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  • Samsung Launches New Range Of Smart TVs In India, Price Starts At Rs. 24,900

    Samsung Launches New Range Of Smart TVs In India, Price Starts At Rs. 24,900

    Samsung on Monday launched a range of smart televisions for the Indian market. These new devices are manufactured locally and vary in sizes from 32 inches to 82 inches. While these are not the first range of smart TVs by the company to be available in India, they are claimed to have some industry-first features. All the new products have been launched in a new range called ‘Unbox Magic Series’.

    Samsung Smart TVs

    The newest members of Samsung’s smart TV lineup are claimed to offer superior colours, details and contrast levels. Among the plethora of features these devices share, the first one is a personal computer mode. This lets the user utilise the televisions as a computer, using popular services such as making word or powerpoint files through the cloud. An option of mirroring one’s laptop with the TV without any internet connection is also provided. The second feature utilizes several visual elements which are highlighted while playing music from certain applications.

    One more feature of the new Samsung smart televisions is the ability to create local cloud storage. With the USB drive attached to the TV, users can back up their media wirelessly, without an internet connection. This is expected to save storage space in the smartphone as the data is automatically backed up whenever the mobile device is in close proximity to the TV. Other features of the smart TV include a live casting feature, which will help share media over the internet in real time; and a simultaneous two way syncing between the TV and the mobile device. Also included is the company’s Smart Hub, which curates content across different sources and displays them on the screen.

    Pricing & Availability

    Also read: Nubia Alpha Foldable Smartwatch Launched In China

    While Samsung has announced smart televisions with the aforementioned features, more details about the devices are still awaited. It is expected to be made available starting April 11 via the major online and offline retailers. The 32 inch TV will be available at a price of Rs 24,900 and the prices of other models will be announced soon.

  • Nubia Alpha Foldable Smartwatch Launched In China

    Nubia Alpha Foldable Smartwatch Launched In China

    Chinese smartphone maker Nubia announced its Alpha wearable at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona in the month of February. It is the world’s first foldable smart wearable and was first shown off at the IFA last year. The company has freshly made the Nubia Alpha official in its home country, China.

    Nubia Alpha

    In terms of specifications, the Nubia Alpha has a 4 inch flexible OLED display which is produced in collaboration with Visionox; a known maker of OLED displays. The screen has a resolution of 960 x 192 px and a pixel density of 245 ppi. According to the company, the display has been tested for durability and should be good for at least 1,00,000 bends. The device is made out of stainless steel and has two buttons on the right side and the sensors housed up front. Unlike most smartwatches, it has a camera built-in. There is a 5MP f/2.2 sensor for taking selfies and making video calls from the device. 

    Under the hood, the Nubia Alpha has been kitted with a 28nm Snapdragon Wear 2100 SoC. The chipset has a Quad-core CPU and Adreno 304 GPU. Notably, the processor was released in 2016 and since has been succeeded by the new Snapdragon Wear 3100. The device features 1GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. It also has an IP67 rating for protection against water and dust.

    The Nubia Alpha is powered by a 500mAh battery, which the company claims can last up to two days depending on its usage. It has features like fitness tracking, mobile payments, and voice calls either through its built-in speaker or a connected Bluetooth headset. The smartwatch also has gesture controls. These will allow the user to scroll the content on the display in all four directions by waving a finger over the front-facing camera.

    Pricing & Availability

    Also read: Lenovo Z6 Pro To Be Launched With The Snapdragon 855 Chipset

    The Nubia Alpha will be exclusive to the Chinese market for the time being. While it will be announced in certain other European and Asian markets, the Chinese market will be the only one which will get the eSIM variant. The version with eSIM support is priced at CNY 3499  (Rs. 36,300). There is also a variant with 18K Gold with a price of CNY 4499 (Rs. 46,600). It will be available starting the 10th of April in China. 

  • Lenovo Z6 Pro To Be Launched With The Snapdragon 855 Chipset

    Lenovo Z6 Pro To Be Launched With The Snapdragon 855 Chipset

    The Chinese smartphone manufacturer Lenovo is expected to launch its flagship smartphone, the Lenovo Z6 Pro in the upcoming months. For quite some time now, the company has been teasing the release of the aforementioned smartphone. The device is speculated to feature never-seen-before specifications in a smartphone, and Lenovo is making sure that its customers remain followed up on the same. For the same reason, the company has now confirmed that the Lenovo Z6 Pro will ship with the Snapdragon 855 SoC.

    Expected Specifications

    The Lenovo Z6 Pro is expected to be built along the lines of its predecessor, the Lenovo Z5 Pro GT. However, where the Z5 Pro GT sported a sliding mechanism to reveal the dual front cameras, the Z6 Pro may or may not carry over this feature. In terms of the specifications, the Lenovo Z6 Pro will run on an overclocked version of the Snapdragon 855 chipset, which one of the most powerful mobile chipsets available in the market right now. It comprises of the Qualcomm Kryo 485 Octa-core CPU and the Adreno 640 GPU.

    In terms of the camera, Lenovo is claiming that the Z6 Pro will have a ‘HyperVision’ camera which will redefine the way videos are recorded. As per a recent teaser by the company, the device will be capable of capturing 100-megapixel images. Apparently, the company may work around the AI in the smartphone to achieve this feat, but once launched, this will be the highest camera megapixel count ever seen in a smartphone.

    Also Read: ASUS 5G Concept Smartphone Renders Show Off Stylish Slider Design

    As of now, no further specifications of the smartphone are available, but the device may retain some features from its predecessor. It is speculated to sport an in-display fingerprint sensor similar to the Z5 Pro GT. In terms of memory, the Z6 Pro may be launched with 12 GB RAM and 512GB for the top variant. Moreover, the device may have the same 6.4 inch AMOLED display featured in the Lenovo Z5 Pro GT. The device may officially be launched in the month of April or May.

     

  • Honor 20 Pro Specifications Leaked, To Have A Triple Camera Setup

    Honor 20 Pro Specifications Leaked, To Have A Triple Camera Setup

    Honor, a subsidiary of Huawei launched its current flagship smartphone, the Honor 10 last year. The device offered top tier specifications at a lower price than the competition. Fresh leaks suggest the company is planning to launch a new flagship smartphone reportedly called the Honor 20 Pro which might launch soon. In addition to the Pro variant, the company is also assumed to launch a standard variant of the Honor 20 which was leaked previously

    Honor 20 Pro

    The Honor 20 Pro will be the newest flagship smartphone by the company. It is expected to have the same design language as its predecessor, complete with glass on the front and back with a metal chassis. The leak reveals it will have a 6.1 inch OLED display with a FullHD+ resolution. To keep the screen to body ratio as high as possible, the device will have a waterdrop notch on the top of the display. For biometrics and security, the handset will have an in-display fingerprint sensor with support for face unlock technology.

    The leak further insinuates Honor 20 Pro will be kitted with the 7nm Kirin 980 SoC. The chipset has an Octa-core CPU and Mali G76 GPU. In terms of optics, the smartphone will have a triple rear camera setup. It will consist of a 48MP sensor, combined with a 20MP ultra-wide angle sensor and an 8MP telephoto sensor. For selfies, the device will have a 32MP camera housed in the notch on the top of the display. In terms of memory and storage, the Honor 20 Pro will be available in the following variants.

    • 6GB RAM and 128GB ROM
    • 8GB RAM and 128GB ROM
    • 8GB RAM and 256GB ROM

    The Honor 20 Pro will be powered by a 3650mAh battery with support for 22.5W fast charging. For enhanced gaming and CPU performance, the smartphone will support the company’s CPU/GPU Turbo technology. 

    Pricing & Availability
    Honor View 20

    Also read: Xiaomi To Soon Launch An Affordable 4K 50 Inch TV In India

    The latest leak of the Honor 20 Pro claims it may be launched on the 25th of April. Pricing of the smartphone will start at CNY 2999 (Rs. 31,000) for the version with 6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. The variant with 8GB of RAM and 128GB onboard memory will cost CNY 3399 (Rs. 35,200). Top end variant of the device with 8GB RAM and 256GB of internal storage will retail at CNY 3799 (Rs. 39,400).

  • Xiaomi To Soon Launch An Affordable 4K 50 Inch TV In India

    Xiaomi To Soon Launch An Affordable 4K 50 Inch TV In India

    In the month of January this year, Xiaomi extended its Mi TV lineup in India by launching the 55-inch Mi TV 4X Pro and 43-inch Mi TV 4A Pro. Soon after their launch, the company launched yet another affordable TV, the 32 inch 4A Pro. According to a notable tipster on Twitter, the company is now planning to launch another TV, the 50-inch Mi TV 4A which has a 4K UHD display. 

    Mi TV 4A 50-Inch Features

    Interestingly, the Mi TV 4A 50-inch is not a new product as it was previously launched in China last year. Nevertheless, it offers most features that are expected of a 50 inch UHD television. According to the source, the upcoming TV will carry a different moniker in India and will be price below the Mi TV 4X Pro variants.

    In terms of design, the Mi TV 4A 50 inch has a sleek look with thin bezels surrounding the large display. The display panel has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 px and a static contrast ratio of 5000:1. It has a 178 degree wide viewing angle and a refresh rate of 60 Hz. Noteworthy, the upcoming TV also supports HDR10+ content. Under the hood, it is kitted with the 64-bit Amlogic L962 chipset with four 1.5GHz Cortex-A53 cores along with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of onboard storage.

    In terms of connectivity, the Xiaomi Mi TV 4A has 802.11 Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.2, three HDMI ports, two USB ports, AV in, Ethernet port, and S/PDIF audio output. Similar to other Mi TV 4A models, the upcoming TV runs the company’s custom PatchWall UI which offers a wide variety of content in numerous languages.

    Mi TV 4A 50-Inch Price

    Also Read: Apple Watch Saves Another 23-Year Old’s Life

    The India specific pricing of the Mi TV 4A 50-Inch will be announced at the time of its official launch which is assumed to happen soon. Though, it can be priced similar to its Chinese counterpart which costs Yuan 2099 (Rs. 22,000).

  • Apple Watch Saves Another 23-Year Old’s Life

    Apple Watch Saves Another 23-Year Old’s Life

    Apple launched the Series 4 Apple Watch in September 2018, and the watch has significant improvements over its predecessors. One of the most noteworthy features is the improvement in the heart rate sensor, which informed the wearer regarding any spikes or drops in the heart rate, even if the user doesn’t feel any symptoms. Previously, owing to the fall detection feature of the smartwatch, a 67-Year old man was rescued by Emergency services and provided life-saving assistance. As per a Reddit post, a user accredited his life to the Apple Watch’s Heartbeat detection feature.

    As per the user, he was in bed and watching TV when his Apple Watch alerted him regarding a heartbeat anomaly, and then suddenly, his heartbeat spiked up. It was then he realized something was actually wrong with his heart and he called the ER (Emergency Services). When the medics arrived, they found him in a state of shock and he was taken to the hospital and shifted to Trauma. It was later found out that he was suffering from Supraventricular Tachycardia (a condition in which the heart rate stays over 100 bpm, even if all the chambers of the heart are functioning normally).

    Also Read: ASUS 5G Concept Smartphone Renders Show Off Stylish Slider Design

    The Apple Watch Series 4 regularly monitors the heartbeat of the user and also keeps a track of the heart’s performance throughout the day. The overall statistics can be analyzed in the iPhone Health application. If the heart rate sensor on the Apple Watch detects anything unusual with the heartbeat, it alerts the user. If no further action is taken, the Emergency SOS feature alerts all the emergency contacts, calls the medical helpline number, sends your current location and displays the Medical ID badge of the wearer on the screen. 

     

  • ASUS 5G Concept Smartphone Renders Show Off Stylish Slider Design

    ASUS 5G Concept Smartphone Renders Show Off Stylish Slider Design

    In a time where every smartphone manufacturer is experimenting with a host of innovations, devices with never-heard-of features are emerging. For instance, devices like the Mi Mix used their OLED screens to resonate sound, whereas smartphones like the Huawei P30 Pro have cameras with extraordinary zooming capabilities. Freshly released renders for a concept smartphone from ASUS reveal a captivating dual slider design and a display with almost no bezels.

    The renders were actually developed by a designer who previously worked on the design of the ASUS Zenfone 5 but was shared on Twitter by noted tipster Evan Blass (@evleaks). A total of two designs were spotted in the images. The first design shows off a unique slider mechanism that shifts downwards to reveal dual front selfie cameras. On the sides of the cameras lie the LED flash “strips” which cover nearly 60% of the whole area.

    First Smartphone Render – Design

    When the device is slid upwards, an attractive speaker grille bearing the label of Harman Kordan speakers is observed. This indicates the fact that the smartphone may have dual front firing speakers, but it’s unclear how both the speakers will function together simultaneously. The concept smartphone has a dual rear camera setup positioned at the top of the back panel. Along with the presence of the LED flash, a noteworthy feature of the back panel is the absence of a fingerprint scanner, hinting towards the fact that the device may have an in-display fingerprint scanner. 

    Second Smartphone Render – Design

    The second smartphone design shifts the perspective towards more of a “camera-oriented” device. Where the first render had a single LED flash strip for the front-facing cameras, the second concept shows off a separate LED flash for each of the dual selfie shooters when the slider is shifted downwards. Also, both the cameras are placed at a notable distance from each other.

    As per the renders, the screen can be slid upwards to reveal another display which is much smaller than the primary display. In the image, the small screen shows controls for image exposure, a function option, a zoom slider and a camera shutter button. However, the controls may not be just limited to the camera, in fact, each app may have its own set of touch controls to integrate with the miniature display. The back of the smartphone has a set of dual cameras that are placed together in a single module, with the left side being flanked by the LED flash. Also, a fingerprint scanner can clearly be spotted on the back, which is placed between the camera and the ASUS branding.

    Also Read: Interesting Facts About PUBG That You Probably Did Not Know

    Since both the smartphones are born out of mere concept renders, no specifications are known as of now. Even the chance the ASUS works on similarly-designed smartphones seems bleak, but in the minute probability that it does happen, the smartphones are sure to catch some attention.

  • Galaxy S10 Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor Hacked Using 3D Printing

    Galaxy S10 Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor Hacked Using 3D Printing

    Samsung launched the Galaxy S10 lineup of smartphones at an event in February. The devices that were announced include the Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G and Galaxy S10e. While the latter used a physical, side mounted fingerprint sensor for unlocking the device, the former three have a new technology onboard. They use an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner made by chipmaker Qualcomm and are the first devices in the world to do so. While Samsung claimed the technology is secure than most fingerprint sensors in the market, fresh reports say otherwise. A user who goes by the name ‘darkshark’ on multimedia sharing website Imgur revealed the ultrasonic fingerprint scanners can be fooled using 3D printing.

    How Does It Work?
    I attempted to fool the new Samsung Galaxy S10’s ultrasonic fingerprint scanner by using 3d printing. I succeeded.

    The video shared by the user shows a Galaxy S10+ being unlocked using the aforementioned method. A 3D printed fingerprint is kept in front of the smartphone with the user pressing down on it while wearing gloves unlocks the device with ease. In an explanation of how he achieved that, the post read that the user took a photograph of his fingerprint on the side of a glass using a smartphone. Then he increased certain aspects of the image like increasing the contrast and creating an alpha mask using Photoshop software. Using another software, 3Ds Max he then created a 3D model of the fingerprint and then printed it using a 3D printer.

    Also read: Ten Legendary Games That Changed Gaming Forever

    According to the user, 3D printing the fingerprint took them around 13 minutes. The video was shared as a warning for users of the Galaxy S10. The post also reads that it is possible to imitate a fingerprint from across a room using a DSLR camera with a long focal length. This process is claimed to take only 3 minutes, which can be hazardous for users, as most of their account details and personal information can be accessed as a result. It is also not the very first-time biometric security has been fooled on a smartphone. A similar case occurred with the iPhone X when a 3D face was used to unlock the device via the FaceID technology. 

  • OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition Back In Stock For Limited Time In India

    OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition Back In Stock For Limited Time In India

    OnePlus launched its latest flagship, the OnePlus 6T back in the month of October last year. Soon after the launch of the high-end smartphone, the company launched its beefed-up variant the McLaren edition. As the name suggests the handset was designed and developed in collaboration with McLaren, a legendary sports car maker from Britain. In comparison to the standard OnePlus 6T, the McLaren Edition variant has higher RAM capacity, faster-charging speeds and a distinctive design. 

    OnePlus 6T McLaren

    The OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition measures 157.5 x 74.8 x8.2 mm and tips the scale at 185 g. The front of the smartphone accommodates a curved 2.5D, 6.41-inch Optic AMOLED display which is protected with Corning Gorilla Glass 6. The display panel has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px and a pixel density of 402 ppi. The front of the handset also features a waterdrop notch which houses the 16 MP selfie camera which can also capture 1080p videos at 30 fps. Like the standard OnePlus 6T, it also has an in-display fingerprint sensor. In addition to the fingerprint sensor, it also supports Face Unlock technology.

    The rear glass panel of the OnePlus 6T McLaren edition has a Carbon-Fiber like design that carries the McLaren logo. To provide the smartphone with an elegant look, the rear panel also has a Papaya Orange accent run across its sides. The device sports a dual rear camera setup which consists of a 16 MP sensor, a 20 MP sensor and a Dual LED flash. Connectivity options on the smartphone include dual 4G VoLTE, 802.11 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, GPS, and bottom mounted USB Type-C port for charging and data syncing.

    In terms of memory and storage, the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition has 10 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. The smartphone is kitted with the Snapdragon 845 SoC which consists of an Octa-Core CPU along with the Adreno 630 GPU. It is powered by a 3700 mAh lithium-ion battery which supports Warp 30 charge. As the name suggests, Warp 30 charges the device with 30 watts of maximum power. In comparison, the standard OnePlus 6T can only be charged with a maximum power of 20 watts.

    Price And Availability

    Also Read: Interesting Facts About PUBG That You Probably Did Not Know

    The OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is available for a price of Rs 50,999. Noteworthy, the device will be available for purchase for a limited period of time. Therefore, interested buyers must act fast if they wanna get their hands on the opulent smartphone.

  • Ten Legendary Games That Changed Gaming Forever

    Ten Legendary Games That Changed Gaming Forever

    Gaming is no longer just a hobby, it’s a crude passion for someone who aims to get better with every game played. In the age of AAA titles making its way to libraries all across the globe, it’s tough to pick up a game to play, and it’s even tougher to pull your gaze away from the screen after you have done so. Each developing generation of games brings a storyline that is deeply immersive and has characters that are true to life. Protagonists like Dante from Devil May Cry and Kratos from God Of War are a reminder to fight evil with utmost brutality, whereas characters like Lara Croft from Tomb Raider are a symbol of unending perseverance and fire.

    Over time, Video games have evolved, but the legacy that recent games have built is laid on the foundation of classic games that redefined the way games were perceived as. And no, we are not just talking about games like Super Mario Bros. and Sonic. We are talking games that have remastered versions being developed even today, after all these years. Games that you can play today and still enjoy without a shred of guilt. 

    Let’s have a look at what we think are the 10 most legendary video games of all time. Note that the list is not sorted, so there is no particular preference here.

    Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare

    Call of Duty is a name that’s still associated with modern day FPS games, and quite rightly so since the term “Call-of-Duty-style-gameplay” wasn’t coined from nothing. The game brought a host of features to conventional shooting gameplay. And note that we are not just talking about the multiplayer experience here. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 had one of the best storylines ever featured in an FPS game, and for the aforementioned reasons, the Legendary game was presented with the VGX award for the Best Shooter in 2011, the same year in which the game was released.

    The game is available on PC, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3

    Half-Life 

    If you are into gaming 1998 onwards, you would definitely know what Half-Life is. The PC shooter completely revolutionized story mode gameplay by introducing a character that had no voice and face, hence devoid of personality. Allowing the player to imagine himself/herself as whatever he/she wants to be, Valve Studios decided to remove any kind of cinematics from the game, thus ensuring that the story’s fillers and essential parts are narrated in the premises of the game itself. The game had a sequel, which was released in 2004, and still remains one of the highest rated game sequels of all time. Sadly, it’s been almost 15 years and a third iteration of the game hasn’t released yet, even though fans had their fingers crossed the entire time. 

    The game is available on PC.

    Halo

    Some of the biggest FPS titles today have Halo to thank for some of the most intuitive features that the game brought to the scene. If you’re oblivious to the same, Halo was the first game that gave birth to the out-of-combat-regeneration feature, and very much so, games like Call of Duty, Battlefield and Medal of Honor still rely on similar mechanics in their latest releases. Some other innovative elements include exciting vehicles, a standard 2-weapon carry limit and melee combat. Plus, the game was one of the earliest true FPS games on a console, and that gave birth to a fanbase which is still as loyal. Furthermore, the franchise is coming to PC soon, so there is another reason to catch up with the same.

    The game is available on Xbox. 

    Wolfenstein 3D

    Are you getting tired of FPS games? Because there is one more game which ACTUALLY lay the foundation stone of what FPS is and what it could be. Originally released in 1993, Wolfenstein was an intense 3D fast paced shooter that had action-packed combat, making it one of the most engaging games of its time. Another game in our list, Doom was based on Wolfenstein’s design model, and went on to build its own legacy, just like Wolfenstein 3D did. God knows what FPS would have been like without the creation of a game like this.

    The game is (or was) available on PC.

    Mortal Kombat

    If you look at video games and wonder where all the bloodshed therein came from, Mortal Kombat will probably top the list. Some creators say that Mortal Kombat was the sole reason why the ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) started regulating video games more seriously. Either way, Mortal Kombat introduced characters like Skorpion and Rayden, which were undoubtedly the coolest characters of their time. The game was released way back in 1992, and amidst all the 2D combat, Fatalities (which involved decapitation and slashes of sorts) became very popular, and the genre of the game is carried forward to rebooted versions of the same today.

    The game was originally available on the SEGA console, but the later versions of the game are playable on PC, Xbox and PlayStation as well.

    Super Mario Bros

    Mario is a very common name in Italy, and even more popular as the game which gave birth to countless unforgettable moments. First spotted in 1981 in the insanely viral “Donkey Kong” game, Mario’s first character got its first solo appearance in the 1985 game “Super Mario Bros”. A game that literally needs no introduction, it was first released on the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), and offered a fun 8-bit gameplay with equally fun to experience music. Apparently, Mario was in search of his princess, and you, the player had to help him achieve his goal by besting everyone and everything that stood in your way. Almost 50 iterations of the original game have been released till now, and the developers have no intentions of slowing down.

    The game is available on the NES.

    Doom

    As mentioned before, Doom was created by the same developers who designed and put Wolfenstein on the map. The game, when released, was nothing short of perfect. It had everything to propel it to the very top: the perfect level of mystery and thrill, seismic music that put players on edge while playing and action-packed combat physics that were never seen before. Players played in the cast of the devil, who was the protagonist of the game, and his sole goal is to eliminate all forms of demons and filth roaming everywhere around him. A little ironic, but since its release in 1993, the game has been adapted into more than 10 versions of the same, each more demanding than the last.

    The latest game is now available on all major platforms, including PC, Xbox and PlayStation.

    Street Fighter

    One year before the debut of Mortal Kombat to the fighting genre, Street Fighter created ripples as a game that can be enjoyed to levels that can only be deemed as insane. The game had the perfect gameplay depth and design required to engage the players. The game quickly became popular, and players started memorizing all the button combinations in an attempt to become the best at it. Some of the game combinations are even carried over to the modern-day adaptations of the same, with Ryu and Ken’s fireballs being an all-time favourite attack.

    The game was originally available on retro arcade machines, but since then, the game has been made available on all popular platforms.

    Minecraft

    This is probably the only sandbox game on this list, and rightly so, because Minecraft had everything a player needed to spend countless hours on a game that allowed him/her full freedom to experiment with anything he/she wanted. The game had an engaging storyline. The game had one of the biggest open world scenarios ever seen. What’s more, the game is receiving full support from its developers even today, and for this reason, Minecraft still has a huge player base across the world. Also, did we mention that facing a zombie without a weapon in Minecraft during the dead of the night can be the most terrifying thing in the world?

    The game is available in different versions across all major platforms 

    GTA – Grand Theft Auto

    Also Read: Five Best Free Android Games For The Month Of April

    GTA, like Super Mario, needs absolutely no introduction. Rockstar games sold a staggering 90 million copies of Grand Theft Auto 5, generating over 6 billion dollars in revenue – a number that even some amazing Hollywood movies can’t touch. With some awesome storylines spread across all its versions, the franchise remains as one of the highest rated game series of all time. Players can do almost anything in the game that they can do in real life, except firing a gun in public and getting away with it. With the latest games including an open-world multiplayer scenario, the hype for GTA VI (which releases in 2020) is at an all time high.

    The latest GTA games are available on all major platforms today.

  • Interesting Facts About PUBG That You Probably Did Not Know

    Interesting Facts About PUBG That You Probably Did Not Know

    PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds or PUBG has become a worldwide sensation since its launch in the year 2017. The game has seen an exponential amount of exposure which further increased when it was announced for smartphones. PUBG Mobile was launched last year for iOS and Android devices and has since transcended into a pop culture icon. But despite being so popular, some interesting facts about the game are still a mystery. So here are interesting facts about PUBG that even most hardcore fans don’t know.

    Creator of PUBG
    Brendan Greene

    We all know the game, but do we know the man behind it? Brendan Greene is credited as the creator of PUBG. The Irish born game developer got the idea of the game after reading the Hunger Games books. It is said Greene did not know anything about programming and learning it in order to develop the game. In recent news, Greene has said that the sequel to the game, purportedly PUBG 2 is not in the schedule and might never get released as he is done with Battle Royale as a whole.

    The Reason Behind The Name

    The full form of PUBG is PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds as mentioned above. The name is pretty weird and not exactly relevant, and there is a good reason behind it. It is because the creator of the game Brendan Greene was also an avid gamer, and the name he used for his player in the games he played was Player Unknown. All of it makes so much more sense now.

    The Rarest Item In The Game

    The Virtual Red Bandana is one of the rarest items in PUBG. When the game was launched in 2017, the pre-orders were bundled with the item and was available in loot boxes. After a while, the boxes stopped or rarely featured the bandana so its rarity increased manifolds. Kotaku reported the same year that a user bought the in-game item for as high as US$ 1000 (Rs. 69,000). 

    Most Simultaneously Played Game

    PUBG holds the world record for the most simultaneously played game of all time. In December 2017, the game hit 3,106,358 people playing the game simultaneously. Interestingly, the game broke its own record it made in September the same year. Even today, PUBG is in the top five most played game by current count.

    Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

    We all crave for the phrase “Winner Winner Chicken Dinner’ to appear on our screens, announcing our triumph in PUBG. But the phrase wasn’t invented by the game or its creator. It is said during the great depression, a period in the 1930s of economic crisis when people used to gamble. If they played with money and won, they could afford a chicken for dinner. With time, the phrase caught on and became what it is today. Fortunately, we don’t have to gamble to get the chicken dinner for ourselves.

    How Erangel Got Its Name

    Erangel is the most recognised and the primary map in PUBG. But does the name mean anything or is it just fictionary? The name Erangel was inspired by the creator Brendan Greene’s daughter Eryn. So combining ‘Eryn’ with ‘Angel’ gives us one of the most recognisable places by any gamer who has played PUBG.

    Bots In PUBG Mobile

    If you’ve been playing PUBG Mobile for a while now, you would know that the game has bots in places. They are AI generated players that are purposely bad at shooting. But why introduce them in the first place when there is no lack of players in the game? It is said to ease new players to the game, they are made to play in a game with mostly or all bots. This is said to be done until level 10. It is subjective, but many people still think bots ruin the intense, action-packed gaming experience that it so promises.

    PUBG Advertisements

    The parent company of PUBG for PC and consoles, Bluehole corporation didn’t spend any money on advertising the game. It is claimed to be because the word of mouth was so strong that they didn’t need to. On the other hand, PUBG Mobile is one of the first mobile games to have its advertisements broadcasted on television in India. This should give you an idea of how popular the game really is.

    Pochinki Is Real!
    Real Life Pochinki In Russia

    If you’ve played the Erangel map in PUBG enough, there is no need to introduce what Pochinki is. The location on the map has become famous due to it being in the middle and having good hiding spots. But did you know there are several rural localities in Russia named Pochinki? And that Yasnaya Polyana, another famous spot on the map is a writer’s house museum, and also the former house of famous author Leo Tolstoy. Guess there is more to reality than is to fiction in PUBG.

    PUBG Can Ban You For 100 Years!

    Also read: Top Five Free Photo Editing Apps For Android Smartphones

    Cheating is never tolerated anywhere in the world. PUBG is the same, as many people, who allegedly cheated in the game have been banned for as much as a 100 years! According to the company, cheating is defined as using inappropriate programs, bug abuse, etc and can result in a permanent ban. So if you get banned for 100 years, make sure your grandchild takes home the chicken dinner for you.

  • How Did Two College Students Scam Apple Of $ 1 Million?

    How Did Two College Students Scam Apple Of $ 1 Million?

    Allegedly, two Chinese engineering students residing in Oregon, USA scammed Apple of a huge sum, and for the exact same deed, both of them are facing federal charges. The whole scam cost Apple almost US$ 1 Million in replacement parts. As per reports, the students were indulged in malpractices since 2017 and were exploiting Apple’s return policy to a high degree. 

    The real question is, why was this discovered almost two years later, and how did two students manage to elude a trillion dollar technology giant?

    Who Was Involved In The Scam?

    Yangyang Zhou and Quan Jiang are the names of the two who are charged with multiple felonies. As per reports, Yangyang recently completed his engineering degree at the Oregon State University. Yangyang and Quan smuggled thousands of knock-off iPhones from China into the US and forwarded them batch by batch to Apple for repair/replacement. The students claimed that the counterfeit iPhones won’t power on, which was correct, so Apple sent back real iPhones as a replacement to the fake iPhones. All this cost the American technology company a whooping sum of US$ 895,800.

    How Did The Students Manage To Elude Apple?

    Where Yangyang channelled the counterfeit shipments into the US and the real iPhones back to China, Quan, who also studied engineering at Linn Benton Community College in the same city was responsible for managing the funds associated with the deals. The address of the shipments was provided by Quan, and when the replacements were complete, the real iPhones were sent back to China. Consequently, an associate of Quan wired the money to his mother’s account in his hometown. The money was then forwarded to Quan Jiang’s account in the US, reports say.

    As per the complaints, Yangyang and Quan both claimed to be completely alien to the fact that the incoming shipments from China consisted of counterfeit iPhones. Since the charges haven’t been proved yet, both students remitted of custody, however, Quan Jiang is being monitored via GPS. The charges that the students have been accused of are given below:

    • Yangyang Zhou: Illegal Export of Goods
    • Quan Jiang: Trafficking of Counterfeit Goods, Wire Fraud
    The Conclusion

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    Reports say that Apple was unable to verify the ownership and authenticity of the counterfeit iPhones since they weren’t powering on, however, it became even more viable because Apple didn’t ask for a proof of purchase while replacing the devices. Even though both the students refuse to respond to the notices associated with the same, it is unlikely that they will be acquitted of charges.

  • Xiaomi Turns Nine, Top Disruptive Products From The Company

    Xiaomi Turns Nine, Top Disruptive Products From The Company

    With a humble beginning as a company that initially customised Android OS to simplify its usability, Xiaomi has now turned into a global brand that needs no introduction. It originated as a software company in the year 2010 which has now turned into a wildly successful conglomerate that offers products ranging from electronic goods to lifestyle products. On the 6th of April 2019, the company turned nine years old, on this auspicious occasion we congratulate Team Xiaomi and acknowledge their contribution in driving down the costs of technology and making them readily accessible to the masses. Here is a list of top disruptive electronic devices from the company that have had a massive effect on the modern era of gadgets:-    

    Mi 3

    Xiaomi Mi 3 was the first smartphone from the company that made its way into the Indian market in the year 2013. Due to its top tier specifications and an aggressive price, it quickly made its way into the hands of tech enthusiasts. The handset was launched at a price of Rs 13,999 in the country and it had similar specifications to Samsung’s flagship for the respective year, the Galaxy S4. Noteworthy, the Galaxy S4 was priced at Rs 41,500 which sounds outlandish in comparison the Mi 3. 

    Redmi 1s

    The Redmi 1s was the second device launched by Xiaomi in the country and clearly, it was the handset that changed it all for the company. The smartphone was priced at Rs 6,999 which had significantly superior specifications in comparison to its competitors. The main accrediting features that made the Redmi 1s highly successful was its large 4.7-inch display, Octa-Core SoC and the support for dual SIM cards. 

    Redmi Note 4G
    Redmi Note 4G

    The Redmi Note 4G was yet another notable smartphone from Xiaomi that had a huge influence in its flourishing journey. As the name suggests, it was the first 4G handset from Xiaomi in the country which gave it a worthy headstart in the rapidly booming generation of high speed internet telecom. In addition to 4G capabilities, the Redmi Note 4G also had a huge 5.5-inch display which was another factor that pulled customers towards the device.  

    Mi Mix 

    The Mi Mix was the original handset that gave us the glimpse of an all screen, bezel-less smartphone. The device has non-existent bezels on all sides except for a prominent chin at the bottom of the display. The chin not only inhabited the essential components of the display assembly but it was also occupied by the front-facing selfie camera. All in all, the Mi Mix was the smartphone which proved the possibility of developing a smartphone with ultra-thin bezels is possible. Therefore, it cannot be denied that the incipience of a high screen to body ratio smartphone was initiated by it.

    Black Shark 

    The Black Shark was the first gaming smartphone from Xiaomi which in its every aspect feels and perform what a gaming device should be like. In comparison to a conventional flagship smartphone, the Black Shark has a distinctive look with Green accents and LED light strips. The smartphone was designed and developed while keeping gaming enthusiasts in mind and it unquestionably accomplishes what the company advertises it to do. 

    Poco F1

    Another device, another segment disruptor from Xiaomi, the Poco F1 is a sub-US $ 300 smartphone that features the Snapdragon 855 SoC. Before the launch to this handset, similar features in such affordable smartphone were simply unheard of. Due to its flagship specifications and aggressive price tag, the handset turned a lot of heads globally. Though the smartphone has been plagued with a couple of issues like the lack of Widevine L1, it is the only device that offers this high value for money in its price bracket.

    Redmi Note 7 Pro

    The Note 7 Pro is a smartphone from the Redmi brand which separated from Xiaomi earlier this year. It is a device that has put Xiaomi on the global map which is again due to its first in the segment specifications like the Snapdragon 675 SoC. In addition to worthy specifications, the smartphone has top-notch build quality with glass on the front and the back which provides it with a premium feel which Redmi devices in the past skimped on. 

    Honourable Mentions

    Mi Band 

    Mi Band was the first wearable device from Xiaomi that offered the features of a high-end fitness tracker in an affordable and compact package. The band could track the sleep of the wearer and also track their calories. It successors the Mi Band 2 and Mi Band 3 have also been highly popular amongst customers due to an affordable price tag.  

    Mi Power Bank

    Also Read: Five Best Free Android Games For The Month Of April

    Before the launch of the Mi Power Bank, the users had overwhelming options for a simple gadget which ranged in a wide price bracket. The Mi Power Bank accrediting to its praiseworthy build, reliable performance and competitive pricing became a sensational hit amongst the consumers. 

  • Top Five Free Photo Editing Apps For Android Smartphones

    Top Five Free Photo Editing Apps For Android Smartphones

    Smartphone cameras have developed drastically over the past few years. What was once a secondary, optional camera option for most, has now become the primary shooter for many people. But even the best images can need a bit of touching up to make them look better. If you’re using an Android smartphone, the choices of which Photo editor to choose can be overwhelming, with so many options around. We have compiled a list of the five best photo editing applications available on Android.

    Snapseed

    Google’s photo editing app for Google’s Operating System. There are many reasons why Snapseed is a great and powerful editing tool. The application is simple to use, the UI is minimalistic and good looking. What’s more, the AI capabilities of the app is unmatched, with options like changing perspective and adding background blur. Snapseed is completely free to download and use and does not offer any in-app purchases or annoying ads. You can download Snapseed from here.

    Pixlr

    Another great option if looking for powerful photo editors on Android. While it is free to download, users looking for more options can buy certain elements like frames and effects for a fee. However, most of the tools are free and do a great job of giving users the results they might be looking for. The biggest selling point of the app is the crazy 25 photos in one collage feature; with a variety of layouts, backgrounds and spacing between the images. You can check out the app on Google Play by clicking here.

    Adobe Photoshop Express

    Adobe Photoshop is already a well-known name when it is about photo editing softwares on PC. The Photoshop Express app for smartphones might not be as powerful as its PC counterpart but is still useful in its own might. It is completely free to download and use and does not have any advertisements inside the application. The application has many worthy tools to edit images and can sync with other apps like Lightroom on the platform. Furthermore, users can sync with the cloud account and save their progress. Interested users can check out the app here.

    Fotor Photo Editor

    The clever wordplay in the name aside, Fotor is a great photo editing application in its own might. Also an image licensing platform on the side, the app features a scrollable feed, quite like Instagram where the artists can showcase their work. They also can license their work through Pxbee, a stock photo licensing platform and use it to make money. This doesn’t mean the photo editing tools doesn’t have many tools inside. Offering more than 300 photo effects and some professional grade editing tools, Fotor is one of the best free to download apps available for smartphones. Interested users can check Fotor by going on the link here.

    PicsArt Photo Studio

    Also read: Google Store Accidentally Leaks The Upcoming Pixel 3a Smartphone Duo

    Another popular application when looking in the market for great photo editors is PicsArt Photo Studio. Claimed to be installed over 500 million times on smartphones, it is one of the most popular softwares around. The app features over 3000 tools to edit images according to one’s needs. While it is completely free to download, there are certain in-app purchases and advertisements inside the app itself. If you want to check out PicsArt on Google Play, you can do that by going on the link here.

  • Five Best Free Android Games For The Month Of April

    Five Best Free Android Games For The Month Of April

    Google Play Store on the Android OS is filled with an enormous amount of games. All these games are divided into different genres and most of them are free to download. But for a casual gamer, searching the vast collection for the right game is hard. We have compiled a list from different genres to help make this choice easier. Here are the top five Android games that are free to download for the month of April.

    Soul Knight

    Play in randomly generated dungeons in which the character has to cut down an army of monstrous minions. The game boasts of an over the top gameplay along with some unique heroes, each with their own ability. It is completely free to download and play, but some items in the game require real money to purchase. The game is also completely offline, so it can be played without any internet connectivity whatsoever. You can check out the app on Google Play by clicking here.

    Snail Ride

    The main protagonist of the game is a snail, which moves across a twisting stem. The player needs to tap on either side to switch the direction of the snail while avoiding obstacles such as angry ladybugs and thorns. While the speed of the game increases increasingly, it becomes difficult to play. Snail Ride is a new endless runner which aims at appealing to kids with its colourful graphics. The game is free to download and play, however, some items require real money to purchase. You can check out the app on Google Play by clicking here.

    Zombs Royale

    If PUBG style Battle Royale games are your thing, and you are looking for a new game to play in the genre, Zombs Royale may be perfect for you. Featuring a 2D, 100 player Battle Royale, the game offers a Solo, Duo or a Squad mode to play. Some weekend only events in the game offer challenges such as a 50-person team and zombie hordes. The game is completely free to download and play but has items that can be bought for real money. You can check out the app on Google Play by clicking here.

    Space Marshals 2

    Space Marshals 2 offers players tactical combat and stealth action in outer space. The game is a sequel to Space Marshals and continues the Sci-fi wild west adventure in outer space. Various features of the game include HD graphics, over 70 different weapons and a dual stick control option. The game is free to play and all the levels are available for free but there is an option for in-app purchases for certain aspects of the game. Although the game is heavy in size, weighing in around 689MB, it can completely be played offline. Interested users can check out the app on Google Play by clicking here.

    Hello Yogurt

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    In the game, the players need to travel throughout the human digestive system in order to deliver the lactobacillus bacteria to the intestine. This wacky concept is explored fully in the game. There are 35 different levels to choose where to play. The game is completely free to download and play but real money can be spent in order to buy a ‘skip ticket’. You can check out the app on Google Play by clicking here.

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