: Mercedes Benz EQ Silver Arrow

Mercedes Benz unveiled its EQ Silver Arrow concept at the Monterey Car Week. The electric super car is a tribute to the record-breaking W 125 car from 1937. The Silver Arrow series of Mercedes Benz prides itself in using the best in design to deliver top speeds. Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer at Daimler AG, said ” Over 80 years ago, the historic Silver Arrows demonstrated that Mercedes-Benz was a pioneer when it came to speed thanks, among other things, to their streamlined shape.”

The impressive machine packs a 80 kWh battery which gives it a range of 400 km. The powerful electric motors provide an output of 550 kW ( 750 hp). The Mercedes Benz EQ Silver Arrow is a visual extravaganza, with unique features such as a single seater cockpit which can be folded forwards. Bringing in design elements form the past and the best of technology, it can never cease to impress. Despite the fact that it is a concept car, we hope that Mercedes Benz might consider making a production variant of the same to compete with all the other electric super cars out there.

The Future is here:

While electric super cars are the way to the future and sustainability, nothing excites us more than the fact that iconic companies are slowly pushing their efforts towards this. While most people might be excited about the electric part, lets not forget that each of these cars will come in strong and fast, trying to set new records, making our hearts race harder than before.

August 27, 2018
Top Tech: Top 10 Budget Earphones Under Rs. 1,000

A new month calls for a new top tech video from iGyaan. This month we have picked the top 10 budget earphones, which are priced under Rs 1,000 in India. Make sure to grab one of these, as these earphones are in high demand and might go out of stock soon. Please note that the price of these earphones is subject to fluctuation at any given point.

1More Piston Fit

These earphones are available on Amazon for a price of Rs 999. The 1More Piston Fit in-ear earphones have an in-line microphone as well. These earphones are available in four colours, Blue, Silver, Pink, and Black. These are made out of a single block of aluminium with a durable high-quality cable. There is a single push button to send and receive a phone call. Additionally, the button supports multi-click actions on iOS and Android devices. The heads of the earphone have a 45-degree angle for a better in-ear fit.

Audio Technica CLR100

These earphones are available in a series of colours, including Black, Blue, Green, Red and Pink. These earphones retail for Rs 659 and come in a trendy looking case. Though these earphones are completely made out of plastic, they are extremely durable. The ear tips are replacable and the retail package includes small, medium, and large-sized ear tips. The standard model comes with a microphone and the more affordable model misses out on the same.

Xiaomi Mi Earphones

These are newly launched earphones from Xiaomi India for a price of Rs 699. They are available on Mi.com and Amazon in Black and Silver colour. These are really high-quality earphones from Xioami which has a machined aluminium head. The earphones have abraded cable from the splitter to the 3.5 mm jack. There is an in-line microphone with a volume up and down button to control the music playback. These earphones have 45 degrees angle head to fit in your ear properly.

Buy The Mi Earphones Black here

Sony MDR AS210

These earphones retail for a price tag of Rs 705. These earphones are available in series of colours including vibrant Orange, Black and Blue. These are sports style earphones with a flexible clip that goes behind the ear. These earphones have a 13.5 mm driver with a 1.2-meter long chord. However, these earphones miss out on a microphone. If you are looking for a sports style earphones from a premium brand, then definitely the Sony MDR AS210 is the one to consider.

JBL iBass T110

These are in-ear style earphones with a flat tangle-free cable. These earphones are priced at Rs 890 and come with an in-line microphone with a push button. These have a 45 degree angled 3.5 mm gold-plated headphone jack. The jack is extremely slim and can fit most of the smartphones on the market. The ear tips are angled at 45 degrees to offer a snug fit. As like the most of the JBL earphones, these have a good amount of bass as well.

Xiaomi Mi Air Capsule Earphones

These earphones retail for Rs 999 and come in a trendy capsule look-alike design. These earphones are available in black and silver or gold and white colour combination. They look exceptionally good in terms of design and have a 45 degree angled design. The 3.5 mm headphone jack is gold plated with an in-line remote with a volume controls and a button to send and receive a phone call. However, these volumes control works on Xiaomi and other Android devices and does not work on iOS devices.

Evidson B3

These earphones retail for Rs 799 and come with a tangle-free braided cable. They have an in-line microphone and a button to send and end receive phone calls. These earphones have a really good design with a mix of metal and plastic. The earphones have a good amount of bass and clear mids. If you are looking for slightly bass-heavy earphones, then Evidson B3 is the one to consider.

SoundMAGIC ES 18S

These earphones retail for Rs 659 and available in Black and Red or Black and Silver. They have a 3.5 mm jack with a gold plated connector. The ear tips are nice and comfortable to hold in the ear for long periods of time. Additionally, these do come with additional ear tips and a user can find a snug fit using these. The cable has a length of 2 meters and has a 10mm neodymium drivers. These earphones deliver a good amount of soundstage and a good amount of bass.

Philips Bass+ SHE4305

The Philips Bass+ SHE4305 earphones retail for a price of Rs 849. As the name suggests, these are bass heavy in-ear style earphones with an in-line microphone. These earphones are available in series of colour, including Blue, Red, and Black. The earphones have a very modern design with a plus logo on the back. These are extremely lightweight and really comfortable to wear for longer periods of time.

Omega Brainwavz

These earphones retail for a price of Rs 999. These are noise cancellation type earphones and has a braided cable design. The in-line remote has a volume button and a single button to send and receive calls. These earphones come with a 24 months warranty with a strangely angled 3.5 mm headphone jack. These are very light in weight and comfortable to wear for a longer amount of time. These earphones have a good amount of mids and highs. However, these earphones have a softer base, which makes these extremely well-balanced earphones.

April 6, 2018

Google Home Smart Speakers Will Launch Exclusively On Flipkart

Google India is hosting an event on the 10th of April for the launch of the Google Home smart speakers. Flipkart has now made a dedicated page for the Google Home speakers. The Flipkart page features a Google Home and Google Home Mini with a hashtag #MakeGoogleDoIt. Additionally, the page also mentions different capabilities of these devices like hands-free play and pause gestures.

The Google Home and the Google Home Mini are the first set of smart speakers from the company which will also be powered by the Google Assistant. These smart speakers need to be connected to a Wi-Fi network. The speakers act as great music players but once connected they can be used to also control different smart home accessories like a smart bulb. Additionally, these speakers can also be used to schedule a task, set an alarm, ask for trivia or the latest news.

As of now, the only competition the Google’s smart speaker lineup is the Amazon Echo series of smart speakers. Amazon had launched the Echo Plus, Echo, and Echo Dot in India for a price of Rs 14,990, 9,999, and 4,499 respectively. Considering these prices, the Google Home and Google Home Mini are likely to be priced at Rs 9,999 and Rs 4,499 respectively. However, the official price might vary a bit.

Google Home Specs

Available in two color variants one with White, while the other a Slate fabric finish. The larger smart speaker has a 2 inch driver with dual 2 inch passive radiators. The speaker requires 16.5 Volts and 2A current, which is why the speaker is needed to be connected to a power source at all times. One can connect to these speakers using an iOS or Android smartphone using the Google Home app. The speaker supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi Bands . Additionally, these speakers can be connected to run as a single set of speakers or for multi room playback.

Weight (g)	477
Supported Audio Formats	HE-AAC, LC-AAC, MP3, Vorbis, WAV (LPCM), FLAC, Opus
Wireless network	802.11b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5Ghz) Wi-Fi
Speaker	2in driver + dual 2in passive radiators
Connections	DC power jack, Micro-USB port (for service only)

Google Home Mini Specs

The Mini has a similar functionality in a compact form factor. The speaker will launch in three different finishes, which includes Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral. Due to smaller form factor, it requires 5 Volts and 1.8 Amps power. However, it packs in a smaller speaker, which might not be able to fill out even a small room.

Weight Approximate	173 g
Height	4.2 cm
Colour	Chalk
Sound System	360° Circle Sound
Wireless Speakers	Yes
Power Source	Power Adapter

April 6, 2018

Xiaomi Launches Kickstarter-Like Mi Crowdfunding In India

Xiaomi has launched a new service on it’s ongoing Mi Fan Festival 2018 called the Mi Crowdfunding. This is a similar platform to Kickstarter, where a set of users has to back a product. After reaching the required number (in this case 1000), the product will be shipped in the next 10 days.

These products are already available in China. For Xiaomi this could be a great platform to test the popularity of accessories, which will assist the company in actual launch of the product. So, some of these products might officially launch in India, after the funding period.

As of now, the company has announced two accessories. A Bluetooth receiver and a Tripod selfie Stick. These devices are available in 1000 numbers and one has to pay the amount upfront to back the product. The prices of these devices will be less than the usual price tag.

Xiaomi Mi Bluetooth Audio Receiver retails for Rs 999. It is based on Bluetooth 4.2 technology, which converts wired earphones and headphones into wireless headphones. Additionally, the device has a single button and just weights 10 grams. Xiaomi claims that it can play music up to 4-5 hours on a single charge and it can also convert your analogue Car music system into a wireless music system.

The Xiaomi Tripod Selfie retails at Rs 1,099. It is a nifty accessory for vloggers and selfie enthusiasts. The Tripod has a built-in Bluetooth support, which can control the camera of the connected smartphone. This supports a variety of Android and iOS devices. In fact, the accessory can fit in the Xiaomi Mi 5 or the bigger Xiaomi Mi MAX 2 without breaking a sweat.

Considering this as a new platform, we can expect to see more products in the future. However, the page isn’t clear about some of the facts like, what happens if a product doesn’t get funded 100% and the warranty claims.

April 5, 2018
Top 5 Smart Home Accessories In India

Making a transition from phone to smartphone is a difficult task. However, once if you have a smartphone, transitioning your home to a smart home is pretty easy. These are Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which once connected to Wi-Fi to give you control over different functionalities. It is worth noting that these accessories can be controlled from any smartphone running iOS or Android smartphone.So, here are the top 5 gadgets that can convert your run of the mill home into a smart home.

Amazon Echo Dot

Amazon Echo Dot can act as a hub to control other smart accessories. The Echo Dot is available on Amazon for Rs 4,499 and offers a plethora of features. The device comes with a compact form factor in black or white colour. This is a smart home assistant, powered by Amazon Alexa. The device comes with a speaker and array of microphones so that it can always respond to you when you say “Alexa”. The device can play songs using Amazon Music, Saavn and Tuneln. Similarly, a user can play music across the devices using multi-room music. However, if you are looking for a louder sound output, go with Echo Plus which retails for Rs 14999.

Xiaomi YeeLight

The Xiaomi YeeLight is one of the most affordable smart bulbs available in the market. This can be paired with a smartphone to control brightness and colour of the light. The LED bulb has an RGB colour profile with 16 million colour combinations. The company also claims that a bulb can last up to 11 years. As this is a smart bulb, it is priced at Rs 1,890. Similarly, one can connect more than one bulb to a single account to create dramatic colour effects.

Xiaomi YeeLight

D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor

The D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor connects to the Wi-Fi to notify users of any unsuspecting movements. The device comes in handy for monitoring a baby or a house while the members are away. Download the MyD-Link myHome app on iOS or Android device to complete the setup and turn on the motion detection feature. Similarly, the device can also be used to monitor power and temperature. The device costs Rs 849.

D-Link Wi-Fi Motion Sensor

TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug

Unlike a normal power plug, this plug delivers the power to the connected device. One has to complete the setup of the device using an iOS or Android smartphone, by connecting to a Wi-Fi network. Then, this plug can be used as any other plug. However, the admin will have the control over the power supply. A user can turn off or turn on a gadget that is connected to this device remotely with. Similarly, one can programme the device to turn on or turn off at a different time interval. This is priced at Rs 2,099.

TP-Link Wi-Fi Smart Plug

Digoo Wireless Wifi Night Vision Smart Home Security IP Camera

In simpler definition, this is a smart CCTV camera. The device retails for Rs 4,200 and offers plenty of features like Motion detection, one button guard etc. One has to connect this to a Wi-Fi network for real-time monitoring. However, it is possible to connect this device using wired LAN network as well. The device is compatible with iOS, Android and Windows OS.

Digoo Wireless Wifi Night Vision Smart Home Security IP Camera

March 20, 2018
Fitbit Versa Officially Launched in India For Rs 19999

Fitbit launched the Fitbit Versa smartwatch in India on the 14th of March. The Fitbit Versa is a successor to the Fitbit Iconic, which runs on the same Fitbit OS. As Fitbit recently acquired Pebble, the design elements are quite reminiscent of the Pebble Time Steel.

The regular version will retail for Rs 19,999 and the special edition will retail for Rs 21,999. However, there are no details on the availability of the smartwatch. The smartwatch runs on Fitbit OS 2.0. It has a maximum brightness of 1,000nits which should offer great sunlight legibility. The smartwatch has 4 days of battery life, which can be completely charged within 2 hours.

James Park, co-founder and CEO of Fitbit Said:

Fitbit Versa fills a critical need in the market by delivering a beautifully designed, full-featured smartwatch that is easy to use at a very competitive price.

The Fitbit Versa also packs in a heart rate sensor and GPS sensor, which offers personal fitness guidance Fitbit coach. Similarly, the watch can also we worn while swimming, as it is water resistant up to 50 meters.

It is compatible with smartphones running on Android and iOS OS. The built-in storage allows the user to carry up to 300 songs using third-party services. There is an option for Fitbit Pay, which uses NFC based payment system. However, the service is presently inactive in India.

March 19, 2018
Samsung To Launch QLED TVs On March 7th

Samsung is known for its signature TVs with the OLED panel. However, the company is slowly shifting towards the Quantum Dot technology. In fact, the company announced a couple of Smart TVs based on QLED technology at CES 2018. On March 7th, 2018, the company is expected to launch few more models of mainstream TVs using Quantum Dot technology.

Samsung is all set to launch the next generation Smart TV series in New York at the American Stock Exchange in Manhattan. The company is expected to launch 8K resolution smart TVs. In fact, Samsung showcased a TV with 8K resolution at CES 2018.

Features of 2018 QLED Samsung TVs

A report from Korea stated that the 2018 QLED TVs features will be centred on the Bixby. The TVs will be AI driven based on Samsung’s SmartThings technology. The Bixby will be used for the effortless content discovery and sharing. However, we are yet to see the implementation of Bixby on a TV platform.

Conclusion

The Samsung 2018 QLED TV series will showcase the power of the smart TV with an AI-enabled operating system. However, these TVs will be priced at a premium price tag.

March 1, 2018
Xiaomi To Launch A Cheaper Version Of Mi TV 4 In India

Xiaomi’s Mi TV 4 is one of the best smart TV that one can get for the budget of Rs 40,000. However, the 55-inch size with 4K resolution is not everyone’s cup of tea. In fact, the 55 inch TV from Xiaomi is too much for an average Indian house. To bridge this gap, the company might launch a new TV with 42 inch screen size with 1o80p resolution. Similarly, the TV is likely to be called as Xiaomi Mi TV 4 Lite.

Here is an official tweet hint from Manu Jain

Mi fans! Something new is coming to India!

It’s time to switch to something smarter, slimmer and sleeker. Coming soon! Stay tuned ?#SwitchToSmart pic.twitter.com/hsV3feDJbe

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) March 1, 2018

Expected features of Xiaomi Mi TV 4 Lite:

The Xiaomi Mi TV 4 Lite will have all the features of the Original model with a smaller footprint. The TV will have a 1080p panel, which will be similar most of the TVs. Not only that, it will have all the smart TV functionalities as well.

In terms of pricing, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4 Lite is expected to be priced around Rs 20,000 price mark. If they can launch a smart TV the price tag similar to the speculated one, then this will be a blockbuster.

March 1, 2018