Category: Tech

Latest Technology News, Alternative, Bio-Tech, Medical, R&D and Innovations

Twitter Updated With Pleasing Colour Schemes And Dark Mode
Twitter is one of the most popular social media platforms. The microblogging website/application is an active service that is provided to its large user base. Similar to Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram; Twitter too has a refresh cycle in which it upgrades certain aspects related to its service. The social media giant has now announced a refreshed new look for its desktop version of the official website.

https://twitter.com/Twitter/status/1150812293124546561?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1150812293124546561&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fthenextweb.com%2Fapps%2F2019%2F07%2F15%2Ftwitter-launches-its-faster-cleaner-design-including-new-color-themes%2F

Previously, Twitter was rumoured to overhaul its aesthetics which has now finally been unveiled. The social network is live with its new skin today (16th of July) and it seeks to offer a more streamlined experience; it goes in line with its mobile application iteration. For a quick look here are all the notable changes that have been made:

Changelog
- Users now have two additional options with dark mode alongside various other themes and colour options.
- The ‘Explore’ tab is now available on desktop for easier navigation to find live videos or location based posts on Twitter.
- Direct Messages now offers a larger view which enables users to respond to multiples messages on the same screen.
- It is now much easier to navigate the side menu as Bookmarks, Lists and Profile as they are now found on the left margin.
- The sidebar menu allows for seamless switching between different user accounts.
According to the company, the changes are built upon a major revamp of Twitter’s back end architecture with Twitter.com being remade from scratch. The new changes were made to offer a clean, intuitive and more faster user interface experience to all. It ensures a more efficient platform that have a more unified experience across multiple platforms like PC and smartphones. For example, tablet users are able to use keyboard shortcuts similar to desktop users. Furthermore, the refreshed website will only load features as and when required to save on data on metered connections.

Also Read: Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC For Gaming Smartphones

Twitter has claimed that its has worked on the aforementioned changes with “hundreds of thousands of responses.” The feedback was received during the testing period which paved the way for the final design. The new look is rolling out gradually and will not be available to everyone immediately. For those who wish to acquire the changes, simply click on your avatar and opt to “Try the new Twitter.” The fresh aesthetics will have its fair share of likes and dislikes, but to us it offers a unique and clean interface. Do let us know what you think of the new changes.
July 16, 2019
Asus ROG 2 Gaming Smartphone Leaks, Features A 120 Hz Display
Asus was one of the first companies to launch a purpose built gaming smartphone which is dubbed the Asus ROG (Repulic Of Gamers) Phone. The handset has a variety of features that make it stand apart from conventional Android smartphones. Some of the said features include a display with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and multiple USB C ports for connecting various accessories simultaneously.

Asus ROG Phone 2 120 Hz Display

Follwing the success of the orignal gaming smartphone, Asus is bracing for the launch of its second handset which will carry the “ROG Phone 2” moniker. The upcoming smartphone is set to be unveiled on the 23rd of July and a week before the official announcement, real life images of the upcoming flagship have surfaced online.

As per the leaked images, the ROG Phone 2 will have a similar design language to its predecessor. Accordingly, the front of the smartphone accomodates a large display which has considerable bezels on the top and bottom. The upcoming device retains dual front firing speakers and a single selfie camera which is housed in the bezel above the display.

Asus ROG Phone 2 Display

Noteworthy, the ROG Phone 2 is the world’s first smartphone to feature a 120 Hz refresh rate which is a significant step up from its preceding device. However, the display technology that the device will incorporate is not yet know. It will either be an OLED panel like the original ROG Phone or a Super AMOLED panel.

Furthermore, the big bulky reviewer box of the Asus ROG Phone 2 has also leaked which is expected to be packed with gaming focused accessories like detachable gamepad controller and rear mountable cooling fan.

Asus ROG Phone 2 Reviewers Box

Beside being the world’s first smartphone with 120 Hz refresh rate display, it will also be the world’s first smartphone to feature the Snapdragonn 855 Plus SoC which is upto 15 percent faster than the standard variant. Other specifications of the device are currently unavailable, nonetheless, assumptions can still be made. The ROG Phone 2 is expected to have the following features:

Asus ROG Phone 2 Expected Features
- Display: 6.6 inch, 120 Hz Refresh Rate
- Display Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass 6
- RAM: 8 GB, 10 GB, 12 GB
- ROM: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB
- Front Camera: 16 MP
- Rear Camera: 48 MP Sony IMX586 + Depth Sensor
- Battery: 5,000 mAh, 30 W Fast Charging
- Operating System: Zen UI, Android 9 Pie
Also Read: Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC For Gaming Smartphones

Conclusively, the precise details incluing specifications and price of the ROG Phone 2 will be publicised at the official launch event which is set for the 23rd of July.
July 16, 2019
Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC For Gaming Smartphones

American chipmaker Qualcomm launched its latest flagship mobile processor, the Snapdragon 855 SoC; last year in the month of December. The chipset has since been seen in most Android flagship smartphones this year including the OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro, Asus 6Z, Nubia Red Magic 3 and the Redmi K20 Pro. Now, in a bid to capture the ever increasing gaming trend in mobile devices, the company has announced the Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC. It offers slight upgrades in the CPU and GPU of the chipset which should offer a better gaming experience.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus as the name suggests, is a slightly tuned version of the Snapdragon 855 SoC. While not a successor, the newest chipset is specifically designed for gaming smartphones to offer better performance. In terms of the difference between the chipsets, the major change in the latest mobile processor is that is bumps up the Prime CPU core clock speed up to 2.96GHz. This is a significant increase from the 2.84GHz clock speed on the Prime core of the previous version. Apart from the CPU, the Adreno 640 GPU on the new Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC boasts of a 15 percent performance increase over the GPU in the Snapdragon 855. Other than the aforementioned differences, other specifications of the two chipsets remain the same.

Snapdragon 855

Also read: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER Review

While the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus is the newest offering by the company; it isn’t expected to totally replace the Snapdragon 855 in most of the flagship smartphones launching this year. This is because of the performance increase in the newest chipset will mean that it will generate more heat. Other than gaming handsets, the cooling solutions on most flagship devices may not be suited to handle the amount of heat generated on the peak load of the processor. Furthermore, Taiwanese electronics giant Asus has already announced that its next gaming smartphone, the ROG Phone 2, will be the first in the world to feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC. The device will launch on the 23rd of July, so we don’t have to wait long to see the newest chipset in action.

July 16, 2019
These Samsung Galaxy S11 Renders Based On Patents Are Breathtaking

In the month of February, Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S10 lineup of smartphones which are significantly different that their predecessors (1). As it seemed Samsung can relax for while as the launch of the future flagship is still distant, a freshly granted patent which allegedly corresponds to the Galaxy S11 has surprised us.

The patent which supposedly belongs to the Samsung Galaxy S11 has been granted to the company by KIPO (Korean Intellectual Property Office). According to the drawings in the document, the upcoming Galaxy S smartphone will have an expandable display which extends from the right side of the device. Based on the reference images, a German blog named Letsgodigital has created life like 3D renders of the handset which look absolutely astounding.

Accordingly, the upcoming Galaxy S11 might be Samsung’s second attempt, after Galaxy Fold to accomodate a large screen display on a compact smartphone. Similar to current gen Samsung Galaxy S handsets, the device in the patent also has a punch hole which seems to house an earpiece grill and dual front cameras.

Unforntunately, the patent lacks any information about the functioning of the display. However, it is possible that Samsung might use a rollable display on this device which will tuck itself into a reel like shape when in the closed position. This mechanism could be similar to what is expected with the predicted Sony smartphone.

Having such a display on a smartphone can open up whole new world of possibilities. As a device like this can serve a dual purpose of both a smartphone and a tablet. Nevertheless, conceptualising such a visionary smartphone is easy but turning into a real life device is quite challenging.

Also Read: Realme X With Pop Up Selfie Camera Launched In India

Even though the probability of such a display being equipped on the Galaxy S11 are considerably low. However, with the kind of money Samsung expends on R&D, we believe it is only a matter of time that such technology is available at the consumber level.

July 15, 2019
Besides HongMeng OS, Huawei Is Also Developing Harmony OS

In the Q2 of 2019, Huawei had to face a major setback after it was entitled to an entity list by the US Commerce Department. This step revoked all American companies from having any sort of trade relations with the Chinese organisation. The major impact of this move was faced by Huawei’s smartphone business which was left stranded after Google was forced to withdraw support of Android OS. Nevertheless, it led to the revelation that Chinese company had been developing its very own operating since 2012 which is called HongMeng OS. Now, a new report states that besides, HongMeng OS, the company is developing another OS which is called Harmony OS.

According to past reports, the HongMeng OS, although nearly ready, is not slated to ship on its handsets post US ban being lifted. The company had planned to introduce the new OS to its other products (like consumer grade home appliances) rather than smartphones. The news arrives after Android is confirmed to be utilized by the company as its primary OS. Notably, HongMeng OS is stated to be faster than both Android OS and MacOS, even if it is not planned for PC, laptops and handsets.

Huawei had filed a trademark application in the EU Intellectual Property Office for its new operating system. In comparison to HongMeng OS, Harmony OS is being built specifically for its diverse range of smartphones. It is probably under development to address future concerns of a similar ban being levied on the company again. Furthermore, Huawei is hosting its developers conference on August 9th through 11th at the company’s Songshan Lake campus. The main focus of the event will be 5G but more news regarding the potential Android replacement OS can be expected to be unveiled then.

Also Read: Realme X With Pop Up Selfie Camera Launched In India

The company is taking cautious steps post the ban. It is evident that future ban scares is one of the major driving force behind the development of Harmony OS. Huawei is decreasing its dependency on the west and US based companies through the new OS. No finer details are available as of now but more updates are expected in the arriving weeks.

July 15, 2019
Realme 3i Launched In India
On the 15th of July, Realme held a launch event in India which saw the unveiling of the Realme X and the Realme 3i. The former is a mid range handset while the latter is a budget focused offering. The Realme 3i is a watered down variant of the Realme 3 which was launched in the month of March.

Realme 3i Specs and Design

The front of the Realme 3i accommodates a 6.22 inch display that has an HD+ resolution. It also features a waterdrop notch up top which houses the selfie camera. The rear unibody shell of the handset is made out of composite plastic that has a Diaomond finish.

The rear panel of the Realme 3i accommodates the dual rear camera setuep, Realme branding and a slightly recessed Fingerprint sensor. The rear camera setup consists of an f/1.8 aperture equipped 13 MP sensor and a 2 MP sensor. The smartphone also supports Nightscape mode which allows in capturing well lit images even in places which are dark or have poor lighting conditions

Click here to pre-book the Realme 3i

The right side of the Realme 3i is occupied by the volume rockers and SIM card+ microSD triple slot tray while the right side is occupied by the power button. The bottom of the smartphone houses the Micro USB port, loudspeaker grille, 3.5 mm audio jack and a microphone pinhole.

The Redmi 3i is kitted with the Helio P60 SoC which consists of a Mali-G72 MP3 GPU and an Octa-Core CPU. The device is powered by a large 4,230 mAh battery which can be charged with 10 watts of maximum power. It runs on Color OS 6.0 which is built on top of the latest Android 9.0 Pie.

Connectivity options on the Realme 3i include Dual 4G VoLTE, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, 3.5 mm audio jack and Micro USB port for charging and data transfer.

Price, Availablity and Colours

Also Read: Amazon Prime Day Sale, Best Gaming Laptops

The Realme 3i Pro is available in three colour options which include Diamond Black, Diamond Blue and Diamond Red. It is offered in two storage variants for which the price is as follows:
- 3 GB RAM + 32 GB ROM – Rs 7,999
- 4 GB RAM + 64 GB ROM – Rs 9,999
In addition to the inbuilt storage, it also accepts memory cards upto 256 GB via the dedicated microSD slot. The device will be available for purchase from Flipkart.com and Reliance Digital stores from the 23rd of July.

Click here to pre-book the Realme 3i
July 15, 2019
Realme X With Pop Up Selfie Camera Launched In India
Chinese smartphone maker, Realme launched its latest smartphone in China, in the month of May which is dubbed the Realme X. Three months later its Chinese debut, the handset has also been launched in India. The newly launched device will compete against the likes of the Redmi K20 which is set to launch on the 17th of July in the country. The key highlighting features of the Realme X include a pop up selfie camera and an edge-to-edge AMOLED display with a built in fingerprint sensor.

Realme X Features and Build

The front of the Realme X accommodates a 6.53 inch AMOLED display that has a pixel density of 394 ppi. To prevent the display against scratches and accidental drops, it is safeguarded with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. To safely and rapidly log in to user interface it has an inbuilt fingerprint sensor. The handset runs on ColorOS 6 which is built on top of Android 9 Pie.

Click here to pre-book the Realme X

The Realme X is kitted with the Snapdragon 710 SoC which consists of an Octa Core CPU along with Adreno 616 GPU. The 8 cores on the chipset are divided in two different clusters which provide the best of both worlds i.e is performance and battery backup. The clocks speed and architecture of the 8 cores are as follows:
- 2×2.2 GHz Kryo 360 Gold
- 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 360 Silver
The rear of the Realme X has an attractive gradient panel which is made out of plastic and it houses a dual camera setup and company branding. The rear camera setup of the smartphone is comprised of an f/1.7 aperture equipped 48 MP PDAF sensor, a f/2.4 aperture equipped depth sensor that has a resolution of 5 MP and an LED flash. Noteworthy the 48 MP camera is the Sony IMX586 sensor which is also found of the Honor View 20 and Redmi Note 7 Pro.

The Realme X also features a motorised pop up on top which houses the 16 MP selfie camera. The device can also capture 2160p videos from the rear camera setup while the front sensor can capture 1080p videos. It is powered by a 3,500 mAh battery which supports 20 W VOOC 3.0 fast charging.

Realme X Price, Colours, Storage Variants and Availability

Also Read: Mi Super Bass Wireless Headphones Launched In India

The Realme X is offered in a total of 5 colour variants which include Polar White, Space Blue, Spider Man Edition, Garlic Edition and Onion Edition. The handset will be available for purchase starting the 23rd of July from Flipkart.com and Reliance digital offline stores. It is available in two storage variants for which the prices are as follows:
- 4 GB + 128 GB- Rs 16,999
- 8 GB + 128 GB- Rs 19,999
- 8 GB + 128 GB- Rs 20,999 (Spider Man Edition)
Click here to pre-book the Realme X
July 15, 2019
Chandrayaan 2 Mission Called Off By ISRO, Will Be Launched At A Later Date

The Indian Space Research Organisation or ISRO for short is the official space agency of the Government of India. It was expected to launch the much-awaited Chandrayaan 2 mission to the Moon on Monday, that is the 15th if July. However, in an unprecedented move, ISRO has postponed the space mission due to some unforeseen technical problems.

Chandrayaan 2

A technical snag was observed in launch vehicle system at 1 hour before the launch. As a measure of abundant precaution, #Chandrayaan2 launch has been called off for today. Revised launch date will be announced later.
— ISRO (@isro) July 14, 2019

The Chandrayaan 2 mission from ISRO is the successor to the extremely successful Chandrayaan-1 mission from the year 2008. According to the official Twitter handle of the organisation, a technical snag was observed in the launch vehicle around 1 hour before the launch. To make sure the mission goes as smoothly as planned, It has thus cancelled its flight. The new launch date is expected to be announced in the following days. Interestingly, the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, along with many international journalists were present at Sriharikota to witness the launch of the Chandrayaan 2 mission. This is also the second time the launch date of the mission has been pushed back. Earlier in the month of April, ISRO postponed it due to the failure of Israel’s Beresheet mission.

Also read: Mi Super Bass Wireless Headphones Launched In India

ISRO’s Chandrayaan 2 mission has been its biggest one since its inception in 1969. It is set to make India the first country to attempt a soft landing on the South Polar region on the Moon. The total duration of the Chandrayaan 2 mission is one year, the time in which the rover will collect all the necessary data required from the Moon’s surface. The aforementioned problem has allegedly occurred in the GSLV Mk III launch vehicle, which is nicknamed “Bahubali”. Notably, the launch vehicle used by ISRO for the mission will be a GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) Mk III. It is a three-stage heavy-lift launch vehicle developed by the space organisation. The GSLV Mk III is India’s most powerful launcher to date and has been completely designed and fabricated from within the country.

July 15, 2019
Mi Super Bass Wireless Headphones Launched In India
Earlier this month, Xiaomi teased a pair of over-the-ear (OTA) headphones called Mi Super Bass. With the commencement of Amazon Prime Day, the wireless audio accessory has been launched in the country. The key highlighting features of the wireless headphones include 40 mm audio drivers and upto 20 hour music playback on a single charge. Like other Xiaomi products, the Mi Super Bass headphones are aggressively priced and cost Rs 1,799.

Mi Super Bass Wireless Design and Features

The Mi Super Bass Wireless headphones are primarily built out of plastic while the ear cups are made out of soft foam which will provide for a comfortable fit even when worn for extended periods of time. Besides, the headband is also cushioned with the similar foam as the ear cups. The left ear cup on the audio accessory accomodates three control buttons which can be used to control all the functions like power on/off, play or pause and changing the music track.

The Mi Super Bass wireless headphones weigh 150 gram which is evenly balanced across both the ear cups. The wireless headphones have Bluetooth 5.0 which offers a range of upto 10 m. Besides being used wirelessly, they can even be used be in a wired configuration depending on the convenience of the user. As previously mentioned, they can offer a battery backup of upto 20 hours. In terms of battery capacity, the Mi Super Bass wireless headphones are powered by 400 mAh power which can be charged via a micro USB port.

Also Read: Amazon Prime Day Sale, Best Deals

The inbuilt battery takes about 2 hours to replenish from 0 to 100 percent charge capacity. The pair wireless headphones also have a built in microphone which can be used for taking voice calls, playing games and communicating with the voice assistant on users smartphone. All in all, the Mi Super Bass Wireless are a premium looking pair wireless headphones which are highly versatile and are priced aggressively. After disrupting affordable smartphone segment, Xiaomi may be able to replicate the same in the audio segment.

Mi Super Bass Wireless Quick Specs
- Battery: 400 mAh
- Charge Time: 2 hours via micro USB port
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0 (range upto 10 m), Auxiliary In
- Audio Driver: 40 MM
- Weight: 150 g
- Price: Rs 1,799
- Colours: Gold, Red
July 15, 2019
Amazon Prime Day Sale, Best Smartphone Deals
On the 15th of July 2015, Amazon marked its 20th anniversary which also led to the introduction of “Prime Day” sale. The sale offers a wide variety of products at heavily discounted prices or exclusive launches which are limited only to the “prime” service subscribers. Similarly, in the year 2019, the Prime Day sale will commence on the 15th of July and will continue till the 16th of July. According4ly, if you are planning to buy a new smartphone, this might be the right time to do so. Attached below is list of handsets that are either being offered on a huge discount or they have just been launched.

OnePlus 7 Mirror Blue

The OnePlus 7 is the successor to the OnePlus 6T and it was announced in the month of May. However, at the time of its launch, the smartphone was available in two colours which include Red and Mirror Grey. The company has now announced the OnePlus 7 in the “Mirror Blue” colour which can be purchased during the Amazon Prime Day Sale.

In terms of features, it accommodates a 6.41 inch AMOLED display on the front that has a water drop notch up top. The OnePlus 7 Mirror Blue, like the other colour variants is powered by a 3700 mAh battery which supports 20 W dash charging. The smartphone has a 16 MP camera on the front and 48 MP + 5 MP dual rear cameras. The OnePlus 7 Mirror Blue is kitted with the Snapdragon 855 which is Qualcomm’s flagship chipset for 2019. The device is offered with 6 RAM + 128 GB ROM which is priced at Rs 32,999.

OnePlus 7 Pro

The OnePlus 7 Pro is the elder sibling to the OnePlus 7 and a premium smartphone that has high end features like a 90Hz refresh rate display and UFS 2.1 storage. The base variant of the handset with 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM starts at Rs 48,999 which might seem steep to some users. However, existing smartphone owners can exchange their current device on Amazon and get a exchange bonus of upto Rs 15,500 which makes the OnePlus 7 Pro a fantastic deal.

Talking about features, the OnePlus 7 Pro has 6.67 inch OLED display that has an impressive refresh rate of 90 Hz. One of its key highlighting features is the motorised pop up on top which houses a 16 MP selfie camera. It is powered by a 4000 mAh battery which supports 30 W Warp charge technology. Like the OnePlus 7, it also features the Snapdragon 855 SoC which consists of an Octa Core CPU and Adreno 640 GPU. It is offered in three colour variants which include Almond, Nebula Blue and Mirror Grey. It is offered in three storage variants for which the prices are listed below. The additional exchange discount of upto Rs 15,500 is available in all three variants.
- 6 GB + 128 GB
- 8 GB + 256 GB
- 12 GB + 256 GB
Samsung Galaxy M40

The Galaxy M40 is the latest addition in Samsung’s mid range smartphone lineup. The device was originally launched on the 11th of June in two colour variants which include Seawater Blue and Dark Blue. With the Amazon Prime Day sale, the company has launched another colour variant of the smartphone which is Cocktail Orange. The distinguishing feature of the Galaxy M40 is a punch hole camera which is also present in the flagship grade Galaxy S10 lineup of smartphones.

The Cocktail Orange variant of the Galaxy M40, like other colour options has a 6.3 inch display that houses a 16 MP punch hole selfie camera. The device has an edge-to-edge display which looks very elegant. It features a triple rear camera setup which is comprised of 32 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP sensors. The Galaxy M40 is powered by 3500 man battery and it is kitted with the Snapdragon 675 SoC. The handset has 6 GB of RAM and 128 GB of ROM which is further expandable upto 512 GB via a microSD card. The Galaxy M40 has a list price of Rs 20,490 but during the Prime Day sale, it is being sold at Rs 19,990.

iPhone XR

The iPhone XR aka the colourful iPhone was launched as an economical offering and it has become the most selling smartphone from Apple in the current launch cycle. The smartphone with 64 GB ROM was originally launched at a price of Rs 76,990 which was previously dropped close to Rs 60,000. However, during the Amazon Prime Day sale, it will sell for Rs 49,999 which is the cheapest since its launch date. Besides, users can also avail an additional exchange discount of upto Rs 10,400.

The iPhone XR features a 6.1 inch LCD display that has a wide notch up top. The rear of the smartphone has a glass back which looks very attractive. For photography, it has a 12 MP camera on the rear and a 7 MP camera on the front. A couple of highlighting features of the iPhone XR include wireless charging support and IP67 rating. The device is available in a whole host of enticing colour options which include White, Black, Blue, Coral, Red and Yellow.

Samsung Galaxy M30

Before the introduction of the Galaxy M40, the Galaxy M30 was the top tier device in the Galaxy M lineup. The Galaxy M30 has a list price of Rs 16,490 however during the Prime Day sale, it offered at a just Rs 13,990 for the variant with 4 GB RAM and 128 GB ROM. The device competes against the likes of the Redmi Note 7 and Realme 3 Pro, but it features a 6.41 inch AMOLED display and 5000 mAh battery which is unparalleled in its segment.

The Galaxy M30 is kitted with the Exynos 7904 SoC which consists of an Octa Core CPU. It has a 16 MP selfie camera which is housed in the water drop notch above the display and triple rear camera setup which consists of 13 MP + 5 MP + 5 MP sensors. It is offered in two colour options which include Gradation Black and Gradation Blue.

Redmi Y3

The Redmi Y3 is Xiaomi’s third selfie centric smartphone which succeed the Redmi Y2 from 2018. The device was originally launched at a price of Rs 9,999 for the base variant but during the Amazon Prime Day Sale, it is being offered at a special discount of Rs 1000. Therefore, Prime member can buy the device at a price of Rs 8,999.

The Redmi Y3 has 6.26 inch display that is safeguarded with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Its key highlighting feature, which is the selfie camera has a remarkably high resolution of 32 MP. The device also has a dual rear camera setup which consists of 12 MP + 2 MP sensor along with an LED flash. The device is kitted with the Snapdragon 632 SoC which is comprised of an Octa Core CPU and Adreno 506 GPU. It is powered by a large 4,000 mAh battery.

Nokia 6.1 Plus

The Nokia 6.1 Plus was originally launched at a price fo Rs 18,499 but with the Prime Day sale it has received a massive price cut of Rs 6500. Subsequently, it can now be purchased for Rs 11,999. The Nokia 6.1 Plus has Glass and Aluminium constructions which provides for a premium design and a robust feel.

The Nokia 6.1 Plus features a 5.8 inch display that has full HD resolution. The device has a total of three cameras, out of which a 16 MP sensor is housed in notch on top of the display. While the remaining 16 MP + 5 MP sensors are placed on the rear. The device has 6 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage which is further expandable upto 400 GB.

Mi A2

The Xiaomi A2 or the Mi A2 is the company’s second Android One certified smartphone which runs on stock Android and provides for a smooth and bloat free experience. It was originally launched at a price fo Rs 17,500 but during the Prime Day sale, it will be offered for Rs 9,999 which is the lowest the device has ever sold for. It features a 5.99 inch display with a pixel density of 403 ppi.

The Mi A2 is kitted with the Snapdragon 660 SoC which consists of an Octa Core CPU. It is powered by a 3,010 mAh battery which might sound small but can provide for a day long battery backup because of Stock Android. The Mi A2 is offered in four colour variant which are as follows:
- Black
- Blue
- Gold
- Red
July 15, 2019
Live Images Of Mi A3 Leak, Official Launch Date Also Revealed

With each passing day, more information about the upcoming Mi A3 from Xiaomi is being revealed. A short while ago, the HD renders of the handset were leaked and now the real life images have also made their way to the internet.

It was previously claimed that the Mi 3 will be the rebadged CC9 which debuted in China earlier this month. The current leak negates the theory and declares it will instead be the rebadged CC9e which is an economical variant of the standard device. Noteworthy, in comparison to CC9e, the upcoming Mi A3 will run on the Android One rather than MIUI and its display will have FHD+ resolution instead of HD+.

Moving forward, the leaked live images of the Mi A3 exhibit that it features a 6.08 inch AMOLED display on the front which also houses and under display fingerprint scanner. Under the hood, the Mi A3 is fitted with the Snapdragon 665 SoC which consists of an Octa Core CPU and Adreno 610 GPU.

The rear of the Mi A3 seems to be made out of glass which houses the company branding, Android One Logo and a triple camera setup. The Android One logo assures that the device is guaranteed to receive atleast two major Android updates and security patches for 3 years.

The triple rear camera setup of the of Mi A3 is aligned in a vertical manner which consists of a 48 MP primary sensor. The rest to sensors are assumed to have a resolution of 8 MP and 2 MP as seen on the CC9e. In addition it also has a LED flash which is mounted below the camera module.

[Tell Mi] What are the top THREE upgrades you just can't wait to see from #MiA3? #PhotosWithoutLimits pic.twitter.com/jYG8eaaNyg
— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) July 13, 2019

The Mi A3 is powered by a large 4,030 mAh battery which supports 18 W fast charging. The leaked box of the smartphone reveals that the device will be shipped with a white coloured power brick and a USB Type C cable which can be used for both charging and data syncing.

Also Read: Top 5 Linux Distros That Are Worth Your Attention

Conclusively, all the leaks and claims about the Mi A3 will be revealed at the official launch event which is set to take place on the 23rd of July. In terms of availability, it is expected to go on sale shortly after the launch. Like the Mi A1 and Mi A2, the upcoming Mi A3 is bound to launch in the India.

July 13, 2019
Top 5 Linux Distros That Are Worth Your Attention
Just like Windows and MacOS, a third operating system that has been in existence for a very long period is Linux. The operating system was originally developed by Linus Torvalds in the year 1991, who till date remains a key contributor to the patform.

For users who do not know, Linux is a family of open source operating systems which is available in a large number of variations which are often referred to as “distros”. The word “open source” means that every Linux user holds the right to alter or redistribute their very own customised version of Linux with or without a charge.

To make it easier to understand, the core of the OS which is the “Linux Kernel” can be referred to as a universal engine. While users have the option to choose the type of car body or the features that they desire, as per their wants and requirements. Due to its open source nature, the Linux Core is picked up by several organisations or even small group of computer nerds that have developed their very own “distro’s”. Out of hundreds of registered Linux flavours, we have compiled a list of top 5 options that you must check out.

Deepin OS

Right off the bat, Deepin OS is one of the most elegant looking Linux distros. It makes use of translucent animations and panes which provide very appealing aesthetics. The development of the OS is led by Wuhan Deepin Technology co which is a Chinese software organisation.

Besides having a refined user interface, it is also very easy to install. Out of the box, it has a variety of native applications built in which include Deepin package manager, Deepin terminal, Deepin Movie, Deepin font manager, Deepin System Monitor, etc.

Minimum/Recommended Hardware:
- CPU: Intel Pentium IV 2GHz or higher
- Memory: 1 GB (recommended 2 GB)
- Disk: 10 GB disk space
Focuses On: Aesthetics and Visual Appeal

Alternate: Feren OS

Download Link & Instructions: Click here

Manjaro Linux

Manjaro is one of the most used Linux distro right now. It is based on Arch Linux and mainly focuses on user friendliness and stability. Manjaro is feature rich distro that comes with a wide variety of tools and software applications pre-installed.

Manjaro Linux is offered in a variety of desktop environments which the user can choose as per their liking. The list of desktop environments include Cinnamon, Gnome, KDE and XFCE.

Minimum/Recommended Hardware:
- CPU: 1 GHz Processor, (recommended HD Graphics)
- Memory: recommended 4 GB)
- Disk: 30 GB free disk space
Pros: Fast and Reliable

Alternate: Ubuntu

Download Link & Instructions: Click here

Elementary OS

If you have ever used a Mac computer, you will feel right at home with Elementary OS. The OS was first released in the year 2011 with the codename “Jupiter” and has now reached its fifth stable iteration which is called “Juno”.

In addition to a simplified user interface, it has a very stable system as it is based on Ubuntu LTS. For kids or newcomers, this OS can turn out an easy to learn option. Moreover, Elementary OS offers extended parental controls settings. Hence, parents can revoke access to unwanted softwares or websites if they wish to do so.

Minimum/Recommended Hardware:
- CPU: Intel i3 or comparable dual-core 64-bit processor
- Memory: more than 2G RAM, 4G or higher is recommended
- Disk: 15 GB free disk space
Pros: Best For Kids (Offers High Level Of Parental Controls, Easy to learn)

Alternate: Edubuntu

Download Link & Instructions: Click here (enter 0 if it prompted for a payment amount)

Parrot OS

If you have heard of the term “hacking”, you must be aware of Kali Linux that has become a staple OS for most penetration testers and cyber security specialists. Parrot OS is the new kid in town with a varety of distinguishing elements.

Parrot OS is designed to run on computers with less powerful components and it can even run on a machine with RAM as less as 320 MB. Noteworthy, all the processes executed in this OS are sandboxed which means one piece of code can be isolated and prevented communication from other programs.

Minimum/Recommended Hardware:
- CPU: Dual core x86_64 Processor
- Memory: 2G RAM
- Disk: 40 GB free disk space
Focuses on: Security

Alternate: Kali Linux

Download Link & Instructions: Click here

Puppy Linux

If you have a decade old PC with outdated components but you do not want to let go off it, we recommend you install Puppy Linux OS on it. This light weight Linux distro can run flawlessly with computers that have RAM memory as low a 256 MB.

Puppy Linux skips on a lot fancy bells and whistles like graphical animations which allows the OS to provide a refined experience in dated computer systems. Besides, you can install Puppy Linux on a pendrive or thumb drive and run it on a public computer without installation. In today’s day and age where data privacy is a huge concern, Puppy Linux can turn out to be a saviour.

Minimum/Recommended Hardware:
- CPU: Pentium 900 MHz
- Memory: 256 MB RAM
- Disk: 6GB Disk Space Or Bootable Drive
Pros: Light Weight

Alternate: Lubuntu

Download Link & Instructions: Click here

All the Linux distro’s mentioned in the article are free to download and use. However, the organisations maintaing them do accept donations, therefore, if they provide any value to you, we recommend you leave a small donation on their respective websites.

Also Read: Top 5 Failed Mobile Phones That Have Left A Mark On Technology History

What is your favourite Linux distro and would you like us to cover more Linux related stories? Let us know in the comments below
July 13, 2019
Top 5 Failed Mobile Phones That Have Left A Mark On Technology History

Ever since the first mobile phone was created in the year 1973 by Motorola, the industry has seen significant technological advancement; which has led us to where we are today, in a world of super advanced smartphones. But, in all the innovation, there were many failures. And some were so remarkable that they are still talked about today, as they have left a considerable mark on technology history. Here are the top 5 mobile phones that have failed badly in the market because of many reasons, but are still remembered for a major reason.

Nokia N-Gage

The Nokia N-Gage was released back in the year 2003, when the company was at the pinnacle of mobile technology. Phones from Nokia were everywhere and for good reason, but then it unveiled the N-Gage. Featuring a weird design, the mobile phone was marketed as a phone, a portable media device and a gaming console. Unfortunately, the N-Gage failed to deliver on either of the promises. The sub-brand was subsequently shut down in 2009, and the mobile phone has been since known as the Taco Phone, because of the shape. The Nokia N-Gage has been honoured by being included in the (in)famous Museum of Failures in Sweden.

BlackBerry Z10

BlackBerry, like Nokia, was also a force to be reckoned with in the early 2000s. The brand has been credited for making some of the most iconic mobile phones of its time; most of which were really popular among businessmen and corporate because of the enterprise level security and the amazing keyboard. However, after the rise of the popularity of iOS and Android, the BlackBerryOS started to feel outdated and was also void of essential applications.

The company then tried rebranding itself and launched the Z10 running BBOS 10. It was a touchscreen smartphone running an overhauled user interface. What was enticing, is that it also supported Android apps, but the jarring interface and the poor touch support made the Z10 a commercial flop.BlackBerry, in a bid to stay relevant, kept supporting the BBOS10 until the year 2015. The company then kept losing revenue and finally succumbed to using Android in smartphones starting the BlackBerry Priv in 2015. The licensing rights to the iconic brand now belong to TCL which still makes Android smartphones.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

It wasn’t so much that the Galaxy Note 7 from Samsung was a commercial flop, the smartphone failed as a product. When the company announced the device in the year 2016, the audience was wowed by all the impressive hardware and software features. It was such a hit product, that Samsung managed to sell millions of devices within days of release, and that’s where the problems started.

A lot of users reported that their Galaxy Note 7 started heating up, catching fire and then eventually blowing to smithereens. Samsung tried controlling the situation by recalling all the smartphones and fixing them. But even after the fix was supposedly put into place, more reports of Galaxy Note 7’s blowing up kept surfacing online. This led to the company eventually killing the product altogether.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was so infamous that memes about it are still popular today. It is also banned from being carried in most flights. The company and the customers have since moved away from the frightening experience, but the Galaxy Note 7 still remains in the memory of people.

HTC ChaCha

Despite its condition today, Taiwanese smartphone maker HTC was a popular company in the first five years of this decade. In the year 2011, the company announced ChaCha and Salsa in a collaboration with Facebook. Aside from being horribly named, these smartphones featured a dedicated Facebook button. And while the latter was not anything spectacular, the ChaCha got all the hate because of the awkward design with a keyboard and again, the Facebook button.

The HTC ChaCha ran Android 4.0 Jellybean and as mentioned above, featured a keyboard. Because of the not so pleasing name (It literally means uncle in Hindi!) and the useless interface, the ChaCha was a commercial and critical flop.

Red Hydrogen One

Red, the company behind some of the best cinematic quality available today, tried its hands at making a smartphone in 2018. Called the Red Hydrogen One, the device boasts of a few impressive specifications, including a 4D Holographic display, a sturdy and different design and the ability to attach future camera accessories to the handset. However, due to the eye watering price tag starting at about US$ 1300 for the base variant, the smartphone did not sell well. Add to the fact that the display did not work as advertised and the processor used was also from 2017, the Snapdragon 835.

Also read: Top Android And iOS Competitors That Got Lost In The Wheel Of Time

The Red Hydrogen One is a classic example of a company trying to do something they have no experience in, and failing badly. While it is all but confirmed that Red will not release a “Hydrogen Two” in the market, but the company is still expected to give the mobile phone business idea another try, hopefully in a different form.

July 13, 2019
Beyond Smartwatches, Samsung Is Developing AR Smart glasses

Over half a decade ago, Google unveiled the “Project Glass” branded smart glasses which were one of the first devices in the AR (augemented reality) segment. Six years later, world’s number one smartphone manufacturer, Samsung has also gained patent for an AR smartglass which has a visionary approach.

According to the patent, the design of the Samsung AR glass is similar to a conventional sunglass. But the left and right temples that extend over the ear to help hold device in place are quite chunky. Moreover, the whole smart glass device can fold into half which will allow for easy storage.

Clearly, all the essential components like the battery and procesor will be housed in the thick temple. In stead of having a conventionaly screen for displaying information, the Samsung AR features a projcetor which with the help of a prism, projects the infromation on the right side glass. Therefore, the data displayed on the device will remain right infront of the user’s vision, whilst still allowing them to see through and look at objects behind without any obstruction.

The display can be toggled with the help of a small square shaped switch which is placed on top of the right ear temple. In addition, the patent suggests that the Samsung AR glasses have a whole host of sensors which are include proximity sensor, an infrared sensor, biometric sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, gyro sensor, an atmospheric pressure sensor, magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, and even a grip sensor.

The Samsung AR glasses also have a built in camera which would be used of capturing images and videos. Moreover, the same camera sensor will allow the device to provide augmented reality capabilities like quickly scanning a product and showing a listing for it on Amazon.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A3 Android One Smartphone Official Images Leaked

Conclusively, the Samsung AR smartglass looks like a bold move into the future. Sadly, any concrete information about the launch of the device is currently unavailable, therefore, we will have to wait until Samsung itself provides information about the device.

July 13, 2019
The 2019 iPhone XR Looks Stunning In Lavender And Green

The iPhone XR which was first released in the year 2018 has turned out to the best selling smartphone for Apple in the current update cycle. In comparison to the flagship grade, iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, the economical handset has a LCD display versus an OLED and a single camera on the back versus two.

Falling into the footsteps of the original iPhone XR, the company is bound to launch an upgraded handset soon. Surprisingly, the upcoming device will not only differ in terms of just specifications, but Apple will also introduce two new colour options for the device while phasing out two colour variants which were unveiled with its predecessor.

With the 2019 iPhone XR (name not confirmed), Apple will introduce Green and Lavender colour variants which will replace the Coral and Blue colour variants. In addition, the device will allegedly be available in White, Red and Black colour options.

In terms of optics, the 2019 iPhone XR will have dual rear cameras, which is one additional sensor in comparison to the 2018 variant. It is speculated that the second camera will be a Sony ToF sensor which will be used for collecting depth information.

Furthermore, the 2019 iPhone XR is destined to get an updated mobile chipset from the company which is assumed to be called “A13”. In terms of display it will retain a 6.1 inch LCD with Full HD+ resolution. Noteworthy, Apple is also reported to equip its 2019 iPhone models with a USB Type C port as seen with the iPad Pro.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mi A3 Android One Smartphone Official Images Leaked

Conclusively, all the reports and claims about the 2019 iPhone XR along with iPhone XI and iPhone XI Max will be clarified at the offiicial launch event which is expected to take place in the month of September.

July 13, 2019