Friday, 31 May 2019
Justice Department eyeing antitrust case against Google
Google is said to be the target of a new Justice Department investigation, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.
The antitrust division of the Justice Department has put together the basics needed to form an investigation, say sources familiar with the agency’s plans. The move would put the search giant’s business practices under the microscope and could spell trouble for its multitude of business units. In addition to its main search business, Google offers a wide range of products and services, including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Android.
Google no stranger to investigations
In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission concluded a similar probe into Google’s behavior. At the time, the FTC deemed it the company hadn’t broken any laws. Even so, Google voluntarily made some changes to the way it ran select business units to appease investigators. The Justice Department and FTC only recently agreed which of the two agencies, which share antitrust duties, would pursue the new investigation into Google.
Google is a frequent target of the European Commission. In March, the E.U. fined Google $1.7 billion over “abusive” online ad strategies. In July 2018, the E.U. socked Google with a $5.1 billion fine over Android antitrust concerns.
The timing of the new investigation comes after some in the U.S. government have called for large tech firms to be broken up.
In March, Sen. Elizabeth Warren suggested companies such as Google and Facebook be pulled apart. Specifically, she believes mergers and acquisitions have given these companies too much power.
“Current antitrust laws empower federal regulators to break up mergers that reduce competition,” she wrote in a post on Medium.
Neither the Justice Department nor Google immediately responded to requests for comment, and the exact nature of the probe is unknown. For example, it’s unclear if the Justice Department has yet contacted Google about the potential investigation.
Android Authority will provide more details about the investigation once they are made available to the public.
from Android Authority http://bit.ly/2QEd7qt
Russia’s Soyuz rocket got nailed by lightning shortly after launch
When planning for a rocket launch there are many things that have to be taken into account, and one of the biggest factors is always the weather. Launches are delayed frequently due to uncooperative weather conditions such as brisk high-level winds and storms, but sometimes Mother Nature can throw a serious curve ball right in the middle of a seemingly routine rocket ascent.
That was the case on Monday when a Russian Soyuz rocket endured a lightning strike shortly after takeoff from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. The launch was being recorded by observers, and video of the surprising lighting blast is now available for all of us to enjoy.
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Russia’s Soyuz rocket got nailed by lightning shortly after launch originally appeared on BGR.com on Fri, 31 May 2019 at 22:05:22 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
from BGR http://bit.ly/2MlxWJ2
U.S. Justice Department prepares anti-trust investigation of Google – WSJ
(Reuters) - The U.S. Justice Department is preparing an anti-trust investigation of Alphabet Inc's Google, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, citing sources
The post U.S. Justice Department prepares anti-trust investigation of Google – WSJ appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WAX1U4
Saudi King Salman – We refuse any measures that touch on position of East Jerusalem
(Reuters) - The Palestinian cause represents a core issue for the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Saudi King Salman said in his speech during to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Mecca on Saturday, adding the kingdom "refuse any measures that touch the historical and legal position of East Jerusalem". (Reporting by Nayera Abdallah and Ali Abdelaty; editing by G Crosse)
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from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2KeJPxs
U.S. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez returns to bartending to promote fair wages
By Daniel Trotta NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took lunch orders, served pizza and rocked the cocktail shaker on Friday to promote increased wages for restaurant servers and other tipped workers. The New York Democrat and media sensation, who famously worked as a bartender before getting elected to Congress last year, brought first-hand experience to the debate over the proposed "Raise the Wage Act," which would raise the U.S
The post U.S. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez returns to bartending to promote fair wages appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WyYsSP
U.S. defence chief says China threatens Asia’s stability
By Idrees Ali SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Acting U.S. Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan suggested on Saturday that China was responsible for a range of destabilising activities in Asia, stirring already heightened tensions between the world's two largest economies. In a wide-ranging speech in front of regional defence chiefs at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Shanahan called on Asian allies to increase their security spending, while emphasising the United States' commitment to the region
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from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2KguSLv
Shooting at Virginia Beach municipal centre leaves 12 dead, including suspect
(Reuters) - A disgruntled city employee opened fire at the municipal centre in Virginia Beach, Virginia, on Friday afternoon, killing 11 people and wounding at least six others before he was killed himself, the city's police chief said. Chief James Cervera said the precise circumstances of the shooting in the coastal resort city remained under investigation.
The post Shooting at Virginia Beach municipal centre leaves 12 dead, including suspect appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WypPN3
Advisers Lighthizer, Mnuchin opposed Trump’s tariffs over immigration – sources
By Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Frustrated at an unending flow of migrants across the southern border, President Donald Trump overruled the advice of his two top trade advisers in abruptly imposing tariffs on Mexico, sources familiar with the situation said on Friday. U.S.
The post Advisers Lighthizer, Mnuchin opposed Trump’s tariffs over immigration – sources appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2KnOIEq
North Korea’s Kim visits factories linked to missile launches
By Josh Smith SEOUL (Reuters) - The factories have innocuous names, but analysts say several ostensibly civilian facilities visited by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently are also used to build ballistic missile launchers and other weapons. On Saturday North Korea state news agency KCNA released reports of Kim providing "field guidance" at a number of factories and cities, without specifying when the visits occurred. While the reports only mentioned economic elements, the sites help form the core of North Korea's arms industry, and have played a major role in developing its intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology, according to analysts at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) in California
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from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2KnMHbk
Democratic 2020 hopefuls to swarm San Francisco, while Biden stays away
By Sharon Bernstein (Reuters) - Fourteen Democratic presidential hopefuls seeking money and support in California, the most liberal and populous U.S.
The post Democratic 2020 hopefuls to swarm San Francisco, while Biden stays away appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Wz4gvL
Trump to end trade privileges for India on June 5
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Friday that the United States would end its preferential trade treatment for India on June 5. Trump had announced his intention to remove India from the Generalized System of Preferences program in March and the June 5 date follows the expiration of a 60-day notification period.
The post Trump to end trade privileges for India on June 5 appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2KnMEwa
In swipe at China, U.S. defence chief warns of Asia instability
SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Acting U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan suggested on Saturday that China was responsible for a range of destabilising activities in Asia, stirring already heightened tensions between the world's two largest economies.
The post In swipe at China, U.S. defence chief warns of Asia instability appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WJ9IfP
Samsung Galaxy M40 full specs leak reveals smaller battery than previously rumored
Samsung is launching the Galaxy M40 in India on June 11. To build up the hype it's already released some teasers, and an official has even outed some information about the handset. Thus, we found out it would be priced around INR 20,000 ($287 or €257 according to the current exchange rates), that its main rear camera would be a 32 MP snapper, and on the front the selfie shooter would have 16 MP resolution. Today more specs of the highest-end Samsung M-series smartphone have been leaked, and despite what past rumors claimed, it looks like it's not getting a 5,000 battery (like the M30),...
from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/311sFt9
Spotify’s next big feature could let you and your friends listen to music together
Spotify is reportedly working on a new feature that would be the digital equivalent of you and a friend sharing the same headphones to listen to music together.
It's already possible, of course, for users of the streaming music giant to keep up with what their friends are listening to and stocking their playlists with. App researcher Jane Manchun Wong, however, has found that Spotify appears to be testing a real-time sharing -- meaning, you and your friends could soon have a joint listening session.
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Spotify’s next big feature could let you and your friends listen to music together originally appeared on BGR.com on Fri, 31 May 2019 at 21:03:49 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
from BGR http://bit.ly/2XhQAT9
Saudi king says attacks by Iran-backed groups threaten global oil
(Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's King Salman said on Saturday that attacks on Saudi oil assets last month by Iran-backed groups are a threat to global oil supplies and regional security. "The drone attacks on Saudi oil pumping stations carried out by groups supported by Iran not only threaten the security of the kingdom and the Gulf, but also threaten maritime safety and global oil supplies," Salman said at an Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in the Saudi city of Mecca.
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from Firstpost http://bit.ly/3181qNQ
U.S. tariff threat backs Mexican president into corner, facing Trump
By Dave Graham MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to slap punitive tariffs on all Mexican trade if Mexico does not stop illegal immigration has punched a gaping hole in his Mexican counterpart's hands-off approach to diplomacy, with potentially ruinous consequences
The post U.S. tariff threat backs Mexican president into corner, facing Trump appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2W5yYZ1
Department of Justice reportedly preparing Google antitrust investigation - CNET
Google's search and other businesses will be investigated, a report says.from CNET https://cnet.co/2QHCjg0
Apple bumps the App Store cell connection download cap up to 200 MB
Good news: Apple now allows you to download bigger apps over a cellular connection than it used to.
Bad news: there’s still a cap, and you still can’t bypass it.
As noticed by 9to5Mac, the iOS App Store now lets you download apps up to 200 MB in size while on a cell network; anything bigger than that, and you’ll need to connect to WiFi. Before this change, the cap was 150 MB.
And if you’ve got an unlimited (be it actually unlimited or cough-cough-‘unlimited’) plan, or if you know you’ve got enough monthly data left to cover a big download, or you just really, really need a certain big app and WiFi just isn’t available? You’re still out of luck. That 200 MB cap hits everyone. People have found tricky, fleeting workarounds to bypass the cap over the years, but there’s no official “Yeah, yeah, the app is huge, I know.” button to click or power user setting to toggle.
The App Store being cautious about file size isn’t inherently a bad thing; with many users only getting an allotment of a couple gigs a month, a few accidental downloads over the cell networks can eat up that data quick. But it really does suck to open up an app you need and find it’s requiring some update that exceeds the cap, only to realize you’re nowhere near a friendly WiFi network. At least give us the choice, you know?
On the upside, most developers seem to be pretty aware of the cap; they’ll hack and slash their app install package until it squeaks under the limit, even if it means downloading more stuff through the app itself post-install. Now, at least, they’ve got 50 more megabytes of wiggle room to start with.
from TechCrunch https://tcrn.ch/2Z0SpnS
Sony infographic brags about its mobile innovations, records and world firsts
Sony's smartphone business is anything but a beacon of hope and huge sales and profitability. Still, the company is in it for the long haul and doesn't plan on exiting this market, even if it is retreating from certain areas. While its sales numbers might not be great, Sony wants to remain relevant, and its latest effort to do that is an infographic. This was shared today on the official blog of its mobile arm, and it's all about the various innovations, records, and world firsts that can be attributed to its past in the mobile business. From the first 4K display in a smartphone (the...
from GSMArena.com - Latest articles http://bit.ly/2IeGmfK
China fights back against the Huawei ban with a blacklist of its own
The Trump administration delivered a massive blow to Huawei a few days ago, placing the biggest China's smartphone maker on the US Commerce Department "Entity List" that bans the sale of Huawei products in the country. The US government also banned the Chinese vendor from importing technology made in the US, which covers anything from chips and other components from companies like Intel and Qualcomm to software like Android and Windows.
Other international companies have also cut ties with Huawei temporarily, including chip-maker ARM, whose silicon designs are the basis of most mobile chips used in Huawei designs. All this prompted the Chinese government to create its own blacklist, which it's currently referring to as the "Unreliable Entity List."
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China fights back against the Huawei ban with a blacklist of its own originally appeared on BGR.com on Fri, 31 May 2019 at 20:08:21 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
from BGR http://bit.ly/2XiZrE1
Saudi king says attacks by groups supported by Iran threaten global oil supplies
(Reuters) - Saudi King Salman said on Saturday: "The drone attacks on Saudi oil pumping stations carried by groups supported by Iran do not only threaten the security of the kingdom and the Gulf but also threaten maritime safety and global oil supplies". He also added in his speech during the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit in Mecca that the "sabotage" operations against four vessels which included two Saudi oil tankers near the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates represent a dangerous threat against maritime safety, as well as regional and international security
The post Saudi king says attacks by groups supported by Iran threaten global oil supplies appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WfeVwr
Trump’s Mexican tariffs test limits of U.S. emergency powers – legal experts
By Tom Hals and Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a tariff on all Mexican goods to push Mexico to halt a surge in illegal immigrants is likely to be challenged in court and will test the scope of the president's emergency powers
The post Trump’s Mexican tariffs test limits of U.S. emergency powers – legal experts appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2Ibuw6g
Target Trump’s base if trade spat worsens, Mexican farm lobby says
By David Alire Garcia and Sharay Angulo MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - The Mexican government should target agricultural goods produced in states that have voted for U.S. President Donald Trump's Republican Party if the trade conflict between the two neighbours worsens, the head of Mexico's main farm lobby said on Friday. Bosco de la Vega, head of Mexico's national farm council CNA, told Reuters that such retaliatory measures should only be applied as a last resort and that he supports the Mexican government's efforts to first seek a negotiated settlement to the dispute
The post Target Trump’s base if trade spat worsens, Mexican farm lobby says appeared first on Firstpost.
from Firstpost http://bit.ly/2WeCs0c
Microsoft introduces Google Lens-like Character Recognition in Excel for iOS to convert smartphone photos into spreadsheets
Microsoft seems to be taking hints from Google’s image recognition techniques. The software giant has introduced a new feature on Microsoft Excel for iOS, to help users covert their images into spreadsheets. Data presented on a piece of paper within columns and rows can simply be snapped using a smartphone camera. This data can then be converted into an editable Excel spreadsheet using the app’s Data from Picture feature. Microsoft uses a combination of optical character recognition (OCR) and machine learning to identify the characters on the paper and input them into a digital spreadsheet. In the past, we’ve seen OCR implementation on Google Lens which allows users to scan any image using their smartphone camera and extract text from it into an editable digital format.
Microsoft Excel's OCR feature was first announced in September 2018 and was made available on Android in March 2019. The image recognition tool in the Microsoft Excel Android and iOS apps is available through a button called Insert Data from Picture. “New image recognition functionality automatically converts the picture to a fully editable table in Excel, eliminating the need for you to manually enter data,” Microsoft wrote in a blog post explaining the feature. You can head here to see an instructional video on how to copy data from an image to an Excel spreadsheet.
Beyond Excel, Microsoft is also giving users the ability to copy data written on White boards using ink grab. Users can now take a picture of their notes scribbled on a physical whiteboard and convert them to digital ink in the Microsoft Whiteboard app. The company has also built handwriting recognition into OneNote, so users can convert handwritten notes to digital text quickly.
“We envision that you’ll be able to take a picture of handwritten notes on paper and import the text directly. Other areas we’re exploring include scanning a picture, PDF annotation, and signing,” Microsoft noted in its blog post.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2W4a0tj
Call of Duty 2019 reveal set for May 30 10:30PM IST
Call of Duty's official Twitter account has revealed a short teaser which reveals the date and time for the reveal of the 2019 trailer. The trailer for the 2019 Call of Duty game will go live today, May 30 at 10:30 PM IST. The official tweet reads, "Going Dark". There is little official information about the upcoming Call of Duty game however, rumours suggest it could be the next game in the Modern Warfare series off Call of Duty games. Various sources have claimed that the title of the upcoming game is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare.
Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Treyarch, Aspyr and n-Space are the developers that share the development of the Call of Duty franchise to ensure a new entry in the game is released every year.
Call of Duty Mobile has taken Indian mobile gamers by storm. Currently, in a Beta phase, the game is expected to launch officially at the end of the year. You can check out our impressions and gameplay video of Call of Duty Mobile here.
Speaking of game reveals, we finally have a release date and new trailer for the upcoming PlayStation exclusive, Death Stranding. You can read more about that here.
Earlier this week it was rumoured that we would get a trailer for The Last of Us 2 as well, but that doesn't seem to be happening.
The reason for us getting so much gaming information is because the world's largest gaming event, E3 is just around the corner. The pre-E3 press conferences kick off on June 7 and the show floor is open from June 11 to June 13. This is the first year in the history of E3 that Sony will be absent from the show. Microsoft is expected to unveil their upcoming successor to the Xbox One console and information on Project xCloud - their cloud gaming service. You can read more about project xCloud here
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2JLJPG0
WhatsApp update allows consecutive audio message playback on Android
WhatsApp has rolled out an update for the app's Android version that allows consecutive playback of audio messages received in a chat. The Android update version 2.19.150 brings this support and now both the OS platforms have this capability. The support on iOS was rolled out in October 2018 with version 2.18.10022. The first mention of this feature was in March when WABetainfo reported that the instant messaging app would release the update later in the year.
This may not be a big update for many of us but it will certainly save the hassle of tapping the ‘Play’ button over and over again to listen to a string of voice messages. You just have to tap on the first message received and others will automatically play by themselves. It should be noted that if a users sends an audio message, a text message and again an audio message, then the two audio files will not be played one after the other.
Further, WhatsApp has also added two new sounds to the app. The first sound, a short chime, will play after a user has listened to an audio message. With each audio message read, the same sound will mark the completion of the audio file. The second sound, a long chime, will play after a user finishes listening to all the audio messages.
Recently, the company announced that it would start putting advertisements in WhatsApp Status to monetise the instant messaging platform. The Status feature allows users to post short videos and images that disappear after 24 hours. The feature was first introduced in Snapchat but later Facebook incorporated it in all its apps including Instagram, Facebook and Messenger. Instagram already shows ads while you watch people’s Stories.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2Ibzu2I
Microsoft hints at always connected modern OS that delivers invisible background updates and more
Microsoft is rumoured to be working on an OS but has not yet confirmed whether it is Windows 11, a lite version of Windows or something completely new. However, the company has started dropping some hints about its next OS. At the ongoing Computex 2019 event, it hinted at an OS that is touted to enable better computing on devices coming out in the future. First spotted by The Verge, Microsoft has delved some information on the OS in a blog post. Microsoft envisions its "modern OS" with ‘seamless updates’ that are invisibly carried out in the background without causing any interruptions. If these features sound somewhat familiar, it’s because Chrome OS already follows the same philosophy with background updates and no interruptions.
“An OS that provides a set of enablers that deliver the foundational experiences customers expect from their devices, and includes a set of delighters that deliver innovative human centric experiences,” states Microsoft’s blog post. Additionally, this modern OS by the company is said to be secure by default as “the state is separated from the operating system; compute is separated from applications.” This sounds like there could be loads of cloud processing involved, which could also be beneficial for less powerful devices. The OS is also expected to be always connected with Wi-Fi, LTE and 5G options that “will just work”.
This ‘modern OS’ is touted to deliver sustained performance from the moment a user picks up their device. One might have noticed that while Microsoft is revealing a good chunk of info about this “modern OS”, it has not mentioned Windows anywhere. However, from all the hints it dropped in its blog post, we can only speculate that the company is describing its upcoming operating system. It is also more or less confirmed that the company’s upcoming, and presumably future, operating systems will offer seamless updates, 5G connectivity, cloud-powered apps, security improvements, support new form factors, and AI.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2WeoH1v
Huawei returns on SD Association, Wi-Fi Alliance member lists
Huawei has made a return to the company lists of SD Association and Wi Fi Alliance after a brief removal. The company’s name was removed from their respective lists following the ban imposed by the Trump Administration earlier this month. The SD Association is a global ecosystem of companies setting memory card standards that simplify the use of consumer electronics, including mobile phones. Meanwhile, the Wi-Fi Alliance is an organisation that certifies Wi-Fi products for conformity to certain standards of interoperability.
This may not be an indication that everything is going to be fine for Huawei. It is possible that both these authorities have added the Chinese tech company to their list for the 90-day permit to push out updates for existing phones. Just a day after blacklisting it, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the US Department of Commerce offered Huawei a temporary 90-day license to conduct business and provide updates for the smartphones that are already in the market.
Things are not looking fine for the company because a number major equipment and services suppliers have already cut trade ties from the company. Huawei, however, says it was well prepared for the rainy days. The company is reportedly developing its own OS, which may be called the Ark OS. The company was also reported to be in talks with Aptoide as Google Play Store alternative for future smartphones.
Recently, Huawei filed a motion for summary judgment against the US government to accelerate the process of removing the trade ban. The company argues the constitutionality of Section 889 of the 2019 US National Defense Authorization Act (2019 NDAA), and wants it thrown out. The Section 889 of the Act prohibits government agencies from procuring telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE. It alleges that the US government has provided no evidence to show that Huawei is a security threat.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/30SVt7g
iOS apps reportedly sharing massive amounts of data with tracking companies when you sleep
Ever since Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica data fiasco was exposed, users have become more aware and intersted in knowing how their data is collected and/or shared. Multiple companies are also touting to be more privacy centric now and Apple is one such conglomerate that has always expressed how it values user privacy and takes steps to ensure its users are protected. However, a new report by The Washington Post's Geoffrey Fowler sheds light on how iPhone apps are using trackers that users don’t know about to send a high volume of user data to tracking companies. Fowler took help of the privacy firm Disconnect to test his iPhone, apps on which reportedly sent 1.5GB worth of personal information to tracking companies over a period of one month.
In the research, Fowler found that apps from some top companies were sending user data to tracking companies. These apps included Nike, Yelp, Spotify, Microsoft OneDrive, Mint, IBM’s The Weather Channel, DoorDash, the crime-alert service app Citizen, and even The Washington Post's own iOS app. As per the report, over 5,400 trackers were encountered, mostly in apps, in one week of testing. Most of these trackers are said to work inconspicuously without the user knowing that they are running in the background and sending data. This data is then used to tailor and target ads at a user.
As for data being sent at night, the service is apparently activated when the phone is charging. The trackers are activated when there’s less possibility of them interfering with other functions of the device. This is said to happen if one has enabled “background app refresh” function, which is enabled by default on an Apple device. DoorDash is a food-delivery service in California, US, and its app was found sending data to nine third-party trackers. On the other hand, an app for location-based crime reports called Citizen was found sharing Fowler’s phone number, email and exact GPS coordinates with a tracker called Amplitude. The app was later updated to remove the Amplitude tracker, after its developers were contacted.
“For the data and services that apps create on their own, our App Store Guidelines require developers to have clearly posted privacy policies and to ask users for permission to collect data before doing so. When we learn that apps have not followed our Guidelines in these areas, we either make apps change their practice or keep those apps from being on the store,” Apple told The Washington Post in a statement. As the report points out, not all data collection is bad, especially when the data collected is anonymised and transiently stored. However, some of these trackers were collecting and sending data without disclosing what type of data is collected, for what duration it is collected and with whom it is shared.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2VZrrv0
ICC World Cup 2019: How and when to livestream matches in different languages, follow match updates on Google Search
ICC World Cup 2019 will kick off starting today. Ten teams will play 48 matches between May 30, 2019 and July 14, 2019 to decide which teams and players reign champion in the game of cricket. The first match in the Round-robin World Cup tournament will kick off at 3PM today when home team England meets South Africa for the first tussle. While a lot of Indians will be stuck to their TV screens for the duration of the cup, many would be stuck at work without access to live television. Here are a bunch of solutions for those who want to watch live world cup matches and follow the ball-by-ball action online, on their smartphones, smat TVs, Fire TV Sticks, or desktop computers.
How to watch World Cup 2019 Online?As usual, the most popular platform for streaming live cricket matches in India will also be streaming the ICC World Cup 2019. Hotstar has exclusive rights to live stream all World Cup 2019 matches on its app across smartphones, web browsers, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Android TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku TV and more. Users can simply download the Hotstar app and start streaming world cup matches in 6 different languages. This year, Hotstar US and Canada customers will also be able to live stream World Cup 2019 matches through all the above mentioned sources.
Fans should note that there is at least a 4-5 minute lag between the live broadcast and what they see on Hotstar. This way, streamers could find themselves 4-5 balls behind the live match.
Hotstar will also be retaining its Watch ‘N Play feature during ICC World Cup 2019 live streams. The social interactivity layer was first introduced on the streaming platform with IPL 2019. Hotstar claims 64.4 million users who engaged on the platform’s Watch ‘N Play social feature during the IPL tournament, and 1.2 billion users answered Watch ‘N Play game questions, sent over 5.9 billion emojis, and 43.5 million comments.
The first match between England and South Africa will start at 3PM IST today. India's first match will happen on June 5 against South Africa at 3 PM IST.
While there are multiple cricket-focussed websites out there, Google Search is one of the best sources to follow match schedules, timings, updates and more. Simply typing in World Cup or World Cup 2019 in Google Search or the Google app will yield results on the day’s match along with its time and details of the following matches. The information is clearly presented in cards and split into three sections namely, Matches, News and Table.
The Matches section will show match timings and contending teams. The News tab will show curated articles and videos from sports websites, and the Table tab will display points, matches played, runs, wickets taken and all other in-depth information about each match. You can also see how the ten teams performed in warm-up matches through Google’s world cup search tool.
Which TV channels will broadcast ICC World Cup 2019 in India?In India, World Cup 2019 will be telecast on Star Sports 1 Bangla, Star Sports 1 Marathi, Asianet Plus SD (For 9 India + Semis + Final), Star Sports Select 1, and Star Sports Select 1 HD.
Images courtesy: ICC
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2wsb2ET
Death Stranding release date set for November 8, new trailer reveals characters, cast, gameplay
A new trailer for the upcoming Hideo Kojima game, Death Stranding hit the internet last evening and we still don't know what the game is about. The nearly 10-minute long trailer gives us a good look at the characters in the game, gameplay elements, the cast of the game and above all, the release date. The game will hit the PS4 on November 8, as promised by Kojima. He said that the game would launch before the 2020 Olympics and even though we thought the game would be a launch title for the PS5, we were wrong. The gaming legend has lived up to his promise and we will get the game before the year's ends.
Before we give you our insights on the trailer you can enjoy it below.
The Death Stranding trailer begins with a shot of Cliff portrayed by none other than Hannibal Lecter himself - Mads Mikkelsen. The trailer then goes on to show us the protagonist Sam Porter Bridges, portrayed by The Walking Dead's Norman Reedus, who is talking to the President of the United States. She gives him a mission to unite the country once again and then we see some gameplay and UI elements along with an understanding of the dead or rather undead characters in the game. The undead characters you encounter in the game are called BT’s and the baby shown in the game is used as a bridge between our world and theirs.
It looks like once the BT’s get a hold of you, they take you to a world where pain and suffering is constant in the form of war. This is the one place where we see Sam in action with a gun. Until then it looks like combat in the real world will be limited to hand-to-hand combat. Sam also has a futuristic bike he can use to traverse the environment. We also get a glimpse of the rain in the game called Time Fall. Getting exposed to the rain leads to rapid ageing, a feature we have seen in previous trailers. The trailer ends with Cliff telling us that we can go anywhere, even the moon. Does this mean we will take a trip to outer space in the game?
Despite having so many new details about the game, we still don't know what the game is actually about and that is the beauty of it. Hideo Kojima has shown us so much of the game yet held back the strands that join the dots. This cat and mouse game has undoubtedly added to the hype about Death Stranding. Another thing to note is the similarities in gameplay to Metal Gear Solid V. From the melee combat to the gunplay and even the alert sound when the enemies spot you all is very reminiscent of the Metal Gear Solid V. We honestly can’t wait to get our hands on this game later this year.
For those interested the game is already up for pre-order. You’ll have the option to choose between the Standard Edition, Special Edition, Digital Deluxe Edition and Collector’s Edition – all of which include the full game and bonus incentives for pre-ordering. Those that pre-order the Standard Edition for Rs 3,999 get a voucher to download a Chibi Ludens PSN Avatar plus, a Death Stranding PS4 Dynamic Theme at launch.
Pre-orders also receive special gold versions of in-game items earned through gameplay including Gold “Sam” Sunglasses, Gold Hat, Gold Speed Skeleton (Increase the speed of Sam’s movement when equipped) and Gold Armor Plate (Increase protection against any damage Sam takes).
It isn’t clear whether The Special Edition of the game is coming to India. However, it includes a collectable Steelbook case. Those that pre-order The Special Edition receive all incentives offered through the Standard Edition. The Special Edition also includes a special gold version of the Gold “Ludens Mask” Sunglasses earned through gameplay. It includes digital bonuses as well including Death Stranding: Timefall (Original Music from the World of Death Stranding), Music Album Digital Download and Behind the Scenes Making Of Digital Video.
You can read more about the game on the official blog here.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2QvG6wI
Redmi K20-Series could launch as Poco F2 in India, 12GB RAM Redmi K20 Pro variant spotted on TENAA
Recently, Redmi launched its K20 Series of smartphones in China. It was rumoured that the company might announce the same phone in India as the Poco F2. Now, a new media report has reiterated the development claiming that Redmi is likely to launch the K20 and K20 Pro devices as Poco F2 and Poco F2 Pro in the country. It also claims that the Chinese phone manufacturer would price them competitively in the Indian market.
Further, Xiaomi has also announced that it is adding a “new member” to the Mi 9 family and the smartphone would come equipped with a pop-up selfie camera, similar to the Redmi K20 and K20 Pro. The above mentioned report suggests that the K20 series of phones could be called the Mi 9T and Mi 9T Pro when they launch in Europe.
And almost certain, darlings. The Redmi K20 is indeed likely to be the Poco F2. The SD 855 edition is likely to be called F2 Pro and the SD730 just F2. And the prices will be astonishing!
— Tech Auntyji (@techauntyji) 29 May 2019
K, I or T...Which letter would you choose for the newest member of our Mi9 family? why? #PopUpInStyle pic.twitter.com/Ks5xokWrUG
— Xiaomi #5GIsHere (@Xiaomi) 29 May 2019In a separate report, a 12GB RAM variant of the Redmi K20 Pro was seen listed on the database of Chinese regulatory authority TENAA. This would make the Redmi K20 Pro available in 6, 8 and 12GB of RAM when it launches in other markets like India.
The Redmi K20 Pro sports a Full HD+ 6.39-inch Super AMOLED display with a Gorilla Glass 6 protection. Redmi says that the display offers a 91.6 percent screen-to-body-ratio, and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the phone features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset, with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The Redmi K20 Pro ships with Game Turbo 2.0 that is touted to deliver an enhanced gaming experience. A 4000mAh battery keeps the lights on, which supports 27W fast charging.
In terms of camera, the phone ships with a vertically stacked triple camera setup. There is a 48MP Sony IMX586 primary shooter with an aperture of f/1.75, a 13MP secondary sensor with a wide-angle lens having an aperture of f/2.4 and a field-of-view of 124.89 degrees. The telephoto lens comes along with an 8MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.4. The phone’s camera will be able to record slow-motion video at up to 960fps videos. The selfie pop-up camera has a 20MP sensor and comes with a feature that will let users take a wide-angle selfie by just tilting the phone on either side.
Meanwhile, Redmi K20 is a watered down version of the K20 Pro. Under the hood, the phone has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor, along with 6GB RAM and up to 128GB local storage. The handset sports the same 6.39-inch AMOLED display and will draw its power from a 4,000mAh battery that comes with an 18W fast charge. The camera setup is also the same as the Pro variant, however, it uses the 48MP IMX582 sensor.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2YPHPQu
Google rolling out speed limits, radar locations for Maps
After running tests in the US and elsewhere, Google is rolling out speed limits and mobile radar locations in over 40 countries, including India, EnGadget reported on Thursday.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/30XG31p
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Here's why Tech Mahindra has partnered with Cisco
IT services major Tech Mahindra Thursday said it has partnered Cisco to deploy digital solutions of the US-based company at its Hyderabad campus.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2EItRZ0
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US House Speaker Pelosi blasts Facebook over its refusal to take down doctored video
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has blasted Facebook's refusal to take down a doctored video of her, using the incident to accuse the tech giant of being a "willing enabler" of Russia's election interference.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2Xh7j8X
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Twitter's new feature to allow up to three users join live streams
After Instagram, now micro-blogging site Twitter has decided to allow broadcasters on its app open up their live streams to guests.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2HMer89
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Japan Display gets debt relief, says consortium to formalise bailout
The consortium, which includes Taiwanese flat screen maker TPK Holding Co Ltd and Chinese investment firm Harvest Group, will replace Japanese government-backed fund INCJ as Japan Display's biggest shareholder with a 49.8% stake.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2JOPQBx
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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg likely to face leadership vote
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was likely to face a leadership vote at the social networking giant's annual general meeting on Thursday to step down as Chairman.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2Ke5pCn
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TTML to raise up to Rs 35,000 crore through equity, debt
Telecom operator Tata Teleservices Maharashtra will raise up to Rs 35,000 crore through preferential shares and non-convertible debentures, according to a BSE filing by the firm.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2JOPPxt
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Reliance Communication's 'lesson' for Ericsson
Swedish telecom gear maker Ericsson is considering tweaking provisions in business deals to avoid situations like those it is facing with Reliance Communications.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2KlB1Gr
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42.5 million user records from dating apps may be at risk of leaking
As many as 42.5 million records of users of different dating apps were found in a single Chinese database that doesnt have a password protection, a security researcher has said.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2I6tgBj
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Alibaba Cloud launches new products and features, calls India important market
Alibaba Cloud, the data intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, unveiled over 10 new products and features at the Alibaba Cloud APAC Summit here on Thursday. The company also emphasised that India was an important market with strong potential.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2Wei7rZ
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Vodafone Idea rolling out new designation structure from June
Vodafone Idea Ltd. (VIL), India’s leading telecom operator, is introducing a new employee designation structure across the organisation as a part of its integration strategy, which delinks from those used by the two partners prior to their merger, and is future ready.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/30SdWRl
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Apple defends App Store amid mounting criticism
The Cupertino, California-based technology company also said it provided a fair marketplace for 20 million developers in its Apple Developer Program.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2KbNGeU
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Why obscene ads on IRCTC is users' problem and not Indian Railways'
The Indian Railways Seva handle (@RailwaySeva), which was set up in December 2017 for passenger support, also educated the complainant that online advertisements depend on personal browsing history of a user.from Gadgets Now http://bit.ly/2JLskFw
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Thursday, 30 May 2019
Amazon Echo Show 5 with 55-inch display, physical privacy camera shutter launched at Rs 8,999
Amazon recently launched its Echo Show device in India, which features a 10-inch HD display and is priced at Rs 22,999. Now, the company has introduced a smaller, less powerful and less expensive version of it as the Amazon Echo Show 5. The new Echo Show 5 is priced at Rs 8,999 and it features a 5.5-inch touch enabled display that sports a 960 x 480p resolution. The device is aimed at not only enabling users to interact with Alexa using voice commands, but also to let them make use of the screen for entertainment, video calling and other visual tasks. Echo Show 5 comes in Black and White colour options, and is currently up for pre-order via Amazon.in, with shipping slated to commence in July. It joins the Echo Dot, Echo, Echo Spot, Echo Input, Echo Plus, and Echo Show in Amazon’s Echo range of devices in India.
While the Echo Show (First Impressions) sports two 10W drivers with a passive radiator, the new device features a 1.65-inch speaker. The Echo Show 5 sports a 1MP camera on the front and those who get the device will be able to place video calls to those who have an Echo Spot, Echo Show, the Alexa smartphone App, or Skype. Alongside a microphone/camera off button, the Echo Show 5 also comes equipped with a physical camera shutter aimed at providing a sense of privacy to users. Additionally, Amazon recently announced that the Alexa Announcements feature is available for all Amazon Echo devices and the new Echo Show 5 gets it as well.
“Customers love the screen complementing Alexa on the Echo Show. The Echo Show 5 now makes it easier and more affordable to have a smart display in every home. The new form factor is perfect for a bedside table, living room side table or desk, plus it has a camera shutter for added peace of mind, and new Alexa privacy features for even more control,” says Parag Gupta, Head of Amazon Devices, India.
The display on the Echo Show and the Echo Show 5 can be used to enable clock faces, add personal photos, play slideshow of images, follow recipes, watch videos on Amazon Prime Video and more. Amazon says a new Alexa Privacy Hub will soon be made available, which will be a “single source of information on how Echo devices are designed as well as the controls you have over your Alexa experience”. All Alexa enabled devices will also get a new skill, which will enable users to delete their voice recording by saying “Alexa, delete what I just said” or “Alexa, delete everything I said today”.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2YTJBjr
Dell Alienware m15 first impressions: refreshed so soon
For Dell, Computex 2019 was its biggest set of announcements in many years. Typically, the company makes its biggest reveals at CES in Las Vegas, but Computex 2019 saw some pretty exciting announcements as well. One of these announcements is the new Alienware m15 and the Alienware m17, both of which now carry the designation R2.
The most striking change to the new m15 and m17 laptop happens to be its upgrade to the Legend design. Alienware had debuted their new industrial design nicknamed Legend at CES 2019, with the Area 51m being the first machine to sport it. CES 2019 was also when the company launched the new m15 and m17 laptop, the company’s smallest and lightest gaming laptops in their respective sizes. We reviewed the m15 and for the most part, recommended, save for some heating issues.
The Alienware m15 R2 with its Legend design comes with honeycomb cutouts for improved airflow
At the launch, we caught up with Joe Olmsted, Director Gaming Products, Alienware and asked him why Alienware would release a redesigned m15 so quickly. To this, he said that Alienware wanted to introduce the new Legend Design and for that, the Area 51m was the perfect candidate. It is understandable that the company would want something iconic looking in the market to go with a stand-out machine. On being asked if this would upset buyers, he assured that Alienware would maintain both the Alienware m15 R1 and R2 in the market. When asked why anyone would want to go with the R1 over the R2, he said “well, for one, it’ll be cheaper,” further adding that the m15 R1 supports up to 32GB RAM with SODIMM slots while the m15 R2 supports a maximum of 16GB RAM that is soldered onto the board.
While the R1 will also get an update to Intel’s 9th generation Core processors, the real differentiator between the two generations really is the design. But it isn’t just a cosmetic thing. Measuring a little under 20mm at its thickest, the Alienware m15 R2 also features a completely redesigned keyboard. Olmstead reveals that Alienware designed the keys and switches from the ground-up, emulating the curve of desktop mechanical keys on the laptop. While definitely not a mechanical keyboard like experience, the new keys do feel al whole lot better to type on than those on the m15 R1. Lastly, Olmstead says the cooling on the m15 R2 has been improved, to allow for 10-30 percent better airflow.
The all-new keyboard on the Alienware m15 R2 offers an excellent typing experience
New Alienware HeadsetsThe new Alienware m15 and m17 R2 laptops were also joined by two new Alienware branded headsets, the Alienware AW510H and the Alienware AW310H. The former is a 7.1 surround sound headset while the latter is a stereo sound headset. At the event, Wee Kee Yeo, Vice President and General Manager Client Peripherals was nice enough to answer a few questions. He highlighted the sheer amount of attention to detail Alienware put into creating the two new headsets, saying that the 50mm drivers were very specifically tuned for gaming. Additionally, the choice of materials for the inner cup along with the diameter of the cup itself was very carefully chosen to meet the expectations of delivering pin-point accuracy for gamers. He also reassured us that both the headsets have undergone extensive testing, especially with regards to their durability. The headsets are tested for stretching of the headband from prolonged use, as the company doesn’t want the headset to get loose over prolonged usage.
The new Alienware m15 R2 is definitely a striking redesign. The upgrade to the Legend theme is definitely working in the new machine’s favour, making it look slimmer than it actually is. The new honeycomb cutouts that are a part of the Legend design also aid in better airflow simply by virtue of being there, but the bigger fans on the inside are expected to definitely help with thermals. The two new headsets that debut at under $100 are also promising devices, especially at the price point they’ve been launched. Dell is yet to give any official word on when the new Alienware portfolio will come to India.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2EEgVU8
PUBG Mobile players on emulator can get 3850 UC, Scar-L skins and more as rewards
While a smartphone might be your device of choice for playing a round of the uber-popular battle royale title PUBG Mobile, some players prefer the keyboard-mouse experience. For such players, Tencent has an official emulator called the Tencent Gaming Buddy and one can download and install it to play PUBG Mobile on a PC. The game developer is now offering additional credits, weapon skins and more for emulator using players as a reward under an ongoing event. Under the event, a player gets three chances to participate in a lucky draw thrice and there are a total of seven rewards.
One can win three out of these seven rewards, which consist of 3850 UC, a rename card, permanent Dcamo Scar-L Skin, Nightmare Enforcer Set for 30 days, Emperor Penguin suit for 7 days, 128 BP coins or 2 x BP Card for 3-days. One apparently needs to log into the Tencent Gaming Buddy Emulator with Facebook to get the option of participating in the lucky draw. As per a report, one would get three lucky draws everyday till the event is happening and clicking on the redeem button that pops up to enter their player ID and redeem code to get the reward.
In case you are interested in getting the rewards and/or playing PUBG Mobile on your PC, you can do so by installing the emulator. One needs to download and install official Tencent Gaming Buddy Emulator and run it to download PUBG Mobile. The software downloads game files on its own and one will just need to change its language, if required. After that’s done, one simply needs to run PUBG Mobile, which will download additional game files and that’s it. One is ready to go get some chicken dinners. However, if you still have some doubts, you can check out our detailed guide on how to install and play PUBG Mobile on PC here.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2KdOK1B
OnePlus 7 goes on sale on June 4 starting at Rs 32,999
The recently launched OnePlus 7 (First Impressions) will go on sale at 12:00 PM on June 4. The device will be available via Oneplus.in, Amazon.in (only for Prime customers) and at all OnePlus exclusive offline stores. At all partner retail outlets, pre-booking for the OnePlus 7 will begin on June 7 and the sales commence on June 14. The OnePlus 7 was launched along with the OnePlus 7 Pro on May 14, and it features a design similar to its predecessor, the OnePlus 6T.
The OnePlus 7 will be available in Mirror Grey colour and in 6GB RAM + 128GB storage and 8GB RAM + 256GB storage variants. The Red colour variant will only be offered in 8GB RAM + 256GB local storage model. The device will be available starting at Rs 32,999 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant and Rs 37,999 for the 8GB RAM + 256GB storage model.
The OnePlus 7 doesn’t get a full-screen display design like the OnePlus 7 Pro and features a waterdrop notch display like the OnePlus 6T. It sports a 6.41-inch Full HD+ Optic AMOLED display with 60Hz refresh rate. The display sports pixel density of 402 PPI and has an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. Under the hood, the OnePlus 7 ships with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mobile platform. As mentioned, the phone will be available with 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X RAM, and 128GB/256GB UFS 3.0 storage. Just like the Pro variant, the OnePlus 7 also gets dual stereo speakers.
The smartphone features a dual camera setup on the back with a 48MP Sony IMX586 main sensor. It is paired with a lens having an aperture of f/1.7. This main sensor supports Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) and Phase-detection autofocus (PDAF). There is also a 5MP secondary sensor, and the lens with this sensor has an aperture of f/2.4. The setup is assisted by a dual LED flash. On the front is a 16MP Sony IMX471 secondary sensor with the lens having an aperture of f/2.0. It is equipped with a 3,700mAh battery with fast charging support (5V/4A), and the phone features an in-display fingerprint sensor.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2JMJP8G
Apple steps closer to foldable future with latest patent grant
The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted Apple a patent for a foldable screen that could be used on iPhones and other devices. According to Patently Apple, the patent is for an electronic device with a display and cover that are flexible or bendable. The flexible cover layer may be formed from materials like glass, strengthened glass, sapphire or zirconia to provide protection to the flexible display from potential damage. This layer may also provide structural support for the display.
The latest patent differs from the one that was granted to Apple earlier this year. Two parts hinged together with a foldable panel fixed on top were depicted in that patent. The new patent shows a foldable phone that wraps around the outside of the device. It should be noted that companies, including Apple, often patent ideas that never get transformed into a product or a service. It could also be that Apple is experimenting with different designs to get one right for foldable iPhones to come. Reports of bendable iPhones have been doing the rounds since 2016 and Apple has been rumoured to be in talks with Samsung, LG and BOE for foldable displays in the past. So the Apple wagon is certainly moving towards some form of foldable device in the future.
While Samsung and Huawei picked up on the foldable phone trend this year, Apple still finds itself on the other side of the fence. Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, however, is on a sticky wicket after several reviewers reported issues with the display and Samsung delayed the launch of the phone. Huawei is yet to launch its Mate X foldable device which is slated for a July debut. Samsung's bendable flagship could arrive alongside the Mate X in July unless the company hits any further hardware snags.
Talking about Apple's stake in the market, Daniel Ives, an analyst at Wedbush Securities, told CNN Business., "They're [Apple] well behind Samsung when it comes to foldable phones. But one advantage is that Samsung's Galaxy Fold has had technical issues as well as expensive pricing.”
Apple has also filed patents for a flexible display with touch sensors and portions, as well as a flexible iPhone that can fold in half and grip a person's clothes. It has been reported that the Cupertino-based company will launch a foldable phone in 2020. “Foldable phones and 5G represent the next generation of smartphones in the coming years,” Ives added. Maybe Apple will have that chunk of the pie after all.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2VVIfml
99 PUBG Mobile players banned for a decade for cheating
PUBG Mobile is one of the most famous battle royale games available right now, alongside Fortnite and the soon to be launched Call of Duty: Mobile. The title rose to fame with its unique gameplay style and new content that the developers keep adding to it from time to time. It’s no surprise that people would try and get a leg up in the competition via unfair means but this mars the experience for honest players. PUBG Mobile is now cracking down on such players who use unfair means to gain an advantage. It has posted a partial list of 99 players that have been banned from the game for 10 years for cheating or using unauthorized 3rd party app to “dishonestly assist their game play in a match.”
“We take this issue very seriously; as such, each account in violation has received a 10-year ban. We would like to remind all players about the importance of fair play, and thank you for keeping PUBG MOBILE fair and fun. We will continue to enforce stringent discipline against cheaters and publish the IDs of confirmed cheaters. Thank you for helping us make PUBG MOBILE a better game,” reads a PUBG Mobile blog post. The game devs are serious about such offences as the list of players banned by them partially reveals their ID and account numbers.
Back in December 2018, PUBG implemented new anti-cheating system on PC, Xbox, and PS4. This resulted in banning of over 30,000 players and 16 professional players who were reportedly using radar hack. In January this year, PUBG banned four professional players for three years as they were first suspected of employing unauthorised software for winning games and after an investigation, it was confirmed that these players were indeed cheating. As a result, pro-PUBG players Christian “Cuhris” Narvaez, Liam “Liammm” Tran, Tyler “DevowR” Sti and Mark “Tefl0n” Formaro have been banned from participating in all official esports competitions for three years, starting December 31, 2018.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2JJD7An
OnePlus 66T get OnePlus 7 Pros Zen Mode, Screen Recorder in latest OxygenOS beta update
Earlier this month, OnePlus announced that it will trickle down the Zen Mode and Screen Recorder features to the OnePlus 6 and the OnePlus 6T smartphones. The company has now delivered on its promise and has released open betas for both these devices bringing the above-mentioned features in last year’s flagship devices. For OnePlus 6 it’s an OxygenOS Open Beta 19, and for the OnePlus 6T, the update is Open Beta 11. Apart from these, OnePlus has also rolled out fixes and improvements in other areas as well.
The Zen Mode in OnePlus 7 Pro is basically a “stricter” version of Google Wellbeing. It helps users to stay away from their phones for a certain period of time. When the feature is turned on, the user won’t get any notifications, calls, or messages for 20 minutes straight. What’s interesting is that a user who has opted to enable this mode, there is no turning back. Once you’ve chosen to enter into the ‘Zen Mode’, no matter what you do (even restart the phone), you cannot exit the mode for 20 minutes. Users, however, can make emergency calls and click images.
The second feature, called screen recording, essentially records what you do on your screen. This is not a new feature because OEMs like Apple and Huawei have already offered it in their phones. Google is expected to bring this feature natively in Android Q. According to the changelog on OnePlus forum, the company has also fixed the bug where Facebook messenger pops up notifications when in gaming mode. The update also brings an improved smooth-scrolling experience to the device. The PIN-TO-TOP feature for notification category has also been rolled out to users only in India.
People who have enrolled for Beta testing will receive the new build as an OTA. Those who have migrated to the beta testing will continue to receive Open Beta OTAs, but won’t receive the regular Official Stable OTAs. If you want to move back to the Official OTA path from the Beta path, you will require a full install and clean flash.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2EFLIjp
RedmiBook 14 notebook announced with up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 Processors, Nvidia GeForce MX250 GPU
Redmi recently launched its new flagship smartphone, the Redmi K20 Pro in China, along with the Redmi K20. At the launch event, the company also announced a new laptop called the RedmiBook 14, which is the company’s first notebook. At first glance, the device’s design resembles a MacBook but the specs are different from what Apple offers on its laptops. The new RedmiBook 14 comes with up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 Processors and gets an Nvidia GeForce MX250 GPU. The laptop is said to weigh around 1.5kg and deliver up to 10 hours of battery life on a single full charge.
RedmiBook 14 specificationsThe new RedmiBook 14 falls under the thin and light category of laptops. As mentioned, it is powered by up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processors and features the discrete Nvidia Geforce MX250 GPU. Equipped with a 14-inch 1920 x 1080p display, the device sports 8GB RAM that is coupled with 512GB of SSD storage, and comes with an ‘efficient’ cooling system. The laptop is touted to deliver DTS surround sound and is said to deliver up to 10 hours of usage on a single full charge.
The RedmiBook 14 features a full-size keyboard with 19mm wide keys that have a travel distance of 1.3mm. Its touchpad also supports multitouch gestures. In terms of connectivity, the laptop features an HDMI port, 2 x USB 3.0 ports, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a USB 2.0 port. The laptop includes a genuine Microsoft Office Home and Student editions.
RedmiBook 14 pricingThe base variant of the RedmiBook 14 is priced starting at CNY 3,999 (Rs 40,300 approx). It comes equipped with the Intel Core i5 processor and 256GB of SSD storage. The 512GB SSD variant of the laptop is priced at CNY 4,299 (Rs 43,300 approx), while the top-end Intel Core i7 model with 512GB SSD is priced at CNY 4,999 (Rs 50,400 approx). There is no info on whether the device will make it to India or not. In China, it will be available for pre-bookings from 12 AM local time on June 1 and go on sale starting June 11.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2X8Lp7W
Vivo Y15 with 5000mAh battery, triple rear camera launched for Rs 13,990
Expanding its Y-Series of smartphones, Vivo has launched the Vivo Y15 smartphone for a price of Rs 13,900 in India. The phone’s USP is its massive 5000mAh battery and an AI-powered triple rear camera. The Vivo Y15 will be available in Aqua Blue and Burgundy Red colours across online platforms (Flipkart, Amazon.in, Paytm, Tata Cliq), all offline partner outlets and Vivo India E-store.
The phone will be available on EMI options with 0 percent interest with Bajaj Finserve, IDFC Bank, HDBFS, HDFC Bank, Home Credit and Pinelabs Credit/Debit cards. The lowest EMI option starts at Rs 1166. Reliance Jio customers can avail benefits worth Rs 4,000 along with 3TB data. There is an offer under which users can get extra Rs 1,000 off on exchange.
The Vivo Y15 sports a 6.35-inch Halo FullView HD+ LCD display with a waterdrop notch, offering 89 percent screen-to-body ratio. The phone is equipped with Helio P22 processor, along with 4GB of RAM and 64GB onboard storage. The phone runs Android 9 Pie based Funtouch OS 9 and houses a 5000mAh battery. The back panel wears a gradient design and has a square-shaped fingerprint sensor.
The Vivo Y15 sports a vertically-aligned triple camera setup at the back consisting of a 13MP primary sensor with a lens having an f/2.2 aperture. There is an 8MP super-wide angle lens with f/2.2 aperture and a 120-degree field-of-view. The third 2MP depth sensor has a lens with an f/2.4 aperture. On the front is a 16 shooter with a lens having an aperture of f/2.0.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2Wcjsjb
YouTube Music Premium and YouTube Premium get new Student subscription plans in India
In a bid to gain more subscribers, and increase overall revenue, YouTube has announced a new Student Plan in India. The new plans are available for both YouTube and YouTube Music Premium, and students will have to shell out less money when opting for the plan. Students who are eligible to opt for the plan will be able to subscribe to YouTube Music Premium at Rs 59 and YouTube Premium at Rs 79 per month. Standard users need to pay a monthly fee of Rs 99 and Rs 129 to get premium access to YouTube Music and YouTube respectively.
In India, the ‘Student Plans’ are currently open for full-time students from accredited colleges or universities. Eligibility rules to opt into student plans dictate that one must be enrolled as a student at a higher education institution in where YouTube student memberships are offered and which the verification platform SheerID has approved. One will have to check if their college has student plans available by visiting the YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium page, selecting ‘Get Student Plan’ option and punching in their college in the school SheerID form. If their college name appears, then they can avail the service.
Do note that after successful verification, one will be eligible to continue with the student plan for four years but will need to re-verify every year. In addition, if one currently uses an active premium subscription of YouTube or YouTube Music but wants to shift to a discounted student membership, they will need to first cancel the existing subscription. The new student plans by YouTube are not dissimilar to what other online music streaming services offer. For example, Spotify's student plan in India enables one to avail premium subscription to its service at Rs 59 per month. Apple charges Rs 60 monthly to students who buy an Apple Music membership.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2HZfgsQ
MSI at Computex 2019: X570 series motherboards, GT76 Titan gaming laptop, P65 Creator laptop and WS65 mobile workstation launched
Computex 2019 is at full swing in Taiwan and manufacturers have already unveiled a bunch of exciting components and devices. Not to be outdone, MSI has also unveiled a bunch of stuff like motherboards, laptops, and more. Among the announcements include the new MEG X570 motherboard and the GT76 Titan laptop.
X570 series motherboardsMSI MEG X570 Godlike
The MEG X570 Godlike motherboard packs an OLED display that shows the various hardware conditions. It also incorporates the Killer xTend network solution as well as the Killer Wi-Fi 6. For audio, the motherboard incorporates Xtreme Audio DAC. Other features include the new Frozr Heatsink Design that sports double ball bearings and a patented fan that packs the company’s Propeller Blade Technology and Zero Frozr Technology. This is then connected to an extended heat-pipe
The MEG X570 Godlike features Gen4 PCIe and M.2 solutions for up to 64GB/s bandwidth and the double-layer M/2 Shield Frozr help avoid throttling. It also bundles the M.2 XPANDER-Z Gen4 card and a 10G Super LAN Card. Further, Mystic Light Infinity II offers new RGB lighting with infinity mirror reflection effects.
MSI Prestige X570 Creation
While MEG X570 Godlike is aimed at gamers, the Prestige X570 Creation is geared towards content creators. The motherboard offers dual LAN with 10G Super LAN. It also offers Wi-Fi 6 standard, which is said to offer 3x bandwidth and lower latency. Like the MEG X570, it too offers Frozr Heatsink, extended heat-pipe and M.2 Shield Frozr. Users also get the new MSI Creator Center software. Which allows for adjustable system modes and resources.
MSI MEG X570 Ace
Like the MEG X570 Godlike, the X570 Ace is also aimed towards gamers. The motherboard features PCIe 4.0 standard for M.2 and PCIe expansion slots. The company notes that the Gen4 M.2 can support up to 64GB/s bandwidth and offer faster transfer speeds. Like others in the series, the MEG X570 Ace offers the M.2 Shield Frozr to cool M.2 devices. Other thermal solutions include the Frozr Heatsink Design.
During Computex 2019, MSi also announced that they will be working with Phison for improved PCIe ecosystem. The company showcased that the MSI Lightning Gen4 M.2 slots on the MEG X570 ACE with the Phison Gen 4x4 MVMe Ps5016-E16 SSD were capable of recording a sequential read speed of 5000 MB/s. The company notes that this is an improvement over previous standards by over 150%.
LaptopsMSI GT76 Titan
The MSI GT76 Titan features a 17.3-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The laptop packs 9th Gen Intel Core processors that can be overclocked to 5.0GHz. For graphics, the laptop is available with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. For cooling, the device packs the Cooler Boost Titan. The company notes that this 4-fan and 11-pipe cooling design is capable of generating 2.25 times the airflow. Other features include the upgraded Kinner DoubleShot Pro which supports 2.5Gbps LAN and Wi-Fi 6.
MSI P65 Creator
As the name would suggest, the P65 Creator is aimed at content creators. It packs a 15.6-inch panel, which MSI saus offers “close to 100%” of the sRGB gamut. It also comes with MSI True Color technology for better colour fidelity. It is powered by Intel’s 9th Gen Core i9 processor and sports Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics. The laptop also aims to offer portability and battery life. The MSI P65 Creator is 17.9mm thick, and the company claims a battery life of over eight hours.
MSI WS65 Workstation
MSI also unveiled a lineup of upgraded workstations, including the MSI WS65, which is said to be the world’s first laptop to be powered by the Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 graphics card. Other features include a 4K display, glass touchpad, fingerprint reader, Windows Hello and TPM 2.0 crypto-processor technology. Other features include a white backlit keyboard and Thunderbolt 3.0 compatibility. MSI claims that the laptop can offer a battery life of over nine hours. It will be available in the US for $3,499 (approx Rs 2,44,601).
MSI announced at all of its WS and WE series of workstations, including the new WP series will offer Nvidia Quadro RTX graphics and 9th Gen Intel Core i9 processors. The company claims that their workstations offer MIL-STD 810G certification for ruggedness.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2JKM5gJ
Nokia 9 PureView, Nokia 1 Plus, Nokia 210 could launch in India on June 6
HMD Global, the company that sells Nokia-branded phones, might launch its flagship Nokia 9 PureView in India on June 6. The Finnish company has sent invites to the media fraternity for a launch taking place in New Delhi on June 6. The Nokia 9 PureView is one of the devices from HMD's 2019 portfolio that we haven't yet seen in India. Apart from the Nokia 9 PureView, HMD Global is also yet to launch the Nokia 1 Plus and Nokia 210 in India.
The Nokia 9 PureView, Nokia 1 Plus and Nokia 210 were launched at MWC 2019 in Barcelona. The USP of the Nokia 9 Pureview is the penta-camera setup on the back. The flagship Nokia phone was under development for long and missed several launch dates last year. Nokia claims that the phone has something unique to offer for both professional and amateur photographers. While the Nokia 1 Plus is an entry-level Android Go smartphone, the Nokia 210 is a smart feature phone. Earlier this month, the company launched the Nokia 3.2 and the Nokia 4.2 smartphones in the country.
Nokia 9 PureView specificationsThe Nokia 9 PureView has a glass-sandwich body with a metal frame that has the same diamond-cut finish as the Nokia 8 Sirocco. It sports a 5.99-inch display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The P-OLED display with 2K resolution and HDR10 compliance is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. There’s an under-display fingerprint sensor as well. Under the hood, the phone has Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, which is coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The phone is rated IP67 for water and dust resistance.
In the camera department, the Nokia 9 Pureview sports five cameras on the back and all of them have 12MP resolution. Three of the five cameras have monochrome sensors and two are RGB sensors. There’s an additional ToF depth sensor and a dual-tone LED flash in the module. All the five sensors have a fixed focal length of 28mm. The Nokia 9 shoots from all five cameras simultaneously, and Nokia claims that the cameras deliver a 12.4-stops of dynamic range for a more detailed image.
On the front, the Nokia 9 Pureview has a 20MP f/1.8 aperture camera that supports 4-in-1 pixel binning. The phone comes with Android 9 Pie out-of-the-box, and is powered by a 3320mAh battery. It supports fast charged with Quick Charge 3 and USB Power Delivery as well as 10W wireless charging. The phone does not have a 3.5mm jack.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2HJ9Rrd
Intel Honeycomb Glacier gaming laptop prototype features dual-displays, Tobii eye tracking and more
Intel announced its 10th Generation of Core processors at Computex 2019 but the company’s new concept gaming laptop turned most heads. Intel is showcasing its Honeycomb Glacier concept gaming laptop that aimed at both gamers and creators and it sports an interesting form factor, to say the least. While we have already come across dual-screen laptops from Asus, Intel is taking the feature one step further with its concept machine that alongside a 15.6-inch main display, features a 12.3-inch companion screen that sits below the main display and above the keyboard, similar to the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo (first-impressions).
Adding a second display was not enough as the Intel prototype laptop has another trick up its sleeve. While the laptop folds out like any other standard device, the primary display can be tilted up so that the companion display is pulled with it. Like other dual-screen laptops we have come across so far, the purpose of Honeycomb Glacier is delivering more screen real estate to game and create on a laptop. While gaming, the companion screen can display maps, status and more information, without needing to switch applications on the main screen.
Another interesting application demoed by Intel is using the device’s second screen to stream simultaneously while gaming. This enables a user to interact with their audience while gaming, without being completely distracted from the gameplay. The laptop showcased by Intel also features Tobii eye tracking that assesses when the user is looking at the main display or the companion display and scales elements being shown accordingly.
While currently a concept, Intel is working with OEMs to making the device an actuality. The companion display systems can be expected to show up in future laptops, with 9th Gen Intel Core mobile processors. Asus ZenBook Pro Duo series with ScreenPad Plus is the first device to feature a companion display.
from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2YTV0je