Meizu is launching the new Meizu m2 in India next week. Headquartered in headquartered in Zhuhai, China, Meizu came to India in March of this year. The first Meizu product to be launched in the country was Meizu m1 note, phone with 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920p.
It comes with an expandable storage capacity of up to 144 GB and a 64-bit MT6735 Quad-core processor. The phone is further equipped with 1.3 GHz Cortex A53 core and the Mali-T720 GPU.
The main camera is a Samsung 13 megapixel CMOS, while the front camera is of 5 megapixel. On the display front m2 comes with a 5-inch screen and a 720P Full-HD resolution. The phone comes in a slim body and the colour variants include white, blue, grey and pink. It further supports both TD-LTE and FDD-LTE 4G and two Nano SIM cards can be used at the same time with m2.
The response the company received in the country was encouraging enough for it to introduce m2 now. Let’s see what the Indian market has to say this time.
BlackBerry Priv’s leaks are coming faster than the company perhaps expects. New images have surfaced courtesy N4BB that show close-up shots of the display and the camera, revealing and confirming some specs of the Priv that we have already mentioned earlier.
The first image shows that the Android-powered phone will be powered by an SoC (either Snapdragon 808 or 810) with 64-bit processor. The next image confirms the primary camera sensor. The Priv will feature an 18-megapixel Schneider Kreuznach primary camera and is capable of shooting Ultra HD video in 4K @30 fps. It will also feature a 5-megapixel front-facing camera.
We also know that BlackBerry is going big on security and privacy, which is why the device is called Priv (privacy and productivity). Another image shows a new app that is called BlackBerry Safeguard that shows the security status of your device based on its settings and the apps installed. As the image below shows, the app will also allow you to see how other apps are using your information, set a pattern lock, scan your device for malicious software, and more.
Other features previously mentioned include a 5.4-inch curved display with a Quad HD resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, and 3 GB of RAM. The phone is expected to come with Google’s Android OS, but it is not clear yet as to which version of Android it will feature. The design of the Priv brings back some elements of the BlackBerry Z30 that users grew to love such as the glass-weave back plate. The hint of carbon fiber styled back also sets this device apart from other Android phones.
The Priv might have a November launch, though BlackBerry is expected to make an official announcement on it later this month.
We had earlier reported that Moto X Style would arrive in India by October, and here is the update you’ve all been waiting for. Motorola’s exclusive online retail partner, Flipkart has confirmed that the new Moto smartphone would be available in India from Thursday.
Flipkart now shows off a web-page which unequivocally declares, “Get ready to party in 15 minutes flat with the Moto X Style on the 8th of October, 2015!” Having released for the first time in July, the device has finally made its way to India as well.
The page gives no other information regarding the price or availability of the smartphone. Interested buyers can leave their email address on the page for updates regarding the sale of the device. Despite all its recent Twitter updates hinting at a launch in India, Motorola is yet to announce an official date for the launch in the country. Quite recently, however, there was a #Beautility contest held by the company the winner of which would get a free Moto X Style as the prize.
In September, Motorola launched its Moto X Play in the country. The smartphone is priced at Rs. 18,499 for 16 GB, and Rs. 19,999 for 32 GB. Though the device is equipped with a stronger battery than X Style, it still is a predecessor of sorts to X Style in terms of all its other features.
Here’s a look at the specs of the latter smartphone:
Specification
Moto X Style
Display
5.7-inch
Resolution
QHD 1440x2560p
Processor
Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 808 hexa-core
RAM
1.8 GHz pwith 3 GB
Operating System
Android Lollipop
Internal Storage
16 GB/ 32 GB/ 64 GB
Expandability
With microSD card
Rear Camera
21 MP sensor with f/2.0 aperture and 4K resolution
Here’s the thing you need to know about the upcoming OnePlus phone – it’s going by two different names. There have been many leaks over the past few weeks about a new OnePlus phone that is a miniaturized version of the OnePlus 2. The phone is being called OnePlus Mini or OnePlus X, depending on which source you follow. Recent discussions about the phone are tilting more towards OnePlus Mini now. But we discussed OnePlus X last week so it’s anyone’s guess, really.
We have brought out some rumoured spec leaks of the OnePlus Mini/X a couple of weeks ago that was spilled by AnTuTu Bencmark, and now we have an anonymous source that’s backing it up. Since the new reports come as an anonymous tip, you should not completely trust the authenticity of it. However, some specs do seem right for a phone that is said to fall below the $250 price tag.
As previously mentioned, the OnePlus Mini will feature a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution cloaked in 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 or Gorilla Glass 5.The Mini will be powered by MediaTek’s Helio X10 chipset with a 2.2 GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 CPU.
2 GB of RAM and 32 GB expandable storage can also be expected. So far so good. In the camera department, however, there are changes to earlier rumours. Now it is suggested that the phone will not feature dual camera set as earlier renders have shown. Instead, there will be one 13-megapixel Sony IMX258 rear sensor with f/2.0 aperture, 4K @ 30fps video recording capabilities, and a Dual-Tone LED flash.
It is likely that the OnePlus Mini camera and display will be similar to the recently launched Xiaomi Mi 4c. There have been no changes concerning the design of the phone as shown in the renders above (except the dual camera). It is very likely that the company is steering clear from recreating a OnePlus 2 design as it has received some flak for it.
The battery is said to be either a 3000 mAh or 3100 mAh, which you’ll charge through a USB Type-C port and is also said to come with Quick Charge support. Other features include a fingerprint sensor on the back, an FM radio, a MT6630 wireless SoC, Bluetooth 4.1, an IR Blaster, a 1.2W front-facing speaker and a NFC chip for Android Pay, which was missing from the OnePlus 2. Both the NFC chip and Quick Charge support are likely to come with the Mini despite not having been featured in the bigger device.
The device is expected to be priced at $250. The anonymous source has also revealed that the phone is likely to make an appearance in November or December, though other sources say it could be launched this month. So keep your eyes open and ears to the whispers as we bring you more on the upcoming OnePlus device.
Yu Yuphoria is now available at a price of Rs. 6,499 on Amazon, following a Rs. 500 price-cut. The phone was launched in the country in May with a price tag of Rs. 6,999. Another update the smartphone comes with is that of the operating system. The older Android Lollipop-based Cyanogen OS 12 custom ROM has now been replaced with stock Android 5.0 Lollipop.
Yu Yuphoria
Additionally, the company made Yureka Plus available at a price of Rs. 8,999 on Amazon. Cyanogen OS 12 of the phone has been replaced with Android 4.4.4 KitKat. Yunique is another smartphone by Yu which has been updated in a similar fashion. It’s priced at Rs. 5,499 and runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop.
Yu Yureka: Alabaster White and Moonstone Grey
The Yu smartphones have taken the circuit by storm with their competitive prices and have provided the consumers a wider range to choose from. The lowest priced 4G LTE smartphone in the market is Lenovo A2010 at a price of Rs. 4,990. However, the Yu phones are highly likely to tip the buyers’ interest in their favour now, away from brands like Lenovo.
According to the rumour mill, YU has something interesting in store for its fans. A always, we’ll update you with the details.
Amidst a struggle of dealing with anti-competition claims laid down by EU, Google’s tryst with turbulent waters continued as India followed suit and accused the California based company of rigging search results in August this year. The preliminary findings of the three year old probe were submitted to both Google and Competition Commission of India by early September. Allegedly, the search results benefit many of Google’s own businesses, making its other customers lose out on online attention. Here’s a quick look at the story so far:
Main Concern:
The possibility of Google using the search engines to promote its own services without the users even realising it is a little more than disconcerting. Similar to the European investigation, Indian authorities are also convinced that the search engine is being used to favour Google’s maps service, travel sites, and advertising products. This inevitably means that the customers using Google’s advertising services are losing out on opportunities and suffering loss in business.
Names of Companies Involved:
There are various prominent names blaming Google of being close to ignoring their existence on its search engine. These names include Flipkart, Facebook, Nokia, Bharat matrimony, nonprofit Consumer Unity and Trust Society.
Sundar Pichai, the Google CEO.
However, there are websites within the country which have refused to participate in this complaint. These companies are Times Internet, Make My Trip, Group M, and Rediff.
Possible Consequences for Google:
Last year Google had paid a fine of $166,000 after having failed to cooperate with a probe. If this year the company finds itself itself in a similar situation, it may have to pay 10% of its revenues. Google’s net income is $14 billion on $66 billion in revenue for 2014 according to what the company revealed last year.
European Union’s Competition Chief, Margrethe Vestager speaks about Google in a media conference in April, 2015.
Rumours and accusations of Google catering primarily to its own self-interests have been floating around since forever. More recently in April this year, European Commission launched a statement which accused the company with similar allegations like the Indian authorities, and stated that Google:
“…abused its dominant position in the markets for general internet search services in the European Economic Area (EEA) by systematically favouring its own comparison shopping product in its general search results pages”
It formally charged Google of violating EU competition and antitrust laws by exploiting its foothold in the virtual world. Google responded to this in September by claiming the accusations are false and unfounded. While both sides have their own respective arguments to offer, no conclusion has been reached so far. Google has courted legal entanglements for over a decade now, and prominent names like Microsoft and TripAdvisor have been among the complainants. Let’s see how the company sails through the choppiness of Indian and European turbulence this time.
How surprised would you be if we told you that the world’s best selling phone is not the iPhone but something very old and not a smartphone at all? Remember the classic old Nokia 1100, the phone we all perhaps began with? While the iPhone 6 may have sold 71 million units in about three months, the numbers have nothing on the Nokia 1100.
The Nokia 1100 was an entry-level handset that came out in 2003. At the time it was perhaps the best thing to ever hit the mobile market. Lets consider this a 2003 post and talk of the specs that makes the phone a true badass. The handset does not come with two cameras, a curved screen or a snapdragon processor. What it does feature is a torch-light, a pair of no-slip grips, dust-proof case, monochrome graphic with, wait for it, 96 x 65 pixels, monophonic ringtones (36 pre-installed, 7 user-made), interchangeable covers, and an unbreakable will (we mean it).
This smooth handset can also store up to 50 contacts and 50 messages (25 sent, 25 received) and gives a whopping 400 hours standby time between charges. But the one thing that really tied this phone together was Snakes II and Space Impact – those 8-bit games that were played by 250 million people around the world.
We say 250 million because that’s how many units of the Nokia 1100 were sold by 2008, becoming not only the world’s best selling phone, but also the best selling consumer electronics device. There are many reasons behind why the 1100 was the craze at the time. For one thing, the phone was highly affordable at about $100 with all the features mentioned above, which were all that one needed at the time.
The phone was discontinued in 2008 because of the next wave of phones that were coming in, However, in 2009, the obsolete device became something of a collectors item as they were being sold for obscene amounts of money – say $32,000 a piece.
But if you thought you had seen the last of the Nokia 1100, think again. There are rumors that the classic handset might come back with a technological makeover. In March this year, the Nokia 1100 was seen in a GeekBench’s database and suggested that the 2016 Nokia 1100 will feature a quad-core 1.3GHz MediaTek MT-6582 processor and will reportedly run on Android 5.0. However, this could all be an elaborate ruse by Nokia to use an old model since under the terms of its deal with Microsoft, Nokia cannot offer a new smartphone under the last quarter of 2016. It would be fun, though, to see what the 1100 would look like fitted with all the new toys today.
Would you like to see the classic Nokia 1100 back in the market? Let us know in the comments below.
Google-owned robots are somewhat like YouTube stars, however, Google still is not ready to discuss their robotics operations publicly. Reports suggest, that they are currently laying a foundation for ‘intelligent and multipurpose robots’.
Further reports also have suggested that Google wants to separate their internet services from their research arms and unrelated businesses. So, going ahead with that goal, they will be creating a separate robotics division for robotics within Alphabet. Boston Robotics, which is a company that makes robots for the US military will be operating within Alphabet with some independence.
Google’s robotics division has made great strides towards their goals especially with the autonomy they get under Alphabet. They have eight robotics acquisitions including Boston Dynamics and are using their resources to build domestic helpers or security droids for the future.
To update us on what they’re working on, Google sometimes publishes research papers and one of these papers was recently published in Cornell University’s Arxiv repository. This particular paper revealed that the company has been “experimenting with feeding short video clips into machines’ electronic brains to improve their vision.”
All signs point to the fact that Google is making an effort to make robots a part of our domestic lives soon. Till then, let’s just hope we don’t really have to ever be in an I-Robot type situation ever.
There’s an event happening on October 6 and invites for it are already out. Microsoft is gearing up unveil the new Surface Pro 4 along with the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. We’ve already spoken about the Lumia phones and what you can expect. Now we have some dirt on the Surface Pro 4 as well.
Whispers suggest that Microsoft is planning to come out with two variants of the Surface Pro 4. While one is expected to have a 12-inch display, much like the Surface Pro 3, the other is rumoured to feature a huge 14-inch screen with a 1440 x 2160 resolution and 185 ppi. The Surface Pro line are known for their sharp displays and the Surface Pro 4 looks to maintain the name. This could be Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s new iPad Pro, but we can only confirm this once the device is out in the open.
Other features of the upcoming Surface Pro 4 suggest that the tablet will use the new Skylake Core chipset from Intel. Up to 16 GB RAM will be available, with internal storage as high as 500 GB, and will run on the latest Windows 10 OS. We could also see a better battery backup as that’s one area that has been wanting.
In terms of design, makers at Microsoft have expressed that they are likely to stick with the current Surface Pro 3 look. You can also expect to see a new stylus in the offing considering the new Microsoft Edge browser on Windows 10 uses some new handwriting functions.
No information of what the Surface Pro 4 will cost, but it is expected to be priced similar to its predecessor, which means you could see a base price tag of $799. The event will be held on Tuesday, October 6th in New York City. Follow this space for updates on the announcements.
The Nexus 5X and 6P had been revealed at the Google event held on the 29th of September, 2015. Both devices were announced to arrive with the new Android Marshmallow version along with many other upgraded specs. Today, we’ve come to know that the Nexus 6P will arrive in India, sooner than expected.
Flipkart has already put up a small teaser of the device, however this time it does not have a ticker that shows the pre-order date. But, what we do know is, that the device will be shipping for pre-ordered customers later this month so, we can expect the pre-order to begin in India around the same time. Reports also suggest that it could go on sale next month.
The Google Nexus 6P could be priced at Rs. 39,999 for the 32GB, Rs. 42,999 for the 64GB, and Rs. 47,999 for the 128GB variant. It also comes in three colour variants – Aluminium, Graphite and Frost White.
New reports have suggested that Motorola will release the Moto X Style in India soon. There are no confirmed dates for the said device, however this is what was tweeted by the company :
Get ready to live life to the fullest & party in 15 minutes flat with the Moto X Style. Coming very soon! pic.twitter.com/7b9JgGtPPP
That doesn’t seem too bad at all, since they’re already tweeting about it, we can probably expect the process to begin soon.
Why should you be excited about the new Moto X Style? Well, apart from being a high-end phone, it is an upgrade from the X Play that Motorola has brought to India in September. It is powered by the Snapdragon 808 processor, contains a 3GB of RAM and flaunts and display that is larger than 5.7 inches. The display is further enhanced by a QHD (2560×1440) resolution too. The Moto X Style will come with a 21MP rear camera and dual SIM support. The only down side of this phone is that it features a smaller battery.
Till now this is all we know. However, we will bring you the latest updates and official announcement of the release dates as soon as it’s out.
Stagefright, Android’s media playback system, was found with a bug earlier this year in July. The bug allowed hackers to break into any device by simply sending a specifically structured text message. However Google promptly responded to this and fixed the bug.
You ask how is this news relevant now, in a world of iPhone launches and Google events, about half a year away from Stagefright’s illness? The answer lies with a similar discovery made by Zimperium, the same company which had earlier found this bug. Stagefright is open to two such similar bugs and requires no more than a certain kind of multimedia message this time.
This basically means that a hacker can remotely execute a code of a device by sending an MP3 or MP4 file containing the required malware to the user. Zimperium mentioned in a blog post,
“The vulnerability lies in the processing of metadata within the files, so merely previewing the song or video would trigger the issue.”
The one way you can protect yourself from malware until these bugs get fixed is to avoid opening messages containing multimedia files from unknown sources.
Cochin becomes India’s first city to have an airport entirely powered by solar energy. This comes as great news for a country already struggling with electricity deficit. The city, famous for its beauty and the consequent tourism, now has another feather added to its cap. The airport is also the largest in the world to operate completely on solar power.
The solar plant was constructed by German engineering giant Bosch with a specification of 12 MWp. It consists of 46,150 solar panels across 45 acres to generate power. The airport further possesses 100 kilowatt peak (kWp) rooftop photovoltaic (PV) plant which was first built in 2013.
According to the Airport Authority’s website, the plant would be able to cut down on carbon emissions over the next 25 years in quantities equivalent to planting 3 million trees, or not driving 1.2 billion km (750 million miles). Inspired by the success of the Cochin airport, the government of India plans to equip 30 airports across the country in the same manner.
World’s first 3D printing pen, 3Doodler, made its debut about two years ago in 2013. Yes, it is what the name suggests – a device that lets you doodle physical objects in thin air. We know what you’re probably thinking:
Shakalaka Boom Boom pencil in the house, boys and girls.
What we’re talking about instead is a prettier, less creepy and more-within-your reach sort of an option. Developed by Peter Dilworth and Maxwell Bogue of WobbleWorks LLC, the updated version of 3Doodler called 3Doodler 2.0 made its debut earlier this year. Began as a Kickstarter campaign in 2013, 3Doodlers make use of plastic thread which is melted, shaped into an object desired by the doodler and then left to cool.
The updated model is a sleeker, lighter and more convenient version of 3Doodler and is available at a price of around Rs.10,000 in India. Surprisingly enough the older model is available on Amazon for about Rs.24,000. 3D doodling can be used for numerous purposes including design, miniature modelling, in architecture and interior designing, for arts and crafts projects, or for creating the best Halloween masks, if all else fails.
For a closer look at the wonders this little device is capable of, take a look at the video below:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the Silicon Valley was a lot more than just a meeting to bring the heads of Google, Microsoft and Facebook together to invest in India. Beyond the ‘Digital India’ campaign lies a call for young computer engineers in India to create.
The PM has seen the future, and it is a digital future. Think about it. Everything we see, hear about, learn, or need is most likely found on the internet or through an app. There’s practically an app for everything today. There was a time when standard phone messaging was all that existed until someone developed Whatsapp and Snapchat and completely changed the way people interact through messages. Now standard SMS has practically become obsolete.
Every programmer needs to know coding to bring their ideas online. If you’ve always dreamed of creating an iOS or Android app, or full-fledged website, then Siddhant Puri, an Electric Engineer and Computer Science graduate from UC Berkeley, has some tips and suggestions on how to get started.
Why learn coding?
“Obama & will.I.am tried to learn how to code. It’s strange how the tables have turned. Society suddenly respects that kid who used to be on the computer on IRC channels just derping on the internet and learning more about it.” – Siddhant Puri
Until a few years ago, you would be scouring all over your city looking for various products, and then there came apps such as Amazon and eBay that made sure you wouldn’t need to leave your house to buy something.
Apps have not only made life ridiculously easy for us but it has also opened up new possibilities and opportunities for those who have created the apps and made them what it is today. Anyone can create an app based on a simple idea. But before they can do that, they need to know the ‘how to’ aspect. This is where coding comes into play.
A programmer fails 10,000 times before progressing.
The first thing you need to do is know what you want to create. “Instead of learning for the sake of learning, learn with a purpose,” says Puri. It can be an app or a personal website, as long as it is something definitive. Secondly, patience is the key for any programmer. Every website or app will come with its own set of bugs and glitches which can drive you insane if you’re not patient enough about it.
You can always Google for help related to what you want to do and how to go about it. However, here are a few helpful sites suggested by Puri that can help you get started.
Treehouse: This is a paid website where you can learn practically everything from web designing to app development. The site offers hundreds of courses across various topics such as HTML, Javascript, WordPress, iOS, and Android that allows for an in-depth study. The website is useful for both beginners and professionals alike, and it’s worth every penny.
StackOverflow: This is basically Reddit for programmers. It is a place where questions related to bugs and glitches or any programming related queries can be posted and can be answered by anyone.
Coursera: This is a course conducted by University of Michigan. It is a 2-month course that covers the fundamentals of programming using Python and is useful for anyone who has a lot of time on their hands. The applications have already begun and the deadline for the current session (September 15 – November 9) end on October 6th.
Codecademy: With over 25 million users, Codecademy is a great place to learn the basics of coding and connect with other young entrepreneurs. Watch how one developer made it big by joining Codecademy.
Udacity: Offers full programs that guide you step by step. This is perhaps one of the most thorough sites out there that helps you immerse yourself in coding, but it is an expensive affair. “I’ve personally met the team and the course managers and they are a very determined group of people trying to make this process very fruitful for you. This would be my recommendation if money was not an issue,” Puri says.
Finally, whatever course you do plan on taking, and if you are determined to learn the art of coding, you need to stick to it. Having a mentor or finding a community will really help you with your goal.
“And make sure the first line of code you print is HELLO WORLD.”
Why ‘Hello World’? It’s because it is typically one of the simplest programs possible in most programming languages, it is by tradition often used to illustrate to beginners the most basic syntax of a programming language.
So get to it, dreamers.
A special thanks to Siddhant Puri for sharing his experience straight from Silicon Valley.
