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Top Tech Lightning Deals On Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale Right Now

As the Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale begins, here are the top tech lightning deals that are on right now. The time frame in which the deals will be active in will vary.

Seagate Backup 4TB Hard drive

This Seagate 4TB storage hard drive is ideal for people who hate deleting their old data and like to carry it with them wherever they go. The hard drive has USB 3.0 transfer speeds and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports at USB 2.0 transfer speeds. The hard drive comes with 3 years of warranty as well. It retails at a price of Rs 22,199 but, during the sale, it will be available for a price of Rs 9,498.

SoundBot Bluetooth Speaker

The Soundbot Bluetooth Speaker has 40mm premium drivers for both active outdoor and indoor use. The speaker comes equipped with Bluetooth 3.0 and has a 3.5mm AUX output as well. The speaker is shipped with 1 year of manufacturer’s warranty as well. The average battery life of the Soundbot Bluetooth Speaker is 10 hours.

JBL GO Speaker

The JBL GO Bluetooth Speaker is a great budget bluetooth speaker. It is available in 8 colours for you to choose from. At 132 g, it is extremely light and portable. It has a 3.5mm jack to connect your device via an AUX cable and charges through a micro-USB port. It has a built-in microphone to receive calls as well. The JBL GO speaker usually retails for Rs 3,490 but is available for a price of Rs 1,899 right now.

WD Elements 2TB Hard Drive

This WD hard drive is light, portable and gives you an extra 2TB of storage in case you run out of the onboard storage on your desktop or laptop. This hard drive also has USB 3.0 transfer speeds and a 2-year warranty.

Bose Quiet Comfort 25

The premium noise canceling headphones by Bose are critically acclaimed and available at a great price right now. The wire can be detached for easy carrying and the case for the headphones make it easier to carry the over-the-ear headphones around. The Bose Quiet Comfort retail for around 25000 but, right now are available for a price of Rs 15,100 on Amazon!

1More Piston Earphones

The 1iMore earphones are sturdy, look premium for a price of Rs 999 and have tangle-resistant cables. The sound is bass-heavy and the fit comfortably in the ears. If you are looking for a budget-friendly pair of earphones which offer a bass-heavy sound, the 1More earphones are worth a shot.

October 4, 2017
BMW Will Integrate Alexa Into Its Cars In 2018

The Amazon Hardware Show 2017 showcased a lot of tech that revolved around Alexa. There were new variants of the Echo, Amazon’s smart speakers, and a lot of smart home products that integrated Alexa. Amazon is pushing really hard to make sure that everyone talks to its AI assistant in the coming years. Another huge announcement at the hardware show included BMW. BMW announced that Alexa will be integrated into BMWs and selected Mini vehicles starting in mid-2018. “It’s a complete, comprehensive set of internet capabilities that is available inside your vehicle,” a BMW executive said during the Amazon show.

The integration uses microphones embedded inside the car. With Alexa inside the vehicle, drivers can use voice commands to use basic Alexa commands like asking for news and weather, in addition to third-party apps like Starbucks. Previously, Amazon and BMW had worked together on an Alexa Skill that allows car owners to talk to their apps or Echo to check things like remaining fuel in the car. This integration of Alexa and BMW will also take the level of involvement of AI in an average consumer’s life a notch higher. Whether you are a supporter or a cynic of voice controlled tech, the future seems to be tilting towards a voice controlled environment.

However, this is not the first time that Alexa has been integrated into a car, at CES this year, Ford introduced a line of cars that allows users to sync their Alexa devices so they can remotely unlock or start their car with voice commands.

Tech companies have been working towards adding software in cars and the likes of Apple and Samsung are even testing self-driving cars in the United States. Amazon’s recent push puts them at par with other tech giants looking to hold their own in the space of car technology.

Alexa will be available in all BMW vehicles for the 2018 model year, and mid-2017 Mini models in the US, Germany, and UK.

September 28, 2017
Amazon Announces New Alexa-Powered Smart Home Devices

Amazon has announced a host of new devices powered by Amazon’s AI assistant Alexa during the Amazon Hardware Event 2017. Amazon’s efforts to push Alexa into every aspect of your home or office was evident during the hardware event. Here are the top products announced at the event:

Echo Plus

Priced at US$149, the Echo Plus is about the same size as the original Echo from 2014 but, also acts as a smart home hub with second-generation far-field voice recognition and enhanced sound. The Echo Plus uses Zigbee as a low-power way to extend its wireless range and can control more than 100 smart home devices in the market via voice, without any apps required. The Echo Plus will scan the room for smart devices and set it up automatically. In a demo shown during the event, the Echo Plus scanned a Philips Hue smart bulb and was able to control it within 15 seconds. The Echo Plus will come bundled with a Philips Hue smart bulb and will be available black, white and silver colour variants. The Philips Hue bulb bundle shows that Amazon really want consumers to get into the smart home tech game.

A new Alexa feature demonstrated during the event was the series of tasks that can be triggered with a simple phrases. The Echo Plus, once set up and connected to all the smart devices in your home can open the blinders, start the coffee machine and tell the weather by just saying “Good Morning Alexa.”

Echo Spot

The Echo Spot is a smart alarm clock powered by Alexa which also has a screen for video calling and can be connected to external Bluetooth speakers. The Echo Spot has a 2.5 inch screen and display lyrics of the songs playing or used for video calling as well. The Echo Spot looks like a crossover of Echo Dot and Echo Show with compact size and a display. The new Echo Spot will run you US$130 and will go on sale on December 19th.

Echo Buttons

Ever felt like playing a trivia game with your friends but never had a buzzer to get the whole TV feel? The Echo Buttons fill that hole. The Echo Buttons will retail in a pack of two and act as buzzers for game nights with family and friends. Priced at US$20, Echo Buttons are hockey puck-shaped devices and will work alongside an Alexa-enabled device.

New Cheaper Echo

Amazon also announced a refreshed verson of the original Echo from 2014. The new Echo is about half the size of the original one and costs US$99. In order to push the new Echo as multi-room audio device and compete with Sonos, Amazon is offering a bundle of three Amazon Echo’s for US$249. The new Echo also has a dedicated bass tweeter. The new Echo will also make 911 calls now and in order to push Amazon Alexa as a phone replacement, the company announced a separate US$35 device called Connect. Connect connects to your landline and makes free calls for you. Your number will still be attached to Connect so that the receiver can identify your number. The Echo will be available in a host of different finishes like wood and cloth.

Fire TV

The Amazon Fire TV will now support 4K HDR video playback at 60fps. It has Dolby Atmos integration and an Alexa voice remote, and will cost US$69.99. The price places it far below its direct rival, the Apple TV 4K which costs US$179. The size of the Fire TV is also much smaller and can be attached to the back of a television unlike its predecessor which looked like a set top box. Amazon has opened it for pre order and will start shipping the Fire TV on October 25th.

All these devices will be available in the United States right now and it’s global availability has not been announced yet. There were reports of Amazon Echo Dot launching in India during the festive season, and with a host of festivals round the corner, it might happen anytime now.

September 28, 2017
Xiaomi’s Sale Starts On 27th September With Deals On Redmi Note 4 And More

Xiaomi announced that during the recent Amazon and Flipkart sales, Xiaomi managed to sell over 1 million handsets. And now, in order to lure customers to the company’s own website mi.com, Xiaomi is hosting a three-day ‘Diwali With Mi’ sale from 27th September. Let’s take a look at the top deals for you to save some bank during the Diwali shopping:

Xiaomi Mi A1

The newly launched mid-ranger Mi A1 has dual-cameras and stock Android. The Xiaomi Mi A1 has a 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 px LTPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass on top for protection and aluminum unibody build. Powering the device is a 3080 mAh battery and 2A charging through the Type C port. The Mi A1 runs pure Android 7.1.2 Nougat OS. The phone has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, 8x ARM Cortex A53 2.0GHz 64-bit processor, 4GB RAM and 64GB of onboard storage which is expandable via microSD card. In terms of optics, the smartphone features dual sensors – 12MP with an f/2.2 aperture (26mm) and 12MP with an f/2.6 aperture (50mm) setup with 1.25-micron pixel size. Out of the two cameras at the back, the primary one is equipped with a telephoto lens and the secondary camera has a wide-angle lens. The telephoto lens allows the user to take bokeh effect shots with blurred background and a 2X optical lossless zoom. For landscape shots, Xiaomi has introduced a wide angle lens while on the front is a 5MP camera.

Redmi Note 4

The Redmi Note 4 was launched in early 2017 in India. It has a 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 px IPS LCD display. The smartphone runs 6.0 Marshmallow with Xiaomi’s custom skin MIUI on top. Under the hood, the device is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset, 3GB RAM/32GB storage or 4GB RAM/64GB onboard storage, which is expandable up to 128GB via microSD card. Powering the device is a massive 4100 mAh battery and a fingerprint sensor sits at the back of the device just below the camera. On the camera front, it has a 13MP rear facing camera and a 5MP front facing camera. The 32GB storage variant costs Rs 10999 but, will be available for Rs 9999 during the sale. The 64GB storage variant costs 12999 and will retail for Rs 10999 during the sale.

Xiaomi Redmi 4

The Xiaomi Redmi 4 has a 5-inch 1280 x 720 px LCD display and a 4100 mAh battery. Under the hood, the device has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset, and 2GB RAM/16GB storage or 3GB RAM/32GB storage variants. On the optics front, the device has a rear facing 13-megapixel sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, PDAF, and LED flash. On the front is a 5MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture.

Audio Accessories

Apart from smartphones, Xiaomi has a few deals in its audio department as well. The Xiaomi over-ear Mi Comfort Headphones will be avilable at a price of Rs 2699, they usually retail for Rs 2999. The Mi In-Ear Headphones will be available at Rs 499 instead of Rs 599. The Mi Bluetooth Speaker Basic 2 will also be available to buy during the sale.

Xiaomi will be planning to sell more handsets when the sale starts and pile on the million sales it did during the Amazon and Flipkart sale.

September 26, 2017
Audio Technica Announces New Headphones Lineup Including The MSR7 For The Indian Market

Audio Technica on 25th September announced 4 new headphones and a new distributor for the consumer segment products in India. The new headphones announced are the ATH-ANC series, the ATH-ADX5000 and the flagship ATH-MSR37. Audio Technica has also appointed KEI Hi-Fi as their consumer category product distributor for India.

ATH-ANC Series

ATH-ANC series

Audio Technica has announced three new headphones in the ATH-ANC series, the in-ear ATH-ANC40BT, and ATH-ANC50iS and ATH-ANC70 over-ear headphones. The ANC in the name stands for Active Noise Cancelation and all the three headphones feature QuietPoint active
noise-cancelation. The ANC40BT are in-ear type headphones, up to 90% noise-cancellation, and 8 hours of battery life. If you do manage to run out of battery, the earphones will work as wired earphones thanks to the 1.2 meter long cable provided by the company. The ATH-ANC50iS provides up to 87% noise cancellation and features an in-line microphone and controller for answering calls and controlling music. The headphones feature a 40mm driver to deliver the sound and just like ANC40BT, will work even if the battery runs out. The ATH-ANC70 provide up to 90% noise-cancelation and have 40mm drivers just like the ANC50iS. The ATH-ANC70 folds flat for storage and comes with a hard-carrying case, a 1/4-inch adapter and airline adapter. The included AAA battery provides up to 40 hours of operation, according to Audio Technica. All the three headphones will be priced in the Rs. 6990 to Rs. 16990 category.

ATH-AR3BT

The new AR3BT over-ear headphones feature NFC for easy pairing and comes in black or white colour finish with gold trim. The headphones have a 40mm driver similar to the ANC series and Audio Technica claims that a top mounted circuit board design allows fluid movement of the diaphragm to minimise distortion. This should result in clear audio output at any volume levels. These headphones are equipped for long listening sessions and feature a 30 hour battery life. Just like the other Bluetooth headphones announced, the AR3BT has a 1.2 meter long cable to listen to music when the battery dies out. The ATH-AR3BT will be available in October 2017, priced at Rs 13,990.

ATH-ADX5000

The ADX5000 has a 58mm driver to deliver the sound. You will need an amplifier or a an amp to experience the full capabilities of these headphones as an average smartphone might not be equipped for a 58mm driver. It has an impedance of 420 ohms and weight around 270 gm. According to Audio Technica, the ATH-ADX5000? s ear pads and headband are wrapped in Alcantara which results in comfortable long-hours of listening sessions.

ATH-MSR7SE

Audio Technica has also announced the blue and gold AT-MSR7 Special Edition headphones. The premium headphones are over-the-ear type and feature the limited edition navy blue finish and gold accent. The technology is inspired by the MSR9 and features the “specially-tuned” 45mm True Motion drivers with a Diamond-like Carbon (DLC) coated diaphragm. Audio-Technica says the limited edition MSR7SE have new pads that are “shaped to boost the lower end Sonics” and will furthermore lead to improved noise isolation.

Audio Technica states that

The ATH-MSR7SE’s high-resolution sonic performance is further enhanced with a new 6N-OFC oxygen-free copper 1.2-metre cable. Offering 99.99997% copper purity, this cable enables a purer audio transmission for increased clarity and accuracy. In addition to the high-grade 6N-OFC cable, those listening on a smartphone can connect a 1.2 metre cable featuring inline controls and a microphone while a 3.0-metre cable with a longer reach for listening at home is also supplied. To keep the headphones pristine in transit a more robust carry case is provided, while all four cables can be stored in a dedicated carry pouch.

Talking about its appointment of KEI Hi-Fi as the consumer category product distributor, Manabu Aoki, Audio Technica Corporation Japan?s General Manger for the International Division said:

India has been a challenging market for our brand in the consumer segment, with it?s vast geography and varied market requirements. This appointment (of KEI Hi-Fi) will aid Audio-Technica in increasing the distribution spread quickly and offer partners and end users the same rich brand experience that Audio-Technica is known for worldwide and enable us to achieve market shares similar to our other export countries

The new line of headphones will be available from October 2017 in India

September 25, 2017
Great Smartphone And Tech Accessories Deals On Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale

The Amazon Great Indian Festival sale is on and there are some great deals on tech that can help you save some money. From smartphones to headphones to more storage options, let’s take a look at top tech deals that are available right now.

Moto G5 Plus

The Moto G5 Plus was launched in early 2017 and received great reviews for its camera performance. Even today, The Moto G5 Plus’ camera is considered one of the best in its price category. The device has a 5.2 inch 1920 x 1080 px display. The Moto G5 Plus has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor with 2.0 GHz octa-core CPU and 650 MHz Adreno 506 GPU, 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage which is expandable via microSD card. On the optics front, the smartphone has a 12MP f/1.7 camera with dual-focus pixels and can record 4K video and 5MP front-facing camera.

Nokia 6

Nokia 6 has a 5.5 inch 1920 x 1080 px display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 on top for protection. It runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box and is powered by a 3000 mAh battery. Under the hood, the device has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset, 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage which is expandable via microSD card. On the optics front, the Nokia 6 has a 16MP rear-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture. On the front is an 8MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture and both the cameras record 1920 x 1080 px videos at 30fps.

LG Q6

The LG Q6 was recently launched in India for a price of Rs 14,990. It sports a 5.5 inch 2160 x 1080 px IPS LCD display. The device is powered by a 3,000mAh non-removable battery and runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat with LG’s custom skin on top of it. The LG Q6 packs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 chipset with a 1.4GHz octa-core processor and Adreno 505 GPU along with 3GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage which is expandable via microSD card up to 2TB. It features a single 13MP rear-facing camera with a single LED flash and on the front is a wide-angle 5MP sensor.

Mi 10,000 mAh Power Bank

The Mi 10,000 mAh power bank is ideal for people who travel a lot or power users who need to charge their phone more often than others. This power bank will charge an average phone at least three times and you can charge this power bank up overnight. It is sturdy and can survive a few drops here or there.

Bose Quiet Comfort 25

The premium noise canceling headphones by Bose are critically acclaimed and available at a great price right now. The wire can be detached for easy carrying and the case for the headphones make it easier to carry the over-the-ear headphones around. The Bose Quiet Comfort retail for around 25000 but, right now are available for a price of Rs 15,100 on Amazon!

JBL Go Speaker

The JBL GO speaker is compact, powerful and provides a great price-to-performance experience. The speaker retails for Rs 3,490 but during the sale, it’s available for Rs 1,899.

TP-Link Wireless Router

The TP-Link Wireless Router is an essential for good internet connection at your home or office. It has a data transfer rate of 300 MB per second and has all the essential ports you might need to setup your internet connection. It usually retails for around Rs 1,499 but is right now available for Rs 849 on Amazon.

September 21, 2017
The Bose Quiet Comfort 25 Headphones Are On Sale For A Price Of Rs 15119

The Bose Quiet Comfort 25 headphones are without a doubt, one of the best premium headphones in the market right now. The active noise cancellation on these headphones is great and because the headphones are wired, it has a great sound reproduction as well. The Bose QC 25 retails for about Rs 25200 in India, but, right now, you can buy these headphones at a price of Rs 15119 which is a great deal for the quality of these noise canceling headphones.

The wire is detachable to carry them with ease and the carrying case which comes with the headphones makes it easier to fit these headphones inside a backpack. The ear cups are comfortable and won’t trouble you during long music listening sessions. The sound is a very subjective thing, hence, the ideal sound profile will vary from person to person, but, if you like a more balanced sound rather than a bass-heavy profile, then the Bose QC 25 are the ideal pair of headphones.

September 20, 2017
Top Tech Deals At The Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale

The Amazon Great Indian Festival Sale for Amazoon Prime members is now live and we take a look at the top 10 tech deals available during the sale. People without Amazon Prime membership will be able to access these deals from September 21.

Seagate Backup 4TB Hard drive

This Seagate 4TB storage hard drive is ideal for people who hate deleting their old data and like to carry it with them wherever they go. The hard drive has USB 3.0 transfer speeds and is backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports at USB 2.0 transfer speeds. The hard drive comes with 3 years of warranty as well. It retails at a price of Rs 22,199 but, during the sale, it will be available for a price of Rs 9,499.

WD Elements 1TB Hard Drive

This WD hard drive is light, portable and gives you an extra 1TB of storage in case you run out of the onboard storage on your desktop or laptop. This hard drive also has USB 3.0 transfer speeds and a 2-year warranty.

SanDisk 64GB Class 10 Memory Card

The SanDisk 64GB Class 10 Memory Card is water, dust and shock proof. If you need more storage in your smartphone and your phone has a microSD card slot, this memory card is ideal. Even if your phone doesn’t support microSD card, yiu can store your media in this card and carry it with you along with a USB OTG card reader and consume media on the go without hampering your phone’s onboard storage.

Samsung Gear S3 Smartwatch

The Samsung Gear S3 is an ideal smartwatch for you if you have an Android smartphone. The smartwatch has 1.3-inch 360×360 Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen display, Corning Gorilla Glass SR+ and is IP68 certified water and dust resistant. It has a dual-core 1GHz CPU, 768MB RAM, and 4GB onboard storage.

Honor Band 3

The fitness tracker is ideal for people who want to keep a track of their activity but do not necessarily need a fancy smartwatch. The Honor Band 3 tracks your steps, sleep and is water resistant up to 50m.It has a heart rate monitor and a battery life of up to 30 days. Moreover, it has smart notifications to reduce your interaction with your smartphone while you’re busy or driving.

Lenovo Yoga Tab 3

The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 has 4G LTE connectivity and an 8-inch 1280 x 800 px display. It has an 8MP primary camera with autofocus and an 8MP front-facing camera, 1.3GHz Qualcomm APQ8009/MSM8909 quad-core processor, 1GB RAM, and 16GB onboard storage. The tablet is powered by a massive 6200 mAh battery and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box.

Samsung Evo Plus 32GB Memory Card

If you’re looking for a memory card with high transfer speeds and durability, the Samsung Evo Plus memory card is for you. The microSD card has a 32GB storage and fast read and write speeds up to 95mbps and 20mbps respectively. The included SD adapter makes it compatible with even more devices whilst retaining the high transfer speeds.

SoundBot Bluetooth Speaker

The Soundbot Bluetooth Speaker has 40mm premium drivers for both active outdoor and indoor use. The speaker comes equipped with Bluetooth 3.0 and has a 3.5mm AUX output as well. The speaker is shipped with 1 year of manufacturer’s warranty as well. The average battery life of the Soundbot Bluetooth Speaker is 10 hours.

Acer Switch 10.1 inch Laptop

This laptop is ideal for people who are not power users and just need a device for general media consumption and document editing. The Acer Switch has a 1.44GHz Intel Atom x5-Z8300 processor, 2GB DDR3L RAM, and 32GB flash storage. The laptop runs Windows 10 Home and has a battery life of 12 hours.

Apple MacBook Air 13.3 inch

The Apple MacBook Air for people who want to be a part of the Apple ecosystem but, do not need the power of a MacBook Pro. The MacBook Air has a 1.8GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB LPDDR3 RAM, 128GB Solid State hard drive and, Intel HD Graphics 6000. The MacBook Air is light, portable and efficient. It usually retails for a price of Rs 77,200 but, during the sale it will be available for Rs 55,990.

September 20, 2017
GoPro Hero6 To Capture 4K Videos At 60fps

Soon-to-be-announced tech being leaked is not new in the era we live in. Everyone has a smartphone that can click decent images and hence, leaks are common nowadays. The GoPro is the most famous action camera right now and there have long been rumours of the sequel to the GoPro Hero5, the GoPro Hero6 being launched in September 2017.

Images from Best Buy Canada suggest that the Hero6 Black will record 3840 × 2160p videos at 60fps. This is a first for the GoPro lineup. The new packaging images also suggest that the GoPro Hero6 will record 1920 x 1080p videos 240fps, which is 10 times slower than real-life. According to the packaging, the GoPro Hero6 Black has a 12MP sensor, the resolution same as its predecessor.

The Verge has reported than GoPro will most likely drop Ambarella, which has supplied processors for the company’s cameras for a long time. For the Hero6, GoPro will go for a custom processor called GP1, which will result in improved battery life or image quality. The Karma system will receive a software update that adds a “follow me” mode similar to what’s found on DJI’s drones. The Karma stabilizer grip will also get a physical upgrade and have features like a joystick for aiming the camera. GoPro has plans for the large rollout of its 360-degree Fusion Camera later this year and maybe a part of the announcement as well.

There is no official word on the launch of the GoPro Hero6 yet, but, it might be announced on 28th September. This date seems viable since the Hero5 Black was launched in September 2016. The Hero6 will also subsequently go on sale the day it is announced, just like the Hero5. Leaked images reveal that the GoPro Hero6 Black will retail in Canada for a price of $649 in Canada, which translates to approx. Rs 34000.

September 18, 2017
Unboxing The Asus RT AC5300 Router
Most of us upgrade to new smartphones and more powerful laptops but still end up complaining about low and inconsistent internet speeds. What we forget to do is upgrading our WiFi routers to keep up with the new network bands supported by our high-end smartphones and laptops. New smartphones support A/C WiFi connectivity while our routers are stuck at b or g bands. The new Asus RT AC5300 is not just the most powerful, but, also one of the best routers out there.

Want to play online games without losing connection or slowing speeds or stream 4K videos from your smartphones straight to your television sets? This router will handle it all. The Asus RT AC5300 Router has 8 antennas and is perfect for people who require high-speed internet in a larger space. The router is massive and twice the size of a regular large router and the 8 antennas make it look like a spider.

Let’s unbox the Asus RT AC5300 Router and see what we get
- The Router
- Documentation
- CD for setup
- 8 antennas
- Cable
As far as specifications are concerned, the Asus router has a combined tri-band data rate of 5334Mbps. The router weighs about 1.8kgs and the dimensions are 9.65 x 9.65 x 2.56 inches. The Broadcom NitroQAMTM Technology boosts two 5GHz data rates up to 4334Mbps and 2.4GHz up to 1000Mbps. The router has a Tri-Band Smart Connect feature which automatically selects the fastest of the three available frequency bands for each device, based on the device’s speed, signal strength and how busy each band is. The router also has parental control feature to block certain websites from being accessible to their kids’ devices. The app for the router lets you set it up if you don’t want to use the CD provided in the box.
September 14, 2017
Apple Launches Apple TV 4K Starting At US$179

Apple has announced a much-awaited upgrade to its Apple TV lineup which is now capable of playing movies and TV shows at 4K Ultra HD resolution.

Under the hood, the Apple TV 4K now features an A10X Fusion processor, the same as what’s currently in the iPad Pro and 3GB of RAM. This upgraded internals should allow for smooth playback of 4K content at up to 60 frames per second. Apple is also concentrating on HDR with the latest Apple TV, as it supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10. These high dynamic range technologies allow for brighter highlights and an expanded range of colors on television sets that support HDR.

The Apple TV 4K will also start streaming live sports later in 2017. Apple has announced that Netflix and Amazon Prime Video will bring its titles to Apple TV 4K. With the A10X Fusion chip, Apple TV 4K will be able to handle high-end gaming as well which can be streamed to your 4K TV.

The Apple TV 4K starts at Rs 15900 for 32GB or Rs 17900 for 64GB and will go on sale in India later this month or early October.

September 12, 2017
Apple HomePod Spotted Ahead Of December Launch

Apple unveiled the HomePod during its annual WWDC event in 2017 and is expected to officially launch it in December. A recent Instagram post by, who seems like a supply chain worker, of the HomePod has shed more light on what the smart speaker will look like when it is launched. The user posted a photo of the speaker on Instagram with the hashtag #HomePod and the location is pinned to Shanghai, China. In the image, what seems like the user’s kitchen, you can see the HomePod, a charger, and its box.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYfhudMAzIN/

Later, a Twitter user posted a screenshot showing a HomePod appeared in the control center of his iPhone while driving through Menlo Park in California. The HomePod is labeled ‘Kitchen’ and it seems like an Apple employee is testing the smart speaker in their home. Lately, HomePod has been in the news for more being more than just a smart speaker. After Apple accidentally released the firmware of HomePod, several details about the upcoming iPhone were fished out by experts, ranging from a virtual home button to facial recognition to bezel-less display.

https://twitter.com/BenedictEvans/status/905977272959512576

The two images barely reveal anything about the HomePod and a lot of it was already revealed by the firmware. The launch of the HomePod is set for December, but, before December comes, the September 12 launch event is just around the corner where Apple might announce the all new iPhone. Stay tuned for more details.

September 8, 2017

Harman Launched Google Assistant And Alexa Powered Smart Speakers At IFA 2017

One of the biggest tech event of the year, the IFA 2017 tech show in Berlin has been a platform for various tech firms to debut everything ranging from Wi-Fi fridges to smartphones. Aside from the newly launched flagships like the LG V30 and the Xperia XZ1, smart assistants, luxury headphones, Bluetooth speakers and smart audio gear were some of the devices showcased at the IFA 2017.

Sinc the demand for smart speakers has surged in the recent past with the entry of Amazon Echo and Google Home, Harman is hedging its bets on smart speakers with the launch of two Google assistant and Alexa powered smart speakers.

Harman Kardon Allure

The Alexa powered, Harman Kardon Allure can be controlled via voice commands. The smart speaker lets you order pizza, play music, read the news, control your smart home appliances, make purchases from Amazon, and much more. Harman Kardon Allure features far-field voice technology which allows the speaker to hear commands even from a far distance. The speaker’s 360-degreeambient lighting that glows in time with the music. The Harman Kardon Allure is priced at $249.95 (approximately Rs 16000) and is available at Amazon.

KEY FEATURES

Amazon Alexa Voice Control

Dual-band Wi-Fi

Far-field Voice Recognition

Built-in four-microphone array with advanced noise cancellation

360-degree sound

Ambient lighting

Wireless Bluetooth streaming

JBL Link Series

The company’s other smart speaker offering includes Google Assistant powered JBL Link series, the LINK 10, LINK 20, and LINK 300. The Google Assistant built-in smart speakers let you stream music, ask questions, manage everyday tasks, etc, by waking the device by saying “Ok, Google”. The LINK 10 and LINK 20 speakers have the IPX7 waterproof design. Both the smart speakers have 5 and 10 hours of battery life, respectively. The smart speakers can be easily linked together using any home Wi-Fi network. The LINK 10, LINK 20 and LINK 300 are priced at $149, $199 and $249, respectively.

KEY FEATURES	LINK 10 \| LINK 20 \| LINK 300
Built-In Google Assistant	Yes
Chromecast built-in with multi-room music playback	Yes
Speaker output power	2x8W \| 2x10W \| 50W
Bluetooth	Yes
Battery Life	5 Hours \| 10 Hours \| NA
Dimensions (mm x mm x mm)	86 x 169 \| 93 x 210 \| 236 x 134 x 154
Waterproof	IPX7 Rating

Voice controlled smart speakers are one of the most upcoming trends of 2017. And with Amazon’s Echo, Google Home and Apple’s upcoming HomePod, it will be interesting to see how Harman’s smart speakers will stack against its rivals.

September 2, 2017

Top Tech And Accessories Under Rs 2000

From headphones to memo writers, our top tech under Rs 2000 list has everything! Here are the top 10 tech and accessories under Rs 2000 for your next shopping spree.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VV2wfvLD64[/embedyt]

Amkette GamePad Pro 2

This gamepad is ideal if you’re an ardent smartphone gamer, or just like a controller over touch controls on your smartphone. The rubberised grip makes it comfortable to handle for long gaming sessions and the Bluetooth connectivity gives you an option to place your phone a little further is you like.

Portronics Ruffpad

This nifty little gadget is ideal for you if you are someone who forgets what they need to buy for the house. It has a magnetic back so you can stick this memo taker on your fridge and keep an updated shopping list right in front of you. The Ruffpad has an easy delete button and a battery that’ll last you up to one year.

Reos Lite Smart Bulb

Smart bulbs are fast becoming an essential tech to have at your home or office. This Reos Lite smart bulb costs Rs 1499 and connects via Bluetooth to your smartphone or tablet. One of the features of the Reos Lite bulb is that it can be synced with your music player and the colour of the bulb changes colour according to the current song.

AmazonBasics Waterproof Speaker

The AmazonBasics waterproof speaker produces great sound for its price and if you are into outdoor music sessions, this speaker is waterproof as well. The speaker also has rubberised exterior for impact resistance and has a battery life of up to 12 hours of music playback.

Fitmate Z1 Fitness Tracker

This fitness tracker has a touchscreen and even monitors your sleep. Its fitness feature includes steps, a pedometer, distance, calories record, sleep monitor and move alert. You can even set an alarm on Fitmate Z1 fitness tracker and it has a battery life of up to 7 days.

Xiaomi Smart Power Strip

This is a power strip you would need at your home. It’s the new-age power strip that does more than just charging your appliances. It connects to an app which enables you to timely switch it off to avoid over-charging and electricity consumption. It also lets you measure the electricity it has consumed.

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Audio Technica ATH-AX1iSWH

The Audio Technica over ear headphones cost about Rs 1700 and offer a great price-to-performance ratio. It is available in 5 different colours on Amazon India. The headphones have a 36mm driver to produce the sound and the cushioned ear pads are comfortable for long hours of music listening sessions.

Mi In Ear Pro Headphones

If you are on the look out for a pair of in-ear type earphones, then the Mi Pro earphones fit the bill for you. The earphones are made out of a high-quality metal alloy and come with a 1.25-meter cable. The earphones have a total sensitivity of 98 decibels and a speaker impedance of 32 ohms.

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Zakk iDisk Memory Cable

The Zakk iDisk is a great little memory device for your iPhone which also doubles up as charging cable. It has a 32GB memory and you can store all kinds of media in it if your iPhone doesn’t have enough onboard storage left. The companion app allows you to directly take pictures from the app and store in the memory cable.

Xiaomi Wireless Mouse

This little mouse is your perfect travel companion. If you hate using your laptop’s trackpad and carrying a chunky wired mouse is even more annoying, then Xiaomi Portable Mouse is tailor-made for you. It requires 2 AAA batteries to run and compatibility won’t be an issue.

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September 1, 2017
Sony Launches The Smart Speaker LF-S50G To Rival Amazon Echo, Google Home

Sony has launched its first smart speaker, the LF-S50G powered by Google Assistant at a price of USD 199 (Rs 12,700 approx.). The smart speaker will enter the market dominated by the likes of Amazon Echo and Google Home.

The inclusion of the Google Assistant means that it will work almost identical to the Google Home and has plenty of power to fill “the average room” with sound, Sony claims. The smart speaker looks very similar to the Apple HomePod with a white speaker mesh wrapped around a metal frame. It is, however, a little taller and slimmer than the Apple HomePod, and there’s a slender silver base which houses the power port and two buttons. It has two microphones, which is same as Google Home, however, Apple’s HomePod has six and the Amazon’s Echo has seven for improved audio recognition. Both microphones on the Sony LF-S50G are positioned on the top of the speaker, with a rubberized cap to ensure splash resistance.

Since the speaker is powered by Google Assistant, it’ll work for timers, Google searches, your calendar, controlling your smart home, and more. The top of the smart speaker also supports gesture controls. A rotation of a finger clockwise over the top of the speaker will increase volume, and movement in the opposite direction reduces it. You can also skip back and forth between songs by moving your palm over the top of the speaker, left to right to skip forward, and the other way to skip back a track. The smart speaker is equipped with a 360-degree speaker setup, a downward woofer, and an upward tweeter, delivering sound in all directions.

The smart speaker from Sony boasts something that the Amazon Echo and Google Home miss out, a small matrix-dot display. It can provide you with useful info such as the time and the volume level and, seamlessly disappears in the speaker mesh if you do not want it.

Sony says the LF-S50G release date is set for mid-October with a retail price of $199 (Rs 12,700) and will be available in Blue, White, and Black colour variants, but, there is no word about the speaker entering the Indian market, yet.

September 1, 2017