Friday, April 29, 2016
LeEco Le 2 with 6GB RAM shows up on benchmark listing; launch expected this week
We have seen plenty of LeEco leaks until now. The most recent leak adds to the mystery about the Chinese internet and the technology company’s upcoming smartphone that has been tagged as the Le 2.
While the name of this mystery smartphone has changed time and again, the new leak about its monstrous specifications come from GFXBench where it has been aptly titled the LeEco LeX820. The info page shows of the interesting specifications sheet revealing the all-new Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset that is paired with a whopping 6GB of RAM.
The rest of the specifications reveal a Quad HD display and a Qualcomm Adreno 530 to drive it.
Indeed, this may turn out to be the second smartphone to sport 6GB of RAM after Vivo announced its XPlay 5 Elite. Also impressive is the 21MP primary camera and the 8MP front-facing snapper.
On the software front, the mystery smartphone is expected to run Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.
Thanks to the innumerable leaks that we have seen in the past, it appears that there may be three variants of this smartphone. The first one is expected to pack in 2GB of RAM, the second 4GB and the third one with 6GB. Whatever it is, the company is expected to launch the smartphone in China this week so we can expect the details about this monster soon.
Nextbit Robin to start selling in India this month
Nextbit Robin, which is an entirely cloud-based Android smartphone, is set to launch in India by end of April. The $400 priced Nextbit Robin was open for pre-orders in India last year from its Kickstarter page with $70 additional shipping charges
Nextbit Robin is not a conventionally looking Android smartphone. Tall, square and striking in mint and midnight black colour options, its DNA is the cloud.
Robin will let you dump or offload all that stuff you don’t use on your phone. Nextbit says, “it will always rain them back for you” whenever you need them.
In terms of specs, NextBit Robin is powered by a hexacore Snapdragon 808 processor, with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage with 100GB available on cloud. The device features a 5.2-inch display with full HD (1080 x 1920 pixels) resolution, a 13MP camera with phase detection autofocus and dual tone LED flash and a five megapixel front camera.
The power key doubles up as a fingerprint sensor and the phone has dual speakers and USB 3.0 Type C connector. The 7-mm slim device weighs 150 grams and supports NFC and LTE.
The company CEO Tom Moss served as Worldwide Head of Business Development for Android at Googleuntil 2010, while its CTO Mike Chan overlooked software development right from Android 1.0 through 3.0 Honeycomb. Nextbit’s Chief Product Officer Scott Croyle was formerly SVP of Design and User experience at HTC and was behind popular phones like HTC Evo, One M7 and One M8.
LG launches K7, K10 smartphones in India; priced at Rs 9,500 onwards
LG has introduced its new budget smartphones under the K series - K7 and K10 - in India. The new 4G-enabled phones, which were first unveiled to the world in January at CES 2016, have been introduced in India for under Rs 15,000.
The LG K7 is priced at Rs 9,500, while the K10 carries a price tag of Rs 13,500.
Talking about the specs, the LG K7 features a 5.0-inch FWVGA (854x480) In-cell Touch display, 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 5 megapixel front and rear cameras, 8GB ROM, 1 GB RAM, and a 2,125mAh battery.
The LG K10, on the other hand, comes with a 5.3-inch HD (1280x720) In-cell Touch display, Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor paired with 2 GB of RAM, 13 megapixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera, 16 GB of internal storage and a 2,300mAh battery.
Both the phones run Android 5.1 Lollipop and include a microSD card slot for additional storage. Both devices are equipped with Flash for Selfie on the front and have "design cues borrowed from nature", which give them a premium look.
Lenovo A7000 now receiving Android M update in India
Lenovo has now started rolling out the Android Marshmallow update to A7000 smartphone users in India. The update is available over-the-air (OTA) and users could also manually check for the update via Settings > About Phone > System Update.
The Lenovo A7000 is receiving the new update with build number A7000-a_S153_151127_ROW_TO_A7000-a_S223_160405_ROW. The size of the package is 1359 MB and users are recommended to have at least 2GB of free space on the device before download. The update of the phone will also cover the Android security patch level that was released in March this year.
The Lenovo A7000 sports a 5.5-inch HD display with a 720 x 1280 pixel resolution. It is powered by a 1.5GHz octa-core MediaTek chipset paired with 2GB RAM. On the camera front, the A7000 has an 8MP autofocus rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front facing camera. It has 8GB of onboard storage and can be expanded further via microSD card slot.
In terms of connectivity, the smartphone includes support for 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS/ A-GPS, Bluetooth and microUSB. The device is powered by a 2,900mAh battery. The device weighs 140 grams and will be available in Onyx Black and Pearl White.
Acer Liquid M330 with Windows 10 Mobile launched
Acer has finally launched its Liquid M330 smartphone for the US market. The device is powered by Microsoft’s Windows 10 Mobile and is priced at $99.99 (approximately Rs 6700) and will hit the shelves next month.
The Acer Liquid M330 was announced back at the IFA 2015 among eight other Liquid series smartphones and indeed stands as an affordable Windows 10 Mobile offering.
The handset is primarily made of plastic with a glass screen and packs in budget specifications that should be enough to deliver a smooth Windows 10 Mobile experience minus Continuum.
As for the specs of this humble smartphone, it packs in a 4.5-inch FWVGA (854×480 pixels) display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 chipset. The device features 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage. The camera department consists of 5MP units for both front and rear cameras. Also available is an LED flash on the back.
Connectivity options include 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and the smartphone is powered by a 2000mAh battery.
As sales of Windows Phone devices dwindle, it is a bit surprising as to why Acer would pick up a trail that many others have given up on. Microsoft’s very own Lumia 950 devices seem to be buggy at best, which gives customers little reason to invest in a smartphone that comes with a limited app store.
Yu Yureka Note with 6-inch display, 13MP camera spotted; priced at Rs 14,999
During the Micromax event, we could not help but notice this tweet by a Twitter user who posted photos of a new smartphone tagged as the YU6000. While the same was not announced at the event that saw the launch of about 15 new smartphones across categories, many did notice the tweet and now we have news from theMobileIndian that same phablet has already hit retail stores in India.
According to the packaging the phablet is called the Yureka Note. Images of the same are yet to be revealed since the tweet simply contained images of its packaging. The YU6000 sports a 6-inch Full HD display, inside we have a 64-bit, octa-core chipset clocked at 1.5GHz. There’s 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage that is expandable via a microSD card slot.
As for the cameras Yu has included a 13MP unit on the back and an 8MP unit on the front. The handset packs in the usual connectivity options including 4G bands with dual SIM slots and is powered by a 4,000mAh battery. The battery also comes with Quick Charging support.
The YU6000 runs Android 5.1 Lollipop and also features a fingerprint reader, all of which sounds like a good deal considering its price tag. As of now Yu have not disclosed any details about this mystery handset.
Google releases new traffic alerts on Google Maps for Android and iOS in India
Google has announced that Maps for Android and iOS will now offer users various options for alternate routes and explanations for its recommendations. It will inform users whether the route suggested by it is the fastest or only avoids traffic.
Sanket Gupta, Product Manager, Google Maps stated in a blog post, “Luckily, Google Maps can help you find the most ideal route to your destination with the least delays. Just in time for you to hit the road, we’ve updated Google Maps with new traffic alerts to help you avoid jams.”
When you input your destination in the app, you will get a spoken alert for upcoming traffic conditions that helps you identify the quickest route. Google Maps will also give you a heads up if a congestion lies ahead, and how long you would be stuck in a jam. In addition, you will also get the option to take alternate routes, including explanations for why one is recommended too.
If a user is in navigation mode on their iOS or Android device, they will see these updates automatically. Recently, Google announcedthat Street View imagery of Sri Lanka is now available on Google Maps. This implies that people in Sri Lanka and around the world can now view Sri Lanka in 360-degree panoramic imagery from their phone, tablet or computer.
Samsonite introduces Track&Go solution to locate lost luggage
Samsonite has introduced Track&Go, a sophisticated beacon device that can be built into Samsonite suitcases, allowing a case to be easily and privately tracked by its owner. The Bluetooth beacon will use Eddystone Ephemeral Identifiers (EIDs), an open privacy/security protocol byGoogle. Samsonite aims to launch the first suitcases featuring the Track&Go solution in the European market at the end of 2016, followed by other international markets. The range will be competitively priced for such a premium technology product in order for it to become a real solution for travellers worldwide. Furthermore, given the potential of this solution, Track&Go might be extended to a broader range of business and travel bags in 2017.
In 2014, 24.1 million pieces of baggage were mishandled worldwide, meaning they were temporarily or permanently lost. Of these 24.1 million pieces, 85 per cent were returned to their owners within 48 hours. Of the mishandled baggage, 5.5 per cent is never reunited with its owners.
“We’re excited to work with Google on this project to make sure that our beacons support Eddystone EIDs. Missing or permanently lost luggage is the nightmare of every traveller. As the world’s largest luggage manufacturer, we wanted to find a way to make this issue a thing of the past,” said Ramesh Tainwala, CEO of Samsonite.
“As Samsonite is known for its innovative and reliable luggage and bags, we also wanted to work with an equally as innovative and reliable technology partner. By leveraging Google’s robust, secure and cross-platform approach, we feel confident that our customers will welcome this new solution,” he added.
Reducing travel stress using a strong community network
The Bluetooth beacon, which has been designed and manufactured by Accent Systems, will be built into the Track&Go suitcase. It has to be registered by the owner through the Travlr by Samsonite app, which has been developed together with mobile agency In The Pocket and is available free of charge. The Travlr by Samsonite app was launched in September 2015 to offer flight tracking, tips and reminders when travelling. The new Track&Go feature will be built into the existing app allowing users to easily check the location of the suitcase within a distance of 70 metres, and also be notified if it is being moved closer or further away from the user.
If the suitcase goes missing, the owner can easily flag it as ‘lost’ in the app. Once flagged as ‘lost’, the app leverages its user base to help the suitcase’s owner find it. Should anyone else, using the Travlr by Samsonite app, pass within 70 meters of the lost suitcase, an EID-based signal is picked up. This triggers a notification with location and time details of the suitcase to be sent out to the owner. Both the tracking and notification process take place at no additional cost for the users.
An important next step will be collaborating with airports and baggage handling companies to grow the network of fixed Bluetooth beacons in the vicinity of important travel hubs. Eventually, Samsonite expects that anyone with a smartphone will be able to help retrieve lost Samsonite suitcases and travel or business bags. According to ABI Research, by 2020, a projected 40.9 billion of these connected devices are expected to enter what is called the ‘Internet of Things ecosystem’.
Google Play Store places the spotlight on indie developers with Indie Corner
A new Indie Corner showcase on Google’s Android app storefront makes it easier to find unique game ideas from independent developers.
Google is following through on a promise made during the tech and advertising company’s Developer Day at the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in March. With the Indie Corner designed to “highlight amazing games built by indie developers,” developers had been invited tosubmit their titles for consideration. Apps would be chosen based on two broad criteria: quality of experience and exemplary use of Google Play game services.
The announcement came at a time when Google Play was launching a new raft of game services for developers and players to investigate. Over a dozen titles have been curated for the first Indie Corner showcase, just over half of them available as free downloads. Many are already well known among mobile gaming communities but the showcase will help broaden their audiences.
“Downwell” and “harmony 3” are available for US $3, “HoPiKo” and “Chameleon Run” for US $2, and “Super Arc Light” is a US $0.99 download while “twofold inc.” goes for US $3.99. Free titles include strategy “Brave Guardians,” puzzlers “AfterLoop” and “Launchasaurus,” and action games “Hammer Bomb – Creepy Dungeons!,” “Barrier X,” “Beat Jumper,” “Bit Blaster,” “Mighty Crew: Millennium Legend,” and “Quick Whack: Cube Clicker.” The move corresponds to Apple’s own Indie Game Showcase, set up in March 2014, an event which coincided with the Game Developers Conference held that year.
Monday, April 11, 2016
BlackBerry to allow user to retract messages, set timer on BBM
Canadian handset maker BlackBerry today said it will offer enhanced privacy and control features to users of its messaging platform BBM across iOS, Android and BlackBerry smartphones.
With the new update, BBM users can now take advantage of enhanced privacy and control features that allow them to take control over the messages and content that they share without any subscription fees, BlackBerry said in a statement.
BBM users can 'retract' their messages and pictures from recipients to take them back from their phone if they were sent as a mistake, or if they no longer wish them to be accessible.
Also, they can set a timer to control how long contacts can view messages and pictures, it added.
************* * Ramco unit secures AUD 5 mn deal
Ramco Systems today said its wholly owned subsidiary, Ramco Systems Australia, has secured a contract for an aggregate value of over AUD 5 million (about Rs 25.2 crore) from an Australian group.
"Ramco Systems Australia Pty Ltd has secured a contract for an aggregate value of over AUD 5 million for its ERP (Logistics) and HCM solutions, to be provided to a leading Australia based group, with more than 5000 employees," Ramco said in a filing to the BSE.
*************** Adobe appoints Anandan Padmanabhan to head Big Data Lab
*Adobe today said it has appointed noted computer scientist Anandan Padmanabhan as Vice President, Adobe Research to head its Big Data Experience Lab (BEL) in Bengaluru.
In this role, Padmanabhan will play a key role in spearheading the company's big data research initiatives in the region including data mining, machine learning, social network analysis, mobile experience and content intelligence technologies, it said in a statement.
********** * Quick Heal inks MoU with CERT-In
Security software firm Quick Heal Technologies has signed an agreement with Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) to work together for detection of latest cyber security threats that adversely affect the information assets and privacy of the general users in India.
Under the partnership, the collaboration aims to address the increasingly complex problems associated with computer/ cyber security.
It will also devise appropriate security measures and security tools to enable such users to secure their systems, it said.
Microsoft Lumia 650 Dual SIM price leaked on Amazon, pegs it at Rs 16,599
Microsoft is not giving its smartphone business a priority these days as the focus is currently on its core services. Still then there was just one more smartphone that is yet to be launched for the Indian market and that is the budget Lumia 650 Dual. Turns out, soon after the smartphone was launched in US and Canada, Amazon put up a listing for the same on its India storefront.
The Lumia 650 Dual listed on Amazon India is priced at Rs 16,599 for the 16GB white model, while the black version with the same storage capacity is listed for Rs 16,700. The smartphone has been listed by a local retailer and does not directly come from Amazon’s Microsoft Store.
Officially announced in February this year, it is a bit strange as to why the handset did not make it to India. But now that we know the price tag, it makes a bit of sense. Clearly, the smartphone is priced a bit too high. Aimed as devices meant for businesses more than consumers, Microsoft did however skip on one essential feature that would have made itworthwhile, Continuum.
Big features aside, this budget device also cuts down on hardware with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 212 and just 1GB RAM (which is borderline). Thankfully, it packs in a 5-inch OLED 720p display 8MP primary camera with LED flash that kind of justifies its price tag.
The device as per the listing will begin shipping from April 30.
Asus introduces ZenFone Go LTE at Rs 7,999; to be sold on Amazon, Snapdeal
Asus has launched its latest smartphone called the ZenFone Go 5.0 (LTE) at Rs 7,999 which will be selling on Amazon India and Snapdeal.
Coming in a 5-inch HD IPS display, the ZenFone Go 5.0 (LTE) as the name implies comes with 4G LTE support. It houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 chipset with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor which is paired with 2GB of RAM. The phone comes with 16GB of storage and it can be expanded to 32GB using a microSD card slot. It runs on Android 4.4 KitKat along with the ZenUI skin atop the OS.
On the camera front, you get an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-camera. The phone comes in the dual SIM configuration, supports Wi-fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 and so on.
The phone houses a 2500mAh battery and comes in charcoal black and pearl white colours.
For all practical purposes, this looks like an upgrade of the ZenFone Go that was launched at this same price in September last year. In terms of specifications, the smartphone sports a 5-inch display with a 1280 x 720 HD resolution, sporting a pixel density of 294ppi. It is powered by a quad-core MediaTek processor clocked at 1.3GHz paired with 2GB RAM.
Doordarshan rolls out free TV services for mobile phones
Aiming to attract the growing number of smartphone users, Public Broadcaster Doordarshan has started beaming free TV services to mobile phones in 16 cities, including the four metros.
In a statement, the broadcaster said Digital Terrestrial Television services of Doordarshan have started operations from February 25 in 16 cities, thereby providing mobile TV to the users. The sixteen cities are Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Guwahati, Patna, Ranchi, Cuttack, Lucknow, Jalandhar, Raipur, Indore, Aurangabad, Bhopal, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.
Mobile TV can be received in and around these cities using DVB-T2 dongles in OTG enabled smartphones and tablets, wi-fi dongles for moving vehicles, besides the TV sets having built-in DVB-T2 tuner which are called Integrated Digital TV (iDTV).
While iDTV are available in Sony, LG, Panasonic, Samsung etc, the dongles are also available on online shopping sites like Flipkart, Ebay, Snapdeal etc, the statement added.
Users are required to download the software and plug these dongles in smartphones and tablets to receive DD signal. “There will be no charges for watching the DD channels. Also, no internet is required after installation of the software,” the statement added.
Currently DD National, DD News, DD Bharati, DD Sports, DD Regional/DD Kisan are being relayed. Only one-time investment of dongle will be required by viewers and there will be no extra expenditure unlike streaming with internet.
The TV pictures are free from “ghosting” and “snowing”, the statement added.
Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) secures greater plurality in platform ownership, ensuring that no single platform owner is so powerful that they can exert undue influence on public opinion or political agendas, the statement said.
Android brands slam Apple's plan to sell used iPhones in India
Apple's latest attempt to crack the Indian smartphone market -by selling used phones -is meeting a wall of resistance. The iPhonemaker is seeking permission to become the first company allowed to import and sell used phones into the country, its second attempt in as many years.
This time, the stakes are higher and a growing number of industry executives are fighting the move, warning government officials in private that it'll open the floodgates to electronic waste, jeopardize local players, and make a farce of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Make in India program to encourage local manufacturing.
"Make in India could turn into Dump in India," said Sudhir Hasija, chairman of Karbonn Mobiles, who said it sells about 1.7 million phones a month.
Apple's application in 2015 was rejected by the environment ministry without much fanfare. But things have changed since: India, as the world's second largest mobile population, now represents a vast untapped opportunity for Apple just as China and the US are slowing. Apple has publicly talked up its prospects in India and is on course to get the green light to open its first retail stores.
Sensing the threat, the electronics manufacturing industry's main representative body recently set up a lobbying arm that wrote directly to the government opposing Apple'sapplication.
"Why even consider allowing import of used phones when import of other used goods such as cars are precluded by 300% duty levies?" asked Ravinder Zutshi, chairman of the newly formed Mobile and Communications Council, which issued the letter. The group's members include the largest Indian phone brands: Micromax, Intex and Samsung.
Apple's application has gone to so-called inter-ministerial discussion, said Asha Nangia, a director in the Department of Electronics & Information Technology. That adds a layer of bureaucracy to a process that's far from certain. The government could go either way , though it's encountering far greater local opposition than the first time around. The company declined to comment.
Selling cheaper re-furbished devices can help convert price-sensitive consumers, who previously would have had to fork over a month's earnings or more to own the coveted brand. Apple last month unveiled a smaller iPhone SE that, with a starting price of $399, may still be out of reach of many Indian buyers. Apple now has less than 2% of an Indian market in which many phones cost less than $150.
Still, its sales there jumped 76% in the holiday quarter, indicating that demand for the premium brand is growing. Tim Cook called out the country's "incredibly exciting" prospects during his last earnings conference and said his company will devote more energy to that market.
"All this will neatly tie intoApple'sstrategy as the smartphone market peaks in the country in the next few years," said Neil Shah, research director for devices and ecosystems at Counterpoint Research."Apple will sell these at far lower price points and bring down entry barriers in India where new iPhones are out of reach of the masses." Apple could target annual iPhone sales of 10 million by 2017, he added.
But rival smartphone makers will have none of it. One of the chief complaints is that allowing Apple to have its way would result in a deluge of used electronics imports, making mince-meat of Modi's localization drive. Global players such as Foxconn Technology Group have begun taking baby steps towards local manufacture, starting with basic assembly. Any easing of curbs on imports could give them pause, Hasija argued.
"Make in India will become a big zero," said Hasija, who's set up four phone assemblies across the country since the program was launched and is building a fifth.
Another criticism focuses on damage to environment. When destroyed, phones produce toxic materials that India isn't equipped to deal with, critics say. Used batteries and LCD screens could worsen the e-waste problem.
Oppo F1 Plus launched in India at Rs 26,990; sports 5.5-inch display, 4GB RAM
At an event in New Delhi, Oppo unveiled the F1 Plus. The device is priced at Rs 26,900 and will go on sale mid-April. The smartphone launched today is the Oppo R9 that was launched in China in March, but has been re-branded for international markets.
The Oppo F1 Plus features a 5.5-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a pixel density of 401ppi. It is powered by a 2GHz octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 MT6755 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM.
Running Android 5.1.1 Lollipop with ColorOS 3.0 on top, the device comes equipped with 64GB of internal storage, which can be further expanded up to 128GB via a microSD card. The device also packs in a fingerprint reader on the front face.
The Oppo F1 Plus packs in a 13MP primary camera and a 16MP front shooter for selfies as well. The device sports a Beautify 4.0 feature to reduce the artificial nature of digital makeup as well.
In terms of connectivity, the device includes Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). The phone comes packed with sensors including a proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, an accelerometer, and a gyroscope. It features a 2850mAh battery with VOOC flash charging tech that allows for 5V low voltage charging, keeping phone cool during charge.
Sony launches MDR-100ABN noise cancellation headphones priced at Rs 21,990
Sony has launched its new Hi-Res Bluetooth headphones named as MDR-100ABN. The device comes with digital noise cancellation support and was first showcased at the CES 2016. The company has priced the headphones at Rs 21,990 and it will be available in black colour option in India.
TheSony MDR-100ABN Bluetooth headphones promises to offer uncompromised sound and the artificial intelligence noise cancelling adapts to the user surroundings. It has a 40mm dome type driver and claims to deliver 20 hours of battery life.
HP debuts the world's thinnest laptop
HP's new Spectre 13.3-inch laptop, runningWindows 10, is gorgeous and only weighs 2.45 pounds. At 0.4 of an inch thick — as thick as a AAA battery — it's also the world's thinnest laptop available on on the market (includes laptops that have shipped over 1 million units as of Feb. 10) according to HP's research. My own findings confirm as much, too.
The Spectre 13.3-inch looks like a piece of jewelry that belongs in a high-end fashion store on Fifth Avenue. The "Ash Silver" laptop's hood and body are made of sturdy aluminum, and its base is made from lightweight carbon fiber. The copper-polished hinge, inspired by cabinet door hinges, helps make the display appear like it's floating above the keyboard.
You'd think with thinness such a priority, the laptop would be a weakling. It's not.
Instead of a fanless (and potentially underpowered) Intel Core M processor, HP's going with a sixth-gen Core i5 or i7 processor (depending on configuration) with 8GB of RAM. HP says it's using Intel's hyperbaric cooling system, which uses two fans to suck in air and then redirect them over the processor and other vital components to keep the laptop cool. For storage, the Spectre 13.3 comes with up to 512GB in a fast-performing PCIe solid-state drive (SSD).
The 13.3-inch IPS display is full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080), but there's no 4K display option. Surprisingly, the display isn't a touchscreen, and there's no option to get one. Honestly, I'm okay with that. The IPS screen still looks sharp from a working distance and while a touchscreen and 4K would have been nice, it also would mean getting lower battery life.
On the back of the laptop are three USB Type-C ports (two of them support Thunderbolt 3 speeds) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. And this is cool: Allthree of the USB-C ports can be used to charge the Spectre 13.3, output video and transfer data.
This is what a laptop from the future looks like — three tiny versatile ports that do it all. (Not to mention, the ports look so neat on on the computer.) Sure, you'll need to buyall-new USB-C accessories or use an adapter to get your full-sized USB gear to work with it, but we're all going to have to make the switch sooner or later.
I briefly tried out the chiclet-style keyboard and the glass trackpad. I can report they're both great. The 0.05-inch (1.3mm) key travel feels excellent, and I didn't notice any lag on the trackpad like I have on theSpectre x360.
Flanking the keyboard are stereo speakers tuned by Bang & Olufsen.
HP says the Spectre 13.3 has up to 9 hours and 45 minutes of battery life. To achieve that, it combined four batteries together, maximizing every bit of space within the thin chassis.
The sleek laptop starts at $1,249.99 and will available on HP.com and BestBuy.com on April 25 at in Best Buy stores on May 29.
In addition to the Spectre 13.3, HP also announced updated hardware to the Envy 15.6 and Envy 17.3 laptops.
Both Windows 10 machines have slightly tweaked designs that are slightly lifted off the surface for better airflow.
The 15.6" gets up to 9 hours of battery life and the 17.3" gets up to 6.5 hours.
The 15.6" is configurable with up to a Core i7 processor, Intel integrated graphics or Intel Iris GFX graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of PCIe solid-state storage (SSD) with storage options that go up to a 1TB hard drive (paired with a smaller SSD so performance doesn't suffer too much).
The 15.6-inch gets up to 9 hours of battery life and the 17.3-inch gets up to 6.5 hours. The 17.3-inch has an Intel Core i7 processor with Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics, 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of hard drive or up to 512GB of SATA SSD and an optical disk drive.
For ports, both laptops come with three USB 3.0 ports, one USB Type-C port (data only, no charging), an HDMI port, and an SD card reader. The 17.3-inch also has an Ethernet port.
The Envy 15.6-inch starts at $779 and will be available on HP.com on May 27 and in stores on June 12. The Envy 17.3-inch starts at $1,079 and will be available on HP.com on June 1, BestBuy.com on May 9 and in Best Buy stores on June 12.
Huge 2-in-1 laptops that transform into tablets aren't for everyone. But if you're into them, they can be awesome.
The Envy x360 15.6-inch, which starts at $679, isn't as premium as the pricier Spectre x360 15t, but it's still a solid 2-in-1. At 4.5 pounds it's a clunker.
The 15.6-inch IPS screen comes in full HD (1,920 x 1,080) resolution. It's also configurable with a UHD 4K display for extra.
It's also configurable with a UHD 4K display for extra.
Intel's latest sixth-gen Core i processors (available up to Core i7) power Windows 10. Graphics options include Intel Iris GFX or AMD FX 9800P quad-core processor with Radeon R7 graphics. For storage, the laptop's configurable with single- or dual-storage options with up to 2TB of hard drive or up to 256GB of PCIe SSD. It's got up to 11 hours of battery life.
It also has Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers.
The Envy x360 15.6-inch has two USB 3.0 ports, one USB-C port for data transfer, an HDMI port, and an SD card slot.
The laptop comes out on HP.com on June 1, BestBuy.com on May 29 and in Best Buy stores on June 12.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Apple iPhone SE #ExpressReview: Compact size does not affect performance
Apple iPhone SE launches in India on April 8 at a price of Rs 39,000. Here's our review for this 4-inch iPhone.
Apple iPhone SE was supposed to be the big price play from Apple. But Apple held on to its price, at least in markets like India, with this new small phone. However, it is still a phone with a unique selling proposition, thanks to its now rare form factor. Can the 4-inch frame be the one thing that endures this new phone to the world?
The SE in iPhone SE is supposed to stand for special edition. That it is in more ways than one — it brings back to vogue the 4-inch screen, which we all thought we had moved on from and it puts into this tiny frame with specs similar to a top-end device, another rarity these days. Despite all that this, iPhone SE is still a phone that looks a bit like another that was sold a couple of years back. iPhone 5S, at least it looks, sure gets a new lease of life with the SE.
Specs: 4‑inch display with 1136×640 pixel resolution at 326 ppi | A9 chip with 64‑bit architecture | 16 or 64GB storage space | 12‑megapixel iSight camera with 1.22µ pixels | 1.2‑megapixel FaceTime camera | Touch ID | iOS 9.3 |
Price: Rs 39,000
What is good?
The best feature of this phone has to be its size. There are lot of people who struggle with large phones, and find no viable alternative given that smaller phones are now becoming really rare. The 4-inch frame of the iPhone SE will endear this phone to lots of people with small hands and tiny fingers. This is for people who want something handy, and I am sure there are quite a few of this target audience around the world.
But does small mean weak? No. And that is the beauty of the iPhone SE. It is in no way an underwhelming smartphone. Moving from an iPhone 6s Plus to this smaller phone, I was in no way struggling for power. Given that this was a brand new phone, there were times when phone actually felt faster and smoother than the six-month-old 6s Plus. The phone works well in all conditions.
Apple iPhone SE 64GB price revealed in India
The price tags for the 16GB and 64GB models were made official via Apple’s official website. Somehow the company’s most exciting iPhone (for a variety of reasons) seems to have gotten mixed reviews so far. Key to those mixed reviews is the odd combination of pricing and current generation hardware that is packaged into an iPhone design that is about 3 years old.
While it borrows its chipset, primary camera and storage from Apple’s current flagship, the smartphone’s externals look indeed a bit too old with the body of an iPhone 5.
And while Apple’s official prices for the iPhone 6S are still pretty high, online retailers are selling the same for a much lower price. E-commerce websites have listed the iPhone 6S (16GB) for as low as Rs 43,699 with the 64GB version selling for Rs 55,499 and the 128GB priced at Rs 60,599.
Indeed it would make little sense to go in for an iPhone that looks a bit dated and even comes with a premium price tag. But, for those who have been waiting for a smaller 4-inch iPhone all this while, it still seems like a good deal as it only lacks the updated front-facing camera and 6s’ 3D Touch display; features that many may be ready to compromise on.
Egypt blocked Facebook Internet service over surveillance
Egypt blocked Facebook Inc’s Free Basics Internet service at the end of last year after the U.S. company refused to give the Egyptian government the ability to spy on users, two people familiar with the matter said.
Free Basics, launched in Egypt in October, is aimed at low-income customers, allowing anyone with a cheap computer or smartphone to create a Facebook account and access a limited set of Internet services at no charge.
The Egyptian government suspended the service on Dec. 30 and said at the time that the mobile carrier Etisalat had only been granted a temporary permit to offer the service for two months.
Two sources with direct knowledge of discussions between Facebook and the Egyptian government said Free Basics was blocked because the company would not allow the government to circumvent the service’s security to conduct surveillance. They declined to say exactly what type of access the government had demanded or what practices it wanted Facebook to change.
A spokesman for Facebook declined to comment. Etisalat did not respond to a request for comment.
Mohamed Hanafi, a spokesman for Egypt’s Ministry of Communication, declined to comment specifically on the allegation about surveillance demands but cited other reasons for Free Basics to be blocked.
“The service was offered free of charge to the consumer, and the national telecommunication regulator saw the service as harmful to companies and their competitors,” he said.
Free Basics, which is available in 37 countries that have large populations without reliable Internet service, is central to Facebook’s global strategy. The company does not sell ads on the Free Basics version of its website and app, but it aims to reach a large group of potential users who otherwise would not be able to create Facebook accounts.
Facebook said more than 3 million Egyptians used the service before it was suspended, and 1 million of them had never had Internet access. The main Facebook site and app are still available in Egypt, which has a population of about 90 million.
The conflict over Free Basics highlights the delicate balancing act that global Internet companies face in responding to the demands of governments while protecting the privacy of their customers, especially at a time of heightened concerns about Internet surveillance and censorship worldwide.
It represents one of the few known cases in which a global Internet company has received and rejected a government demand for special access to its network and been forced to shut down a service, Internet privacy experts say.
Free Basics has come under fire from Internet activists across the globe, most notably in India, for violating net neutrality by allowing free access to a select group of websites and businesses, thus putting others at a disadvantage.
Indian regulators issued new rules in February that effectively barred Free Basics after a two-month public consultation process.
Hanafi cited the India example in explaining Egypt’s move, but there has been no public debate or regulatory proceeding over net neutrality or the competitive impact of Free Basics in Egypt.
STRONGER SECURITY
Facebook in September strengthened the security protections for Free Basics after criticism from privacy advocates that it did not do enough to prevent spying. In part, the problem was that users could not seamlessly connect over encrypted channels to the secure websites marked by addresses beginning HTTPS.
That meant that customers using web-based email might have their messages exposed. Authorities might also be able to watch who was visiting particular websites.
Now, those using the Free Basics mobile app can connect directly with encryption to secure sites. Those connecting via the Free Basics website can connect securely to Facebook, which decrypts and then re-encrypts user traffic before sending it along to partner sites.
When Free Basics launched in Egypt, there was no mention of a temporary permit or concerns about competition or net neutrality, according to people who were involved in the discussions.
At the time of the suspension, Facebook said it was “disappointed” and hoped to “resolve (the) situation soon.”
Some former Facebook employees said the company has reason to be especially vigilant in defending its customers in Egypt.
A Facebook page started in 2010 by a Google employee in Dubai about the death of an Alexandria man at the hands of police played a direct role in fomenting the protests that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak in 2011.
In January this year, amid a crackdown on dissent in the run-up to the fifth anniversary of the uprising, Egyptian security forces arrested two people for managing Facebook pages that they said were used to support the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood and encourage protest.
The two are still in jail pending investigations on charges of inciting violence and disseminating and publishing false news.
Any move to shut down Facebook completely in Egypt would likely bring a harsh popular backlash, said Ramy Raoof, a digital security researcher and consultant. But blocking Free Basics can crimp Facebook’s growth among lower income people, without alienating middle-class Internet users and businesses.
“Shutting down Facebook completely is an idea that is far-fetched and would lead to great consequences,” Raoof said.
Monday, April 4, 2016
Google, Acer build Chrome-base device for video conferences
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Search engine giant Google and Taiwanese hardware and electronics firm Acer have released "Chrome-base for meetings" -- an all-in-one standalone secure video conferencing device.
The $799 device, which has a 24-inch, 1080p touchscreen, high-definition conferencing camera, four microphones and two stereo speakers, is specifically tricked out for video conferences, The Verge reported.
Acer claims that the device has the largest display on any Chrome operating system (OS) computer.
Chromebooks are easy to use, have virus protection built in and have a long battery life.
The Chromebook do not slow down over time and there are no long load times -- just flip it open and get busy doing anything other than waiting.
These devices can be synced with Android phones and tablets for on the go operations in case a user does not have the laptop.
The offering is Google's second play in the video conferencing market. It released the first Chromebox for meetings with Acer in 2014.
The Chromebase connects to Google Hangout meetings that can support up to 25 participants. Google says the Chromebase is available in the US, Canada, Britain, Ireland, and Australia and is expected to be coming to other markets soon.
#Funfact
Here's a #funfact. Did you know you could use your Redmi Note 3 as a universal remote controller? (Just don't switch off all the TVs in the mall. :P).
Just a reminder that your favourite Redmi Note 3 (2GB+16GB, 3GB+32GB) will both be back in stock for sale this coming Wednesday, 6th April, at 3 different timings: 11am, 2pm, and 5pm
Share this if you have friend who'd be getting one! See all our Mi Fan Festival deals here: http://ter.li/vgs3y6
Samsung Foldable Device Coming In Next Year ????
Samsung may soon unveil a game-changing device for consumers in 2017. The company is reportedly planning to introduce a 5-inch smartphone, which when folded, can turn in to a 7-inch tablet!
According to a report by ET News, a prototype of foldable display is finished with development and the company is hoping to mass-produce the device starting from second half of this year. Currently, the device is being referred to as ‘smartlet.’
The device can bend a screen in half by using OLED Display and one can simply carry it like a wallet and use it by opening it. “Although mass-production cannot be concluded hastily since Samsung Electronics still has few other major tasks to complete, I’ve heard that Samsung Electronics had made considerable amount of results in the time being,” said a representative of an industry that is familiar with development of Samsung Electronics’ foldable smartphone.
A previous report pointed out that Samsung’s foldable phone was expected to debut in January this year. Citing a source from China related to the matter, it was pointed out that the project dubbed ‘Project Valley’ was undergoing testing.
Rumour Specs :-
The foldable device was being tested in two configurations – one featuring Snapdragon 620 processor and the other with a Snapdragon 820 chipset. Some other specs include microSd card slot, 3GB RAM and a non-removable battery.
Sunday, April 3, 2016
OnePlus X gets another price cut in India
One of the better performing smartphones in the budget range has got yet another price cut. We are talking about the OnePlus X smartphone, that made big waves at launch but is now becoming a tough sell thanks to its outdated processor.
Amazon India now lists the OnePlus X for retail price of Rs 14,999 instead of the earlier Rs 16,999 for the 16GB variant. This is of course for the Onyx variant of the smartphone and the Champagne and Ceramic variants still remain at their introductory price tags at Rs 16,999 and Rs 22,999 respectively.
The X’s elder sibling the OnePlus 2 also received a similar price cut a few weeks ago. The base price for the 64GB model is now Rs 22,900 while the 16GB model retails for Rs 20,999. Indeed, it seems like the price gap between the X and the 2 is still a bit too close. This is an even bigger problem as both devices come with older chipsets. However, OnePlus is expected to unveil its next flagship called the OnePlus 3 in China on the April 7 so investing in a OnePlus 2 makes little sense at the moment.
Hackers temporarily take down Hungary's government website
Hackers temporarily take down Hungary's government website
Hungary's government says its computer network came under attack from outside the country, temporarily blocking access to several websites.
Officials said Saturday that over 62,000 cyberattacks had been registered in a single day, affecting the main government website and that of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, among others.
The interior ministry said it had been able to restore access to the overloaded networks despite the constant attacks but had not been able so far to identify the perpetrators.
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Celkon Diamond 4G Plus Launched In India
Celkon Diamond 4G Plus launched in India at Rs 6,369; features 5-inch display, 8MP camera
Celkon has launched a new smartphone in the Indian market dubbed Diamond 4G Plus priced at Rs 6,369. The device is available viaAmazon and the company website.
In terms of specifications, the Diamond 4G Plus features a 5-inch IPS display with 720 x 1280 pixel resolution and a pixel density of 294ppi. It is powered by a 64-bit quad-core MediaTek processor paired with 1GB RAM. The Celkon Diamond 4G Plus includes an internal storage of 8GB which can be further expanded up to 32GB via microSD card.
It comes equipped with an 8MP camera with LED flash along with a 3.2MP front-facing camera. On the connectivity front, the smartphone includes GPRS/ EDGE, 3G, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot functionality, Bluetooth v4.0, FM radio, micro-USB 2.0, USB-OTG and GPS/ A-GPS. A 2200mAh battery completes the package.
Recently, Celkon expanded its Millennia series with the addition of a new smartphone called Millennia Xplore. The smartphone comes with a 5-inch HD display with 1280 X 720 pixel resolution. It is powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor paired with 1GB RAM.
The Celkon Millennia Xplore comes equipped with a 13MP rear camera with LED flash, which is the device’s main USP. It includes an 8MP front-facing camera as well. The Android Lollipop based smartphone comes with an inbuilt storage of 8GB and can be further expanded up to 32GB via microSD card.
Idea completes 4G rollout in 10 circles
Idea Cellular has said it has rolled out 4G mobile services in 575 towns across 10 circles comprising 15 states in 100 days.
The company, however, did not share the number of 4G customers it acquired but said it has a overall customer base of 125 million in these reported circles.
"Idea Cellular accomplished the fastest roll-out of 4G LTE services in 100 days in the country. Currently available in over 575 towns across its 10 leading circles, Idea also becomes the first 4G broadband service provider in 250 towns out of these 575," Idea said in a statement.
Idea said it has 6.1 million 4G devices, nearly 6% of its subscriber base in these 10 telecom service areas, registered on its network.
The company said it has deployed over 14,000 sites to provide 4G service across 10 circles.
"With this, Idea Cellular is now servicing over 125 million users with its world-class 4G LTE services," the statements said.
Idea said it also continues its 3G journey and has built a foundation of 22,000 3G cell sites since the last 2 years, adding 28,500 new sites to create an infrastructure of over 50,000 sites.
Idea said it is the fastest growing telecom operator with an overall revenue market share of 18.9 per cent as of Q3FY16 report of Trai.
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