Category: Tech

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

Agent Smith Malware Affects 25 Million Android Devices

The world’s most popular mobile OS, Android has once again been subjected to a wide scale malicious attack. A security firm “Check Point” discovered a new malware which replace portions of known apps with its own code. Noteworthy, the malware has affected more than 25 milion devices around the globe, out of which 15 million are in India alone.

According to Check Point, the malware is named “Agent Smith” and is designed to target known vulnerabilities of the Android operating system. The application was revealed to partially replace code on legitimate apps with malicious code. Notably, the whole process was exectuted without the knowledge or permission of the device owner.

Surprisingly, the malware is not intended to steal user data, instead, it injected the infected apps with lines of code so that they display advertisements. The developer would earn ad credits whenever a user with infected applications would watch or click on the display advertisements. Therfore, the developer could gain monetary value with the whole scheme.

The reserach agency revealed that the Agent Smith malware mainly targeted well-known apps like WhatsApp and Flipkart, therefore, accounting for the astounding reach it had. The source of the malicious app was traced back to a third party application store which is called 9Apps. The malware was concealed in programs like games, video players and adult entertainment apps which have high demand.

Check Point also shared a donut graph that shows the distribution of malware on smartphones manufactured by OEMs. At over 26 percent, Samsung device owners carry the maximum share in the information representaion tool.

Aside from 15 million Indian smartphones, the malware was even able to spread onto 3,00,000 devices in the US. Surprisingly, the exploits used by the malware to execute the infection process were patched several years ago. However, a large number of developers did not update their respective applications.

Also Read: Apple Will Soon Launch Multiple New iPad Models

This is just one security breach that has made out to the public. It wont be wrong to assume that several other cases like this still remain covered. Conclusively, in this day and era of widespread technology, nothing seems to be truly safe regardless of security measures that are implented.

July 11, 2019
Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ Official Images Leaked

Samsung’s highly awaited Galaxy Note series’ latest iteration, the alleged Galaxy Note 10 has made many rounds on the internet. Various leaks, rumours and renders have already given us an idea as to what it would look like. The South Korean company is all set to unveil its latest flagship series next month during its Galaxy Unpacked 2019 event on August 7th. Now, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ has it’s colour variants and official press renders leaked.

According to the images, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10+ will arrive in two colours. The first is a Silver Prism with a Blue S Pen accessory and the second is black with a black coloured S Pen. It will sport the Dynamic AMOLED screen with negligible bezels on every corner of the front panel. On the back, no physical fingerprint scanner can be discerned which means an in display scanners like the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ is to be expected. The Galaxy Note 10+ has a quad camera setup with a 3D ToF sensor and an LED flash flanking the right of the main camera module. Samsung’s logo is present on the gradient back and the company might finally be skipping the button dedicated for the Bixby digital voice assistant.

The leaked specifications of the Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10+ reveal that it will feature a 6.75 inch QHD+ display with support for HDR10+ playback. Its front facing camera will reportedly be a 10MP sensor with dual pixel PDAF, similar to the one found on the Galaxy S10 lineup; the rear cameras will feature S10’s 12MP primary camera or a 48MP sensor accompanied by a telephoto and wide angles lens.

The Galaxy Note 10 is likely to run on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9825 SoC depending on the country the device will be available to purchase in. The smartphone will run on the latest Android 9 Pie with the company’s OneUI on top. It is expected to have up to 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage as well. Similar to the Galaxy S10 series, stereo speakers can be assumed along with the usual connectivity options, but the headphone jack’ presence is unclear. Samsung’s upcoming device would presumably also ship with IP68 water and dust resistance rating. The Galaxy Note 10 is claimed to be powered by a 4500mAh battery with 25W fast charging capabilities.

Also Read: Full Specs Of Honor 9X Duo Revealed Ahead Of Launch

The competition is heating up with major OEMs are readying with their respective launches. Apple, Google and Samsung are one of the most renowned brands out there and the next couple of months is expected to be dominated by their launches. The latter with its Galaxy Note 10 series will have to pull an amazing feature or trick to arrive out on top of this arms race. More updates will be provided in the arriving week, stay tuned.

July 11, 2019
Apple Will Soon Launch Multiple New iPad Models

Earlier this year, Apple quitely refreshed the iPad Air and the iPad Mini with updated innards. In addition to previously launched devices, it seems that the company has a number of other tablets in the pipeline.

The company has freshly gained certification for five upcoming devices which are filed under the “tablet computer” category. Clearly, the upcoming devices will be iPads and they carry the following model numbers “A2068, A2198, A2230, A2197, and A2228”.

The certification was granted by Eurasian Economics Commission or EEC which is based Russia. The listings are critical as every device that can be sold in the region is needs to have the clearance certification from the supervising authority. Companies usually tend to get the devices registered with such bodies just before their launch when the device is ready for mass production. Therefore, the previously mentioned iPads could very well be finalided and they can launch in the near future.

Moreover, the EEC filing also reveals that the future iPad models will run on iPadOS 13 which was revealed at the WWDC 2019 event. The new OS is intended to bridge the gap between a full fledged PC OS and a mobile OS. The newly unveiled OS allows iPad owners to control their devices with a mouse and keyboard with native support. Hence, the device can work as a mobile workstation, possibly replacing a laptop. The iPad OS is currently in the Beta testing stage and will roll out for the general public later this year.

Unfortunately, the EEC listing certification does not reveal any other details about future iPads. However, they are expected to either succed the iPad Pro duo from 2018 or they could be the rumoured 10.2 inch iPad. Though less likely, they could by the foldable iPad which was previously leaked.

Also Read: Full Specs Of Honor 9X Duo Revealed Ahead Of Launch

As of now, nothing can be confirmed about the future tablets from Apple. Therefore, we will have to wait for the company to officially shine some light on the launch of the devices.

July 11, 2019

Full Specs Of Honor 9X Duo Revealed Ahead Of Launch

Honor has been long anticipated to launch a couple of mid-range smartphones which will succeed the sensational Honor 8X from 2018. As per reports, the new handsets will be dubbed the Honor 9X and Honor 9X Pro. The design of the upcoming smartphones has previously leaked online which states that the handsets will feature a pop-up camera like the OnePlus 7 Pro and the Vivo V15 Pro.

Surprisingly, ahead of the official launch, full specs of both the smartphones have been leaked on Twitter which are listed below:

	Honor 9X	Honor 9 Pro
Dimensions and Weight	163 x 77 x 8.6 mm, 190 grams	163 x 77 x 8.6 mm, 190 grams
Display	6.59 inch 2340 x 1080 px 391 ppi	6.59 inch 2340 x 1080 px 391 ppi
Chipset	Kirin 810 (7 nm) Octa-Core Mali G52 GPU	Kirin 810 (7 nm) Octa-Core Mali G52 GPU
OS	Android 9 Pie, EMUI	Android 9 Pie, MIUI
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS
Rear/Front Camera	24 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP 20 MP (Pop Up)	48 MP + 8 MP + 2 MP 20 MP (Pop Up)
Battery	4000 mAh 10 W	4000 mAh 22.5 W

The specifications of the Honor 9X and 9X Pro exhibit worthy mid-range devices. Besides, if the company is able to price them aggressive as seen on their predecessor, the devices have the potential to become one of the best selling handsets in the mid-range segment. It is assumed that the smartphones will be priced between the US $ 200 and US $ 300 price bracket which will make them a lucrative option.

Though the current leak does not provide any details about the design of the smartphones, they can be derived from the previously mentioned leaks.

Both the Honor 9X and Honor 9X Pro will have an attractive design accrediting to an edge-to-edge display on the front. The rear of the handsets will house the company branding and the triple cameras which will be vertically aligned on the top left side.

Also Read: Samsung Galaxy A50s May Launch Soon, Gains Wi-Fi Certification

To sum it up, all the leaks and claims about the Honor 9X and Honor 9X Pro can only be verified once the company officially announces them. Even though the launch date of the smartphone is not yet revealed, the sheer number of leaks suggest they will launch soon.

July 10, 2019

Samsung Galaxy A50s May Launch Soon, Gains Wi-Fi Certification

Samsung had launched its mid range A series smartphones back in 2014. the series was made to fill the gap between its flagship S series and its other affordable devices. The company has had its newest lineup of A series handsets receive a commendations. Now, a new report has surfaced that reveal Samsung’s plan of soon unveiling two new Galaxy A smartphones; their model numbers had been spotted in the WiFi Alliance today.

The two models are SM-A562N and SM-A561F which bear a sequential resemblance to Samsung Galaxy A50. The South Korean company had initially launched the Galaxy A50 earlier this year in February alongside the Galaxy A20 and Galaxy A10e (US exclusive). It is unclear if it is the Galaxy A50s as another unknown Samsung device was spotted on Geekbench with specs similar to the ones found in the Galaxy A50; carrying the model number SM-A507FN. The aforementioned device was also reportedly sporting the Exynos 9610 SoC alongside 4GB of RAM identical to A50’s configuration.

According to the certification, both the models will run on Android 9 Pie with support for dual band WiFi (2.4GHz and 5GHz). Unfortunately, finer details regarding the two mysterious Samsung devices are currently unknown. Only speculations regarding the device can be offered as of right now. The upcoming devices can be various different versions of the pre existing A series line up as well. It includes the Samsung Galaxy A70s, the A90, or even the A30s.

Also Read: Apple To Increase The Screen Size Of The Base Model iPads In The Future

Samsung is going strong in every segment of the market, ranging from its flagship to even mid range handsets. The upcoming devices can be expected to be in the mid range and will offer specs similar to its predecessors. However, since no information is currently available these speculations can be taken with a grain of salt. More updates regarding the twin Samsung Galaxy devices is expected to arrive in the coming weeks, which will soon be followed by updates.

July 10, 2019
LG Launches AI ThinQ TV Lineup With Built-In Amazon Alexa

LG has been one of the most prevalent TV brands in India. To meet the rising demands of smart televisions, the company has launched the AI ThinQ TVs lineup in the country which starts from Rs 24,990 and goes all the way upto Rs 10,99,990. Distinguishingly, all the smart TVs in the lineup have built-in Alexa and Google Assistant support.

The newly launched AI ThinQ TVs from LG are fitted with second-generation Alpha 9 processors. The processors combined with deep learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) can automatically calibrate the TVs for optimised audio and video output. The TVs in the lineup are available from screen sizes of 32-inch to 77-inch. Moreover, they also have support for Dolby Vision, HDR10 Pro, HLG Pro HDR and Dolby Atmos.

Due to the presence of Amazon Alexa and Google voice assistant, users can wirelessly interact with their TV sets and control its different functionalities. Furthermore, the voice assistants built into the TVs can even be used to control other smart devices like lights and fans.

The NanoCell TVs in the AI ThinQ lineup also supports direct wireless streaming from Apple devices via AirPlay 2. Other features of TVs in this range include Nano Color Full Array Dimming and HomeKit. The latter enables the ability to control the television through Siri or Apple Home app.

Besides, all TVs in the AI ThinQ lineup have a wide variety of media streaming apps which include Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Hotstar, YouTube, Eros Now, Zee5, AltBalaji, Hungama Play, Sun NXT and Yupp TV. The TVs also have a 2-way Bluetooth feature that allows users to wirelessly stream music from their smartphone, tablet or any other Bluetooth compatible device.

Surprisingly, TVs in AI ThinQ lineup have a unique feature called “Mobile Connection Overlay” that allows users to view both the mobile and television screens simultaneously.

Also Read: Nokia 9 PureView With 5 Rear Cameras Launched In India

All in all, LG has populated the new AI ThinQ TV lineup with well thought out features which will make them stand out of the crowd. Especially, the wireless voice assistant functionality will be a crowd favourite.

July 10, 2019
Huawei Launches MediaPad T5 Tablet In India

Update: 10th July 2019

The Huawei MediaPad T5 is now available for purchase on Amazon.in. To sweeten up the deal, the company is providing Huawei Earphone AM 12 headphones Worth INR 2,998 and flip cover absolutely free. Interested users can purchase the tablet from the links provided below:

Original Story

Huawei had faced many hardships with the start of Q2 2019. The company was facing critical crippling of its business caused by the US Trade ban. The ban did not seek to deter the company as operations continued as normal, and devices like Nova 5 was launched with Android OS. Now, US has lifted the restrictions on Huawei and business is again in full swing with the officially launch of MediaPad T5 tablet in India.

Specification & Features

Huawei’s MediaPad T5 is a 10.1-inch tablet which sports a 1920 x 1200 resolution. Tablets generally do not feature minimal bezels and this also applies for the T5. The screen-to-body ratio of the device is still a respectable 76.4%. The tablet places emphasis on multi-media consumption owing to its large footprint. This is further bolstered by its dual stereo speakers.

HiSilicon Kirin 659 SoC drives the MediaPad T5 with RAM offerings varying from 2GB and 3GB. Huawei offers 2 storage options, namely 16GB and 32GB. The internal storage can be supplemented through its expandable storage solution via microSD card that supports up to 256GB. A massive 5,100mAh battery powers the entire device and should, at least on paper, deliver exceptional up time.

MediaPad T5 runs the EMUI 8.0 that is based on the dated Android 8.0 Oreo. The tablet features a dedicated Children’s Corner that allows separation and locking of certain apps when in the hands of kids. The feature also has a reminder that informs children to maintain a proper posture while using the tablet. A timer can be enabled that restricts over usage of the device.

Price and Availability

Huawei is shipping the MediaPad T5 in two configurations carrying different prices. The first is the 2GB RAM+16GB ROM variant which is priced at INR 14,999, while the beefier version that offers 3GB RAM+32GB ROM will be sold for 16,999. The Chinese company will start taking pre-orders for the tablet on Amazon alongside a complimentary bundle worth INR 2,999 which includes a flip cover and earphones.

Also Read: NVIDIA Unveils The RTX 2060 SUPER, 2070 SUPER, 2080 SUPER GPUs

Huawei’s sub-brand Honor had promised further Android support for its concerned Indian audience in a recent tweet.. The aforementioned ban had Huawei stuck in a no-mans land with US based firms that had the hardware and software it required. The tech giant is now well on its way to regain its grounds lost over the past couple of months, starting with the MediaPad T5.

July 10, 2019
Nokia 9 PureView With 5 Rear Cameras Launched In India
After missing several rumoured launch dates, the photography centric Nokia 9 PureView has finally been launched in India. The handset has a premium build with a Quad HD display and five rear cameras which are placed in an elegant constellation shaped layout. The handset carries a hefty price tag of Rs 49,999. However, the camera capabilities that Nokia proposes are valid enough to lure in customers.

Nokia 9 PureView Design And Specs

The Nokia 9 PureView has an attractive design with glass on both front and rear which is reinforced using an aluminium chassis. The handset measures 155 x 75 x 8 mm and tips the scale at 172 grams. It sports a 5.99 inch Plastic OLED display that has a QHD resolution of 2880 x 1440 px and a pixel density of 538 ppi.

The left and right bezels around the display of the Nokia 9 PureView are negligible while the top and bottom bezels are considerably thick. The bezel above the display houses the Nokia branding, earpiece grille for receiving phone calls and a 20 MP front-facing selfie camera which can also capture 1080p videos @ 30fps. For rapidly and securely getting through the lock screen, it features an in-display fingerprint sensor which has become common sighting on most flagship smartphones.

For added protection, both the front and rear panel of the Nokia 9 PureView is covered with Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The rear panel of the device carries the Nokia branding, Android One logo and its key highlighting feature, the Penta camera setup. The rear camera setup consists of five 12 MP sensor and an LED flash. Out of the five cameras, two are RGB sensors while the remaining three are mono sensors.

The Nokia 9 PureView runs on latest Android 9 Pie and the Android One logo at its rear assures the device is guaranteed to receive at least 2 major Android updates for. The handset is powered by a generous 3,320 mAh battery which can be charged via the bottom-mounted USB Type-C port. In addition to the wired charging it also supports Qi wireless charging. Connectivity options on the smartphone include 4G VoLTE, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS and GLONASS.

Nokia 9 PureView Price, Storage, Colours and Availability

The Nokia 9 PureView is available in just one colour variant which is Blue. The handset is available for purchase online from Flipkart.com starting 10th of July. It will also be sold via offline stores starting the 17th of July. The device is offered in a single storage variant for which the price is as follows:
- 6 GB + 128 GB – Rs 49,999
Even though the Nokia 9 PureView not equipped with the latest flagship processor or does not support high-speed charging, the device is aimed towards an entirely different set of audience which ranges from professional photographers to budding enthusiasts.

Also Read: MacBook Air and 13 Inch MacBook Pro With Touch Bar Launched In India

All in all, the Nokia 9 PureView is a worthwhile smartphone that has its own advantages which are backed by company’s strong affinity.
July 10, 2019
Asus ROG Gaming PCs & Laptops Launched In India

Asus is well renowned for its Republic Of Gaming sub-brand that offers gaming machines or gaming-related peripherals. The company has announced refreshing its ROG lineup in India with new releases in the Zephyrus and Strix ranges of gaming laptops. The company had updated the Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX01 and ROG Zephyrus S GX531 earlier this year in March. Now, Asus is introducing its newest iteration of the aforementioned laptops.

Asus ROG Zephyrus M GU502

The Asus ROG Zephyrus M GU502 is a Windows gaming laptop that sports a 15.6-inch FHD IPS Pantone display with a refresh rate of 144Hz and response time of 3ms. It is also equipped with the Intel’s 9th generation processors alongside NVIDIA GeForce 1660Ti graphics card. The GPU is tweaked for a max clock speed of 2100 MHz in Turbo mode with ROG Boost. The new gaming laptop features an “intelligent” cooling system with 83 blade fans.

It supports an ESS Sabre HiFi digital to analogue converter (DAC) with Hi-Res Audio certification and M.2 NVMe SSDs for up to 1TB of RAID 0 storage. Notably, the Zephyrus M can be charged through its USB-C port via a mobile power bank. The keys are backlit with RGB lighting and configuration allows for up to 32GB of RAM. Asus ROG gaming laptop offers up to 6 hours of battery life and weighs a light 1.9kg. Its starting price in India is INR 1,49,000.

Asus ROG Strix Range

Under Asus’ ROG Strix series of gaming laptops, new models have been unveiled for gaming enthusiasts. The ROG Strix Scar III and Hero III models are esports ready and feature a removable NFC module called Keystone. It allows gamers to move their saved profiles from one compatible laptop to another. The Keystone has a function that unlocks hidden storage areas on the owner’s laptop. The Scar III and Hero III have been launched in 15 inch and 17 inch variants that can be configured with either Intel’s 9th Gen i7 or i9 CPUs. Both laptops are offered 144Hz or 240Hz refresh rate display options. Due to its gaming nature, these laptops will have RGB LEF strips along with their bases with an RGB keyboard.

The Asus ROG Strix III G531 lineup is equipped with NVIDIA’s latest GeForce RTX 20 series graphics card ranging from the RTX 2060 to RTX 2070; while the Hero III sports an FTX 1660Ti video card. The laptops feature a 15.6 inch IPS display with up to 240Hz refresh rate offering and a 3ms response time. The laptops can be equipped with the latest Intel 9th Gen i9-9880H CPU with the same intelligent cooling system and RangeBoost algorithm for better connectivity. It can house up to 32GB of RAM and up to 1TB storage. These laptops weigh 2.395kgs and their prices start from INR 1,39,000.

Finally, the Asus ROG Strix G Edition G531 and G731 series of laptops offer a 120Hz display with a response time of 3ms. The gaming laptop feature a 9th Gen Intel i7-9750H CPU paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce 1650 GPU. The laptop will also include Intelligent cooling and RangeBoost algorithm. the ROG G531 has its prices start from INR 59,990 on Flipkart, while the G731 will sell for INR 79,990. The later will go on sale in the second half of July.

Asus ROG PC range

Asus has also announced its range of gaming desktop PCs alongside its laptop counterparts. The Asus ROG Huracan G21CX, Asus ROG Strix GL12CX, and the Asus ROG Strix GL10CS desktops. The G21CX features up to NVIDIA RTX 2080 GPU with Intel Core i9 CPU on the Z390 motherboard which has overclocking capabilities. The gaming laptop will support up to 32GB RAM and offers 512GB M.2 SSD and 2TB storage. It will sport front and rear speakers with inbuilt WiFi, Bluetooth, Microphone and various USB ports and audio jacks. The machine is bundled with ROG Strix Flare keyboard and ROG Gladius II Mouse and starts from INR 1,99,990.

Asus ROG GL12CX PC packs the latest i9-9900K CPU which is factory overclocked to 5.1GHz. The laptop features NVIDIA’s RTX 2080Ti GPU alongside two M.2 SSDs and Intel Optane memory. It also offers up to 32GB RAM along with front and rear speakers. Under connectivity options, inbuilt Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, microphone, headphone jack, USB Type-C, USB Type-A ports are offered. The Asus ROG Strix GL12CX price in India starts from Rs. 1,49,990.

Finally, the Asus ROG GL10CS is a customisable desktop with CPU ranging from 9th Gen i5 to i7. The graphics card options go up to NVIDIA’s RTX 2060. It features two isolated air chambers for housing its CPU and GPU completely separate from its power supply unit; ensuring clean airflow and preventing heat generated from the CPU and GPU to affect the PSU and storage drives. The PC will support up to 8GB RAM with 256GB of M.2 SSD. The Asus ROG GL10CS PC starting price is INR 61,990.

Also Read: MacBook Air and 13 Inch MacBook Pro With Touch Bar Launched In India

Asus is offering a couple of great gaming machines in India. These laptops and desktops will cater to different categories and price segments. More options for gamers is always a good sign. It showcases the growth of the Indian gaming community in the global standards with companies placing more emphasis on the country with their products. Soon, we may begin to see more esports title tournaments being held in India as well.

July 10, 2019

Apple Quietly Updates The Macbook Air And 13 Inch Macbook Pro With Touch Bar

In the year 2019, Apple has already upgraded a number of existing Mac computers which include the 15 inch MacBook notebook computer and the iMac desktop computer. On the 10th of July, the company silently refreshed the 13 inch MacBook Pro and the MacBook Air with an upgraded display and 8th Gen Intel CPUs. Also, the company has reduced the price of the device to rake in more customers and boost sales. Besides, the 12 inch MacBook which was first unveiled in 2015 has been discontinued.

2019 MacBook Air

In terms of design, the MacBook Air retains the thin and light design which has been a staple to this lineup of ultra-portable notebook computers. The laptop measures 304.1 x 212.4 x 4.1/15.6 mm and weighs only 1.25 kg. It sports a 13.3-inch Retina display which supports Apple’s proprietary True Tone technology that can automatically adjust the colour temperature for a comfortable viewing experience.

In addition, the 2019 MacBook Air gets a TouchID sensor for biometric verification. The compact notebook computer is kitted with an 8th gen Intel Core i5 processor which has a base frequency of 1.6 GHz and a turbo boost upto 3.6 GHz. The MacBook Air is offered with 8 GB of 2133 MHz LPDDR3 RAM which can be kitted with upto 128 GB of 256 GB of PCIe based SSD.

The 2019 MacBook Air features a 49.9 watt-hour lithium battery which can provide a battery backup of upto 13 hours dependent on the usage. It features a full-sized keyboard with 78 keys and a Force Touch Trackpad which features multi-touch gestures like pinch and zoom, two-finger scrolling.

MacBook Pro 13 With Touch Bar

Like the MacBook Air 2019, the MacBook Pro 13 features a 13.3-inch Retina display with a pixel density of 227 ppi. The laptop can be configured with two different Intel Core i5 chipsets. Both options have a quad-core CPU that features 128 MB of eDRAM. For further enhancing the security on the laptop, it features Apple’s in-house developed T2 security chip. The secondary chip is used for safely securing sensitive user data like passwords and fingerprint information. According to Apple, this chip combines an additional level of security which is virtually unable to be cracked via brute-forcing.

The highlighting feature of the 2019 MacBook Pro 13 is the addition of the Touch Bar with integrated Touch ID which was first seen on the 2015 MacBook Pro in 2016. The laptop is equipped with a large force touch trackpad which also supports multi-touch gestures.

As the name suggests, the Touch Bar is an elongated touchscreen display placed right above the keyboard keys. The feature is aimed towards replacing the conventional control buttons with a more interactive and modern approach. The Touch Bar can be used to regulate several functionalities like volume and brightness controls on the MacBook. In addition, it can also be used to toggle the most used or favourite apps with a simple tap.

The MacBook 2013 is offered with 8 GB of RAM which can be paired with either 128 GB or 256 GB of PCIe based SSD. The storage is non-user-replaceable, therefore, it cannot be replaced or upgraded at a later stage. Therefore, users must carefully select storage capacity at the time of purchasing the laptop.

Price And Availability

Also Read: Top 5 Free To Play Multiplayer Shooter Games For Low Spec PCs

Both, the MacBook Air Retina and the 13 inch MacBook Pro with Touch Bar are available for purchase via both online and offline platforms. Price of both the laptops are as follows:

	Price In US	Price In India
MacBook Air Retina	US $ 1099	Rs 99,000
MacBook Pro 13	US $ 1299	Rs 1,19,000

Quick Specs

	MacBook Air	MacBook Pro
Screen	13.3-inch, LED-backlit 2560×1600 px 227 ppi	13.3-inch, LED-backlit 2560×1600 px 227 ppi
Camera	720p	720p
Battery	49.9 watt-hour	58.2 watt-hour
Processor	intel i5, 8th Gen dual-core base 1.6 GHz, turbo boost 3.6 GHz	intel i5, 8th Gen quad-core base 1.4 GHz, turbo boost 3.9 GHz intel i5, 8th Gen quad-core base 2.4 GHz, turbo boost 4.1 GHz
Storage	PCIe SSD 128 GB 256 GB	PCIe SSD 128 GB 256 GB
Connectivity	Bluetooth 4.2 802.11ac Wi-Fi	Bluetooth 4.2 802.11ac Wi-Fi
Ports	2x USB-C 3.1, Gen 2 (Charging + Data Transfer + DisplayPort)	2x USB-C 3.1, Gen 2 (Charging + Data Transfer + DisplayPort) 3.5 mm audio jack
Graphics	Intel UHD 617	Intel Iris Plus Graphics 645 Intel Iris Plus Graphics 655
Colours	Gold Space Grey Silver	Space Grey Silver
Weight	1.25 kg	1.37 kg

July 10, 2019

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Leaked In Images, Reveals Dual Rear Cameras

It was earlier revealed that Korean electronics giant Samsung will launch its flagship tablet this year. This device will purportedly know the Galaxy Tab S5 as the last iteration in the series was the Galaxy Tab S4. Now, contradicting earlier claims, fresh reports reveal the upcoming tablet from Samsung will be called the Galaxy Tab S6 and expected to launch soon. Along with the new name, a few images of the device have also been leaked.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S6

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 will be a flagship tablet offering from the company this year. It will be a successor to the Galaxy Tab S4 launched last year and is expected to feature top tier specifications. Leaked images of the tablet reveal the device will have a large display with thin bezels on all sides. Because of the poor quality of the images, other details about the front are not properly visible. However, the tablet is shown to be in its boot screen which reveals its name and that it will be secured by the company’s Knox software.

Over at the back, the Galaxy Tab S6 from Samsung has been revealed to sport a metal back with a ridge to store the S-Pen. The housing is expected to be magnetic to secure the accessory in place. In a surprising move, the device will have dual rear cameras, which are unheard of in the segment. While details about these cameras are not known yet, tablets are not generally known for their optical quality, so it may be nothing to be too excited about.

Galaxy Tab S4

Also read: Apple To Increase The Screen Size Of The Base Model iPads In The Future

Regarding the specifications, the reports claim the Galaxy Tab S6 will have a 10.5-inch display. The device will run on the 7nm Snapdragon 855 SoC which is comprised of an Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU. In terms of memory and storage, it will have 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. The Galaxy Tab S6 will run on Android 9 Pie which is expected to be skinned with the company’s OneUI on top. Unfortunately, the rest of the details and pricing of the device is unknown at the moment. However, the tablet is expected to be announced soon, which will confirm all suspicions.

July 10, 2019
Apple To Increase The Screen Size Of The Base Model iPads In The Future

Apple is one of the market leaders in the tablet industry. Its iPad offerings are popular in many markets across the globe. The company’s tablets are one of the best in their category alongside the likes of brands like Samsung and Lenovo. Now, Chinese sources have claimed that the upcoming 2019 iPad will start mass production from July alongside details regarding other Apple products, such as the 16 inch MacBook Pro.

According to the report, the base model of the iPads will now see a bump in their standard size to 10.2 inches. It will mark a major design overhaul in a long time, a much-needed improvement. To achieve the new screen size, Apple may reduce the bezels on the devices. This further suggests that the company may also get rid of the TouchID still present on lower end iPads and replace it with FaceID like the iPad Pro.

The tech giants announcement of iPadOS at WWDC 2019 has sought to make its tablet a more viable productive device. It means that with a bigger screen and better OS, the Apple iPad can be more viable for portable work machine similar to the Microsoft Surface.

The company currently offers the iPad 9.7 inches which was introduced back in 2018. It supported the first generation of Apple pencil with price starting from $329; marking a minor refresh over the 2017 iteration. The design upgrade to the base iPad lineup was long overdue and can potentially reignite tablet sales in the global market. Apple has yet to provide any statement regarding the matter.

Also Read: Top 5 Free To Play Multiplayer Shooter Games For Low Spec PCs

The new iPad will start production from the Q3 of 2019 and will replace the entry-level Apple tablets. Its new and improved screen will be a welcomed update for its loyal fans and customers. Finer details like specifications are still unknown. However, more information is expected to be available in the arriving weeks. Updates regarding this will be available soon.

July 10, 2019
Honor Play 8 Ultra Budget Smartphone Launched
Huawei’s sub-brand, Honor has launched the Honor Play 8 smartphone which is targeted towards the budget segment. Nevertheless, the device features a contemporary design with glass on the front and plastic on the rear. Going by its price and specs, it competes against the likes of the Realme C2 and the Redmi 7a.

Honor Play 8 Quick Specs
- Screen- 5.71 inch LCD, 1520 x 720 px, 294 ppi
- Rear Camera- 13 MP, f/1.8
- Front Camera- 5 MP, f/2.2
- Battery- 3020 mAh
- Chipset- Helio A22
- CPU- Quad Core, 2.0 GHz
- GPU- IMG GE8300
- OS- Android 9, EMUI
- Connectivity Options- 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, 3.5 mm jack, GPS, Dual 4G, Micro USB port
- Storage- 2 GB + 32 GB, expandable upto 512 GB
Honor Play 8 Features and Design

The front of the Honor Play 8 is dominated by a 5.71 inch LCD display that has a resolution of 1520 x 720 px and a pixel density of 294 ppi. The display also features a water drop notch on top which houses the 5 MP selfie camera.

The rear of the Honor Play 8 has an attractive dual tone rear panel which houses the company branding and 13 MP camera along with an LED flash. The smartphone is kitted with the Helio A22 chipset which consists of a quad core CPU clocked at 2.0 GHz and the IMG GE8300 GPU.

The Honor 8 Play is powered by a 3020 mAh battery which supports 10 W charging. Connectivity options on the smartphone include GPS, Dual 4G, 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2 and bottom mounted 3.5 mm jack audio jack, micro USB port which can be used for charging and data transfer. The device is offered in a single storage variant for which the price is as follows:
- 2 GB + 32 GB- CNY 599 (around Rs 5990)
Besides, the inbuilt storage it also supports memory expansion upto 512 GB via a dedicated MicroSD card slot.

Also Read: Vaio Launches Thin and Light SX12 Laptop With Plenty Of I/O Ports

To sum it up, the Honor 8 Play with an affordable price and modern design is a good option for users looking for a device in this segment. Details about the launch of the smartphone in India are currently unavailable.
July 9, 2019
Vaio Launches Thin and Light SX12 Laptop With Plenty Of I/O Ports
Laptop maker, Vaio which has now perished from the global electronics market is still going strong in its home country, Japan. The company has launched the Vaio SX12, an ultra-compact 12.5-inch laptop which only weighs 897 grams or less depending on the variant. Despite having a thin and light form factor, Vaio has managed to pack the SX12 with a wide variety of input and output ports which were usually present on much chunkier notebook computers from early 2010

The Vaio SX12 is made out of brushed aluminium which not only provides for a robust feel but also a premium design. The lid of the device is ergonomically designed, therefore, when in it is in the open state the base of the laptop slightly rises from the surface which allows for better airflow and convenient typing angle.

Even though Vaio SX12 has a compact footprint, the laptop packs a full-size keyboard which is well spaced. Also, the keys are coated with a special UV coating which prevents them from rubbing off after a period of time. The device features a multi-touch glass trackpad which is accompanied by right and left mouse buttons. For securely and rapidly logging into Windows, the laptop also features a fingerprint sensor.

As previously mentioned, the Vaio SX12 features a 12.5-inch display. It is coated with an anti-glare liquid crystal which reduces eye strain when the laptop is used continuously for long hours. The laptop is kitted with U line of Intel 8th generation processors which offer upto four courses and eight threads.

The Vaio SX12 is equipped with high-speed SSD which helps in drastically reducing boot times and app load times. In terms of I/O ports the laptop is outfitted with the following ports:
- HDMI port
- VGA port
- RJ45 LAN port
- USB C Port
- SD card slot
- 3.5 mm Hybrid Audio in/out jack
- Kensington Lock
- 3x USB A Ports
- Charging Port
In terms of battery, the Vaio SX12 is claimed to offer a backup of upto 14 hours which will vary dependent on the type of usage. It also supports 4G LTE, therefore, users who are always on the go can carry the device with them without fearing availability of an internet connection.

Also Read: Indian Government Will Soon Be Able To Track Stolen Mobiles More Effectively

The Vaio SX12 is priced between 119,800 yen (around Rs 75,500) to 216,800 yen (around Rs 1,36,000) based on storage, colour options, and processor. The device is currently limited to the Japanese market and the company is yet to provide a statement whether it will be launched in India or not.

What your thoughts on the mini yet feature-loaded offering from Vaio? Let us know in the comments below
July 9, 2019
Indian Government Will Soon Be Able To Track Stolen Mobiles More Effectively

People unlucky enough have had their smartphones being lost, and more, unfortunately, stolen. It is a common sight in police stations to see multiple people lining up to file a report for stolen handsets in India. There has already been a large outcry over the authorities inability and ill-equipped manner to tackle this issue. The widespread evil that has already affected most people either directly or indirectly. Now, The Department of Telecommunications of the Indian Government is reportedly ready with a new system to finally tackle the extremely evident problem.

Xiaomi Redmi 7A

DoT’s new system will be capable of tracking mobile phones that are detectable even if they have their SIM cards removed or IMEI numbers changed. As per a report, the new system will be called the Central Equipment Identity Register which will be deployed nationwide in August. CIER is a new technology for tracking lost and stolen phones which have been under development since July 2017 under the DoT. The agency was instructed to create a system that discourages theft and snatching cases that prevalent in the country by the Indian Government.

Mobile phone theft and snatching cases have blown out of control over the past couple of years. According to reports, a 500% increase of snatching cases has been reported in New Delhi alone over the last five years. The Indian Government has reportedly allocated a sum of INR 15 crores for the spread of the CIER system throughout the country. CIER will make all stolen or lost handsets unusable across every service provider networks. Most stolen phones are sold in the black market where new IMEI numbers are flashed on these devices to make them untraceable. The new method will still affect the stolen devices with changed IMEI numbers making them just an expensive paperweight, unusable across networks.

Also Read: Instagram Introduces An Abuse Filter To Restrict Cyber Bullying

IMEI database of all mobile operators will be consolidated in one central system. It means that network providers will be able to share details of stolen or lost handsets to be blocked from future use. The new system is currently being tested for the first time in Maharashtra. Indian Government have finally found a concrete method to crack down on criminals that harm its lawful citizens. It can potentially save the people crores in rupee from the loss of property. CIER is a much-needed system which will finally be put into practice.

July 9, 2019