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Redmi 1S, Redmi Note/Prime were the devices which redefined their respective price segments back in 2014 and laid the foundation for Xiaomi’s success. These devices are pretty old now and so, Back in November, Xiaomi announced that MIUI 9 will be the last update for the devices which were launched back in 2014 and 2015, including Redmi 1S, Redmi 2/Prime, Redmi Note/Prime. MIUI 8.5 was the last update for the above mentioned devices which company rolled out about 5-6 months ago, and company decided to skip MIUI 9.0 update for these devices.
Recently, the company started rolling out MIUI 9.2 to devices, the main highlights of MIUI 9.2 include Interactive and Fresh UI changes, New Gallery App, Calendar Cards, App Vault, Mi Video App, New Mi Explorer.
As reported by users, Redmi 1S, Redmi Note/Prime are now receiving MIUI 9.2 update, MIUI 9.2 for Redmi 1S, Redmi Note/Prime is still based on KitKat, so users of these devices will not be able to enjoy few features like App Vault that MIUI 9 brings. These devices didn’t get some features like Dual Apps and Second Space with MIUI 8 due to Android OS limitation.
The new version for Redmi 1S is MIUI 9.2.2.0.KHCMIEK, Redmi ...
Google just launched Bulletin hyperlocal and community news app for Android. The app is designed with an aim to inspire users to share hyperlocal stories on a community platform right from your phone. Google also hopes that the app highlights the inspiring the stories that aren’t being told.
The bulletin stories are open for everyone to read, but then there will be some sort of moderation before the story goes live. Users have the flexibility to share stories in the form of text, images, videos similar to a blog post. The news will be shared other members of the community almost instantly. Users will also be able to share the links to stories via message, email, etc.
Since it is a Google product, not much is required except for a working Google account and a smartphone in terms of setup. The app is free to use, however, Bulletin availability is currently limited to Nashville, TN, and Oakland, CA. If the testing phase goes well, we can expect the app to release officially for public very soon. Users can also request early access by signing up for the Bulletin Pilot program here.
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Samsung ended the Oreo beta program for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in India and UK earlier this month, now the company has announced to its beta testers through 'Samsung Members app' that it is ending the beta program in the USA from yesterday, i.e January 26th.
Samsung had released the 7th and final Oreo beta firmware for the Galaxy S8 and the Galaxy S8+ last week. Since the company is ending its beta testing, we can expect the final roll out very soon. The announcement states that there will no further beta releases, no further responses to feedback. However, communication will still be open to beta users.
Though Samsung says that it will make sure to roll out the update as soon as possible, it still didn't mention any time frame as of now. That said, it shouldn't take long, since the beta testing is now concluded, the next pit stop will the official stable release of the Oreo build.
Samsung in the previous beta notice that it posted in the app two weeks ago mentioned that " we will do out best to distribute the official S/W version in January as soon as possible."
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OnePlus launched Lava Red edition of the OnePlus 5T smartphone in India earlier this month, which went on sale a couple of weeks back with several offers including Buyback Program. Now that the limited edition Lava Red version of the phone is sold out both the OnePlus Store and Amazon, the company has extended the OnePlus Buyback Program powered by Cashify to all the OnePlus 5T smartphones.
This will allow you to get cash for your old device from Cashify, but the exchange is available on select smartphones and pin codes only. Currently there are 22 brands and the program is available in 31 cities across India.
You can start the buyback program by get quote for your old device after selecting the city and product you want to exchange and then proceed with purchase of new OnePlus 5T smartphone. Once payment for new order is successsfully completed,the new smartphone will be delivered to you first, then the Cashify team will get in touch with you to fix an appointment. After verification, Cash will be handed over to you in exchange for your old device at the time of pickup. There are no pick-up or service charges applicable.
You can check out more details about the OnePlus 5T Buyback program here.
Apple is said to be working on three new MacBooks with company's homegrown co-processors similar to the T2 chip seen in the iMac Pro and the T1 chip on the 2016 MacBook Pro, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The report further claims that Apple is expected to launch new iPad towards the end of this year.
However, the report doesn't explicitly mention which line-up of MacBooks will see an upgrade as Bloomberg just says that Apple is working on 'at least' three new models with Apple-designed silicon, including two laptops and a new desktop. It looks like a desktop in talks could be the Mac Pro since T2 chipset already exists for a Mac Pro model. But is very much possible that it could be a complete refresh model as well.
Apple already mentioned that a new Mac Pro is in the development stage, but did not reveal if it would launch in 2018. Coming to Laptops, MacBook Pros are not due for a major update this year according to rumors, but the Retina model could see a refresh and likely to be one of the models. The T1 custom chip on the MacBook Pro models handle all the Touch Bar and Touch ID components, including ...
[Update: Download link for the Redmi Note 3 MIUI 9.2 zip file is available here. You can download and flash it manually, if you don’t have the update yet.]
Xiaomi announced the lightning fast MIUI 9 Global ROM back in November 2017, most of the devices already got the MIUI 9 update followed by MIUI 9.2, but Redmi Note 3, Redmi 3S/Prime, Redmi 4A and some old devices didn’t get MIUI 9 update. As per users, Xiaomi has started rolling out a new MIUI 9.2 update (still based on Marshmallow) for Redmi Note 3, it seems that company decided to skip the MIUI 9 update for Redmi Note 3 and roll out MIUI 9.2 directly.
The new update comes as MIUI 9.2.4.0.MHOMIEK and is of 290 MB in size, this update also brings January security patch to Redmi Note 3. Note that this is a Nightly build, Xiaomi releases Stable Nightly updates to random users to get feedback and the same update is rolled out to all users as a Stable build if feedback goes well, which is expected in 2 to 3 days, in case you wish to read more about Nightly ROMs refer to this post.
This update brings Interactive and Fresh UI changes, ...
Apple iPhone SE 2 has been in the new for quite some time and today we are hearing more about the phone as the KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo issued a research note today that casts doubt on the features of the iPhone SE 2. In the new research note, Kuo states that Apple doesn't have enough spare development resources to focus on launching another iPhone since the company is planning for 3 iPhones this year.
If Apple indeed launches an iPhone SE 2, it is unlikely that it will have iPhone X features like wireless charging, 3D sensing features for Face ID and full-screen design. Rather it will pack same design language with faster processor, and a possible upgrade to iOS 12.
Earlier rumors suggested that the iPhone SE might see a design change following the footsteps of the iPhone 8 with a glass back and would similarly support Qi charging. Few reports earlier stated that the iPhone SE 2 would be made by Wistron in India and sold globally. While it highly said that the next-gen iPhone SE might launch in the first-half of 2018, there seem to be no signs of that happening.
The second generation iPhone SE is said to be powered by ...
Asus has announced that it is rolling out the Android 8.0 Oreo update to the Zenfone 3 just as it had promised. The Zenfone 4 had received the Oreo update last month. The Oreo update for the Zenfone 3 brings the version number to 15.0410.1712.31.
The update brings tons of new features to the Zen U.I and to the interface like swipe up to access installed apps, picture-in-Picture mode, new Settings app, launcher. The update said to have removed some pre-installed apps including MiniMovie, Photo Collage, and Do It Later.Though you can download these apps from PlayStore if you wish to.
There is no word on treble support just yet, with Zenfone 4 Oreo update including the Treble support, it is likely that the Zenfone 3 might also get the support. Post the update, internal storage will decrease slightly. The company advices to reserve at least 1.5GB storage before starting the software update.
More friendly setting UI design.
Background limits – Android Oreo helps minimize background activity in the apps you use least
Autofill – With your permission, Autofill remembers your logins to get you into your favorite apps at supersonic speed.
Smart text selection – Android Oreo recognizes text when you tap or select, then ...
Microsoft today announced that it has acquired the cloud-based gaming startup PlayFab. It is a complete back-end platform provider of services to build, launch and grow cloud-connected games. The tool that PlayFab offers is designed to for developers to use across all platform including mobile, PC, console.
PlayFab was launched four years back with an aim to provide sophisticated server-based infrastructure to host and operate games. The company as of today powers more than 1,200 live games, and have served over 700 million players. The PlayFab software according to the company is said to be used by entertainment companies, including Disney, NBC Universal, Wizards of the Coast, Nickelodeon, Bandai Namco, Rovio, and Capcom, Fluffy Fairy, Nvizzio, and Hyper Hippo.
The PlayFab platform is a natural complement to Azure for gaming which has its locations in 42 regions worldwide and provides world-class server infrastructure, allowing creators to focus on building great games with best-available global reach.
With the acquisition, both the companies are aiming at offering intelligent cloud for the gaming industry, enabling game developers and delighting gamers around the world. Other details like the PlayFab's future and acquisition rates haven't been disclosed yet.
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Back in September last year, Google officially confirmed that it has signed a deal with HTC to acquire team of HTC talent for US$1.1 billion in cash and said that transaction is expected to close by early 2018 after approvals. Today Google has confirmed that it has officially closed the deal.
To remind you, the deal includes about 2000 engineers who have already been working on the Pixel smartphone line, as well as non-exclusive license for HTC intellectual property to support the Pixel smartphone family. The team will remain in Taiwan, and Taipei will be the largest Google engineering site in APAC.
HTC already said that it will continue to make smartphones under its own brand name and continue to build the virtual reality ecosystem to grow its VIVE business, while investing in other next-generation technologies, including the Internet of Things, augmented reality and artificial intelligence.
Regarding the deal, Rick Osterloh, Senior Vice President, Hardware, Google, in a blog post, said:
As our hardware business enters its third year, we remain committed to building and investing for the long run. Today, we start digging in with our new teammates, guided by the mission to create radically helpful experiences for people around the world, by combining the best of Google’s ...
Huawei’s Honor brand started selling the Honor 9 Lite smartphone exclusively on Flipkart last week. The phone sold out in record 6 minutes of the sale opening, selling at a the rate of over 150 units per second on January 21st midnight and it sold out in 3 minutes in the second sale on January 21st 12 noon. Later it sold the smartphone on January 23rd at 12 noon, which was sold out in 120 seconds.
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Today the company has announced that the phone was sold out in 120 seconds once the sale opened at 12 noon, same as the previous sale.
The company will hold fifth sale of the Honor 9 Lite on Flipkart at 12PM next Tuesday, February 6th. Check out our Honor 9 Lite review, if you are planning to buy the phone.
Commenting on today's sale, P Sanjeev, Vice President, Sales, Huawei Consumer Business Group, said:
Honor 9 Lite’s continued sale success is a testament to its technological innovation and superior product quality. Since the first sale, we have witnessed unprecedented consumer response that has pushed Honor 9 Lite to emerge as one of the best-selling smartphones from Honor’s portfolio this year. We expect the momentum to grow more and more with time.
Quite lately, Honor has been launching smartphones with an aggressive pricing strategy to cement its place in the Indian market. Recently, the company launched the Honor 9 Lite with beautiful glass and metal body and Quad cameras at a starting price of just Rs. 10,999. At this price point, the Honor 9 Lite is definitely a bang for the buck.
Having said that, there is a sea of smartphones available in the market from various manufacturers with similar features. Comparing is always healthy, which points out the good and bad from both the sides. This, in turn, helps them to rectify their mistake and not to repeat them in future. Today, we have compared Honor 9 Lite with the Moto G5S Plus smartphone that was launched recently, with dual rear cameras.
Design
One of the most talked about thing in the Honor 9 Lite is its 'Design'. The Honor 9 Lite smartphone comes with an all-glass body with a metal frame on sides, which is a rare sight for the mid-range these days. It feels compact yet solid, premium and lightweight in hand. I don’t shy away from saying Honor 9 Lite has set a new benchmark for build and design at this price point. Weighing just 149 ...
After more than a month the phone got certified, HMD Global today officially announced the Nokia 3310 4G phone with VoLTE support in China. It has a similar design and a similar 2.4 inch QGVA color display, 2-megapixel rear camera with LED flash light, Bluetooth, microSD expansion slot and a 1200mAh battery as the Nokia 3310 3G, but this has a more powerful processor, more RAM, more storage and it runs on YunOS compared to Java-powered Feature OS in the 3G version.
The version that is launched in China comes with single SIM support and has support for 2G: 900/1800; 3G: TD-SCDMA B34 / 39 and 4G: TDD B38 / 41, 39, 40 bands.
Nokia 3310 4G specifications
2.4-inch (240 x 320 pixels) QVGA curved window colour display
1.5GHz dual-core processor
256MB RAM, 512MB internal storage, MicroSD card support up to 64GB
YunOS 5.2.0
Single SIM
2MP rear camera with LED flash
LED torchlight
Dimensions: 117 x 52.4 x 13.35mm; Weight: 88.1g
3.5mm audio jack, FM radio, MP3 player for music
4G VoLTE with WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.0, micro USB
1200mAh battery with up to 15 hours 2G talk time, up to 8 hours 3G talk time and up to 5 hours 4G VoLTE talk time and 15 days standby on 2G, 12 days of ...
OnePlus has released new open betas (Beta 5 for OnePlus 5 and Beta 3 for OnePlus 5T) that brings several new features including new pick-up gesture switcher to choose which way you slide to pick up a phone call, adds CPU security patch: CVE-2017-13218 and removes the Clipboard function after feedback from users. There is a new SMS categorization function for India to auto-sorts SMS messages into categories.
It also brings new Navigation gestures that lets you hide the soft buttons and have back, home and app switcher functionality using gestures, similar to iPhone X. As usual the update brings bug fixes and improvements. Check out the complete changelog below.
Phone
Added pick-up gesture switcher
You can now choose which way you slide (up or down) to pick up a phone call
System
General bug fixes and improvements
Removed Clipboard function
Thanks for your feedback, we removed this feature based on that.
Applied CPU security patch: CVE-2017-13218
Added new Navigation gestures that you can enable by going into settings and disabling the nav bar. (Only for 5T)
India only
Added SMS categorization function for India only
This is an India only feature that auto-sorts your SMS messages into categories
The latest updates are 162MB and 108MB for the OnePlus ...
Samsung has reported its earnings for Q4 2017, in which the company has made operating profit of 15.15 trillion won ($14.13 billion), up 64.3% YoY for the quarter that ended December 31, 2017. This is a new all-time high quarterly profit, due to strong sales of memory products for servers and mobile storage as well as OLED panels for premium smartphones.
It reported revenue of 65.98 trillion won (61.54), a increase from 53.33 trillion won last year and net profit of 12.26 trillion won, a 72.9% increase from 7.09 trillion won for the same period a year earlier. For the whole FY17 it reported revenue of 239.58 trillion won, up 18.6% and operating profit of 53.65 trillion won, up 83.4% compared to the previous year.
IM sector that includes Mobile Communications and Networks Businesses posted 25.47 trillion won consolidated revenue and 2.42 trillion won operating profit for the quarter, down 3.2% compared to 2.50 trillion won in the same quarter last year.
"Earnings in the mobile business declined due to a hike in marketing costs under strong seasonality. Total smartphone shipments decreased due to the lineup optimization of low-end models, while shipments of flagship products, such as the Galaxy Note 8, increased from the previous quarter," said Samsung
In 2018, Samsung ...
Apple has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately. The company's inability to be transparent enough with the battery throttling issue dented the brand's credibility among the common audience. And, now for the same reason, we hear that Apple is said to have been delayed some major iOS features like the re-designed home screen, in-car user interfaces, improvements to core apps to focus on reliability and performance for iOS 12.
All the said feature are pushed to 2019, while this year, the focus will be limited to augmented reality improvements, health features, and improved parental controls, reports Axios. While it would have been good to see a refreshed home screen, but reports suggest that Apple's SVP Craig Federighi has revised the plans for iOS 12 with employees at a meeting earlier in January.
The Apple's original plan was to introduce updated Home screen, CarPlay experience, updates to the stock Mail app and enhancements to photo editing and sharing. Now, these resources have been shelved to focus on reliability and performance for iOS 12 and make the iPhones more responsive. iOS 12 improvements, on the other hand, include advancements in augmented reality, digital health, and parental controls. However, Apple declined to comment.
iOS 12 announcement will likely happen at the ...
Android is the primary target for hackers to inject malware and Trojans. While Google actively purses in eliminating any vulnerabilities, some still make it in the form of Apps. Today Google has announced that it took down 700,000 bad apps that violated the Google Play policies from Play Store in 2017 which is also 70% more than the apps that it took down in 2016.
Google further added that it not just removed the apps but also was able to identify and act against them. Close to 99% of apps were identified and rejected before anyone could install. This was possible through significant improvements in the ability to detect abuse such as impersonation, inappropriate content, or malware through new machine learning models and techniques, said Google.
The new detection models and techniques that are capable of identifying repeated attempts and offenders took down 100,000 bad developers in 2017. Google further listed out the apps that fall into the bad category. First on the list is the "Copycats." This section apps deceive users by impersonating famous apps which is one of the most common violations. Since popular apps get tons of traffic and searches, it only makes sense.
Next is the "Inappropriate content," Apps that promote content, such as pornography, ...
Redmi 1S, Redmi Note/Prime were the devices which redefined their respective price segments back in 2014 and laid the foundation for Xiaomi’s success. These devices are pretty old now and so, Back in November, Xiaomi announced that MIUI 9 will be the last update for the devices which were launched back in 2014 and 2015, including Redmi 1S, Redmi 2/Prime, Redmi Note/Prime. MIUI 8.5 was the last update for the above mentioned devices which company rolled out about 5-6 months ago, and company decided to skip MIUI 9.0 update for these devices.
Recently, the company started rolling out MIUI 9.2 to devices, the main highlights of MIUI 9.2 include Interactive and Fresh UI changes, New Gallery App, Calendar Cards, App Vault, Mi Video App, New Mi Explorer.
As reported by users, Redmi 1S, Redmi Note/Prime are now receiving MIUI 9.2 update, MIUI 9.2 for Redmi 1S, Redmi Note/Prime is still based on KitKat, so users of these devices will not be able to enjoy few features like App Vault that MIUI 9 brings. These devices didn’t get some features like Dual Apps and Second Space with MIUI 8 due to Android OS limitation.
The new version for Redmi 1S is MIUI 9.2.2.0.KHCMIEK, Redmi ...
Google is rolling out a new update to the Photo app bringing the version number to V3.13. Unlike the recent updates, the latest version brings new features including motion photos search filter, photo book notifications, controls over promo notifications and more.
Google introduced Motion photos back in November which are direct competition to Apple's Live photos. However, the feature lacks the ability to search for the record motion photos unless you remember the time stamp. However, with today's update, Google is solving the problem by adding a new search bar that specifically pulls out the motion photo that you needed.
To access the list of motion photos, simply tap on the search bar, then hit the "show more" button in the group of categories and then you will be able to find Motion Photos at the bottom of the list. Moving along, the new update also adds three new notification settings each connected to Photo Books. One notification when enabled will let you know the special pricing and promotions for purchasing printed books, another notification setting will post reminders about unfinished drafts, and the last will let you know the Photo Book suggestions.
However, if you wish to stay silent, you can turn off the toggles in the open Settings -> Notifications ...
Update: Flipkart has now confirmed that Xiaomi is indeed launching the Rose Gold Redmi 5A smartphone.
Valentine's Day is just a couple of weeks away. Today Xiaomi has teased a new Rose Gold version of its smartphone is launching tomorrow. The teaser doesn't show the phone, but the company's Redmi Twitter page has posted the teaser so it will be a Redmi smartphone. This will likely be the Rose Gold version of the Redmi 5A smartphone.
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The new color variant has also been listed on Flipkart. Even though the smartphone was introduced back in November last year in Dark Grey, Champagne Gold and Rose Gold colors, only the Gold and Grey color variants of the smartphone went on sale every week on Flipkart and Mi.com.
The Redmi 5A is still one of the best value-for-money smartphones under Rs. 5000, packed with 5-inch HD screen, Snapdragon 425, dedicated SIM slots as well as Infrared sensor. The next Redmi 5A sale is scheduled for tomorrow, February 1st, so the new color variant might go on sale next Thursday, February 8th.
https://youtu.be/3bxE0t4hjrs
Check out our Redmi 5A review here.
Back in September 2016, Google introduced Google Stations, a new internet access platform for partners to setup, maintain and monetize their Wi-Fi networks in their places with Google Fiber. Later in February last year, Google bagged Rs. 150 crore deal to provide WiFi across Pune via its Google Station initiative.
Today Google has announced that it has partnered with Larsen & Toubro to provide Google Station hotspots across Pune from last week, as part of Pune Smart City Development Corporation Limited's Smart City project. Google said that the first 150 Google Station hotspots (>location list here) are already operational in Pune, and it is currently testing the network based on performance to improve user experience.
This is the first deployment of Google Station outside of the train stations, and will allow people of Pune get online with free Wi-Fi hotspots at gardens, hospitals, police stations, and offices around the city.
Google also said that Google Station is built to be both the highest-quality and simplest Wi-Fi service for users and the easiest for partners to deploy — and it thinks that this makes Google Station a great connectivity partner for the growing number of Indian smart cities.
Commenting on the launch of Google Station in Pune, Vinay Goel, ...
