Death Stranding Release Date Set for November 8, Pre-Orders Go Live and Editions Detailed

Death Stranding has finally been confirmed to release on November 8, and pre-orders for the game have now gone live with a total of four editions in tow.

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com http://bit.ly/2EHVMbF

PUBG Mobile: 16-year-old dies of heart attack after losing in game

In yet another PUBG Mobile-related case, a 16-year-old kid died of a heart attack after playing the game for six hours straight, in Neemuch town of Madhya Pradesh. According to a report by The Times of India, the incident happened when Furkan Quereshi, a Class XII student, and his family were visiting a relative for a wedding. The kid’s father said that before collapsing on the floor, the boy was shouting and he was very agitated while playing PUBG. He also said that the kid was addicted to the game.

According to the victim’s sister, Furkan suddenly started shouting “blast karo, blast karo (carry out the blast).” Soon, he removed his earphones and was heard saying, “Ayan, I will not play with you. You made me lose,” before he collapsed on the floor. He was rushed to the hospital but was declared brought dead.    

“He didn’t have a pulse when he was brought in. We tried to resuscitate him, but he could not be revived. The excitement of the video game might have caused a surge in adrenaline, causing tachycardia (increased heart rate) and cardiac arrest,” The Times of India quoted cardiologist Ashok Jain, who examined Furkan, as saying. The victim’s brother said that Furkan sometimes played for 18 hours a day.

This is not the first death related to PUBG Mobile. Earlier this year, a 16-year-old student in Hyderabad committed suicide after being scolded for playing PUBG Mobile for too long. Kallakuri Sambashiva, a student, killed himself after his mother scolded him for playing the game instead of studying. According to Kallakuri father, when the kid’s mother scolded him for playing the game,he got angry and committed suicide by hanging in his bedroom.

As a remedy to this addiction, PUBG Mobile developers rolled out a Healthy Gameplay System notification that barred them from playing the game for more than six hours. PUBG Mobile was temporarily banned by the city administration of Rajkot and later by the district authorities of Gujarat in Bhavnagar and Gir Somnath. Hyderabad-based Forum Against Corruption is also working to get a ban on PUBG Mobile in schools. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2WAoy8b

PUBG Mobile: Teen Allegedly Dies After Playing PUBG for 6 Hours

A 16-year-old boy died of cardiac arrest allegedly while playing PUBG Mobile for six hours at a stretch in Madhya Pradesh.

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com http://bit.ly/2WBqQ74

Xiaomi can achieve 50 smartphone market share in India: Redmi GM

Highlighting that Xiaomi India is the number one smartphone player since the third quarter of 2017 (as per IDC), Redmi General Manager, Lu Weibing has said that the company can achieve 50 percent market share of the Indian smartphone market. Although the executive didn’t explain how Xiaomi is going to achieve this target, he did mention that the company would increase investment in India. Seperately, during the recent launch of the RedmiBook 14, Weibeing also said that the company "will roll out more mobile devices and develop products to cater to demands at office and home."

Xiaomi has been doing well in India. A recent report said that in the first quarter of 2019, Xiaomi dominated the top 5 best-selling smartphone list. The top three phones were Xiaomi Redmi 6A, Xiaomi Note 6 Pro and Redmi Y2. The company remained the smartphone market leader in the quarter with 29 percent share. Its newly-launched Redmi Note 7 series (Note 7 and Note 7 Pro) crossed the one million mark within the first quarter of its launch. Further, Xiaomi’s offline contribution was highest in March.

The reason for the company’s growth has been attributed to its aggressive offline expansion by increasing its number of retail stores (Mi Preferred Partners), Mi Homes, and Mi Stores specifically to target smaller towns. Recently, the company announced that it has opened its 1000th Mi Store in in Rewari, Haryana. It also opened its seventh manufacturing plant in India, in partnership with Flex Ltd.

On a global level, Xiaomi is the fourth largest smartphone brand in terms of shipments (Counterpoint Research). The market research firm said that the are now looking to expand into Europe. According to Weibing, Xiaomi will launch the Redmi brand in Latin America and Africa this year. Earlier this week, Redmi launched the K20 and K20 Pro smartphones in China. Weibing was closely associated with the launch as he was responsible for teasing the phone on Weibo.

Source 1, Source 2

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2QyUx3c

Latest smartphones with 6GB RAM starting at Rs 16,999

Fancy a phone with 6GB RAM? With the amount of RAM now increasing in phones at every price range, 6GB RAM phones have become a strong selling point,especially in mid-range smartphones. Most of the phones with 12GB and 8GB RAM come with a 6GB RAM variant while some 4GB mid-rangers also offer a 6GB RAM variant. 6GB RAM is that sweet-spot which neither feels overkill nor too less, and the available resources ensure the phone runs smooth in most scenarios. With 6GB RAM available, the amount of resource available for free will range around 30 to 40 percent in most cases which is a good thing, as that leaves enough resources to use when the phone is stressed.

These are the latest smartphones with 6GB RAM -

Samsung Galaxy A70 (Buy Here) Price: Rs 28,990

The Samsung Galaxy A70 is a high-end phone from the company’s A-series lineup. The Galaxy A70 comes only in 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant and is powered by the Snapdragon 675. It offers an expansive 6.7-inch Infinity-U display with a water-drop notch.

Oppo F11 Pro (Buy Here) Price: Rs 24,990

The Oppo F11 Pro is like the twin brother of the Vivo V15 Pro with very similar set of features like a 48MP camera, wide-angle lens and a pop-up front camera with bezel-less display. What’s different is the fact that the F11 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Helio P70 SoC along with 6GB RAM and up to 128GB storage.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro (Buy Here) Price: Rs 16,999

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro is highly popular particularly for the 48MP camera on the back of the phone. It also sports a powerful mid-range Snapdragon 675 processor that’s adept at gaming along with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage.

Realme 3 Pro (Buy Here) Price: Rs 16,999

The Realme 3 Pro acts as a good alternative to the Redmi Note 7 Pro with the Snapdragon 710 at the heart of things along with 6GB RAM and up to 128GB storage. The Realme 3 Pro sports the same 16MP camera that’s found on the OnePlus 6T and manages to take good photos provided the lighting is optimum.

Samsung Galaxy M30 (Buy Here) Price: Rs 17,990

The M-series smartphone from Samsung offers a large 5,000mAh battery and a triple-camera setup on the back. It also comes with a bright AMOLED display and offers 6GB RAM and 64GB storage.

Samsung Galaxy A50 (Buy Here) Price: Rs 22,990

This premium mid-range offering from Samsung comes with a wide 6.4-inch AMOLED display and is powered by the Exynos 9610 SoC along with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. This one too rocks a triple-camera setup on the back and is marketed as a device for consuming content.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2wutAEH

Project Strobe: Google limits third party app access to Drive, Chrome extensions

Google has announced new policies for Chrome extensions and Drive that will restrict third party apps’ access to user data. Chrome extension developers will now be required to request the least amount of user data their app needs to function. Third party apps like Pixlr that connect with Google Drive to function in some situations, will now be be barred from accessing all files. The changes have been brought under Project Strobe that was launched last year to review how third party apps handle users’ Google account and Android device data.

Google says there are more than 180,000 extensions in the Chrome Web Store, and nearly half of all Chrome desktop users actively use extensions to customise Chrome and their experience on the web. “We’re requiring extensions to only request access to the appropriate data needed to implement their features. If there is more than one permission that could be used to implement a feature, developers must use the permission with access to the least amount of data,” Ben Smith, Google Fellow and Vice President of Engineering, said in a blog post. Google also said that under the new rules, extensions are required to post privacy policies. This will also include extensions that handle personal communications and user-provided content.

Additionally, the updated policy for third party apps that seek access to users’ Google Drive, will also give users more control over what data they can access in Drive. The apps will now be required to seek permission from the user each time they need access to a file. “With this updated policy, we’ll limit apps that use Google Drive APIs from broadly accessing content or data in Drive. This means we’ll restrict third-party access to specific files and be verifying public apps that require broader access, such as backup services,” Smith explained.

Google says that the announcement is being made in advance to give developers the time needed to ensure their extensions will be in compliance. These changes will go into effect early next year.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2Xi8jcO

MediaTeks 5G SoC solves one big problem, but has one major drawback

With Qualcomm and Huawei’s 5G modems now showing up in smartphones across 5G markets, MediaTek became the latest company to announce its entry into the space. At Computex 2019, MediaTek announced a 7nm 5G SoC becoming the first to claim rights to a microchip that has the CPU, GPU and the 5G modem integrated in the same silicon. It was a big move from the Taiwanese chipset designer, thwarting both Qualcomm and Huawei to the race to integrate the SoC with the 5G modem. But is that all there is to the story?

For one, the 5G chipset doesn’t even have an official name. It has the MediaTek Helio M70 5G modem integrated into an SoC that has the CPU, GPU and an APU. But there’s no confirmation whether the chipset is even ready, or MediaTek simply wanted to make noise about it before anyone else. The Helio M70 was announced at MWC 2019 and is offered as an affordable offering to OEMs. The company’s entry to the 5G space is important because Qualcomm and Huawei will spend the early years of 5G prevalence catering to the premium market, while MediaTek has focused primarily on the mid-range and entry-level space.

Next-gen CPU and GPU

The MediaTek 5G SoC is notable not just for the fact that it has the 5G modem integrated. For the first time, MediaTek can claim the bragging rights of announcing the latest microarchitecture that ARM announced just two days before MediaTek’s unveiling. The 5G SoC incorporates the newly announced ARM Cortex A77 cores as performance cores, along with the new Mali G77 GPU. The Cortex A77 improves upon the current DynamIQ architecture to offer 20-25 percent boost in CPU performance while the Mali-G77 features a whole new “Valhall” architecture that promises a big boost in efficiency, performance and in handling AI tasks. We will do another deep dive into the latest ARM cores and GPUs once these chipsets become a reality.

The MediaTek 5G SoC will also sport a new AI processing unit or APU as the company calls it. It can now apparently do more complicated AI tasks like de-blurring images (one of the examples the official website states). However, we don’t think the APU can still be configured to run custom AI tasks like what Qualcomm offers in its AI Engine. Instead, MediaTek preloads commonly required AI applications in the APU by default so that OEMs looking to cut down R&D costs don’t have to invest more to enable AI features on their devices. It’s primarily the reason why most budget MediaTek phones can offer basic features like portrait mode, AI filters and the likes.

This is also going to be the first 7nm SoC from MediaTek. The Helio P90 flagship SoC that MediaTek announced earlier this year was on a 12nm process. This should deliver higher power efficiency and the advantages of 7nm lithography can finally be exploited by the mid-range OEMs making affordable smartphones more powerful.

Integrated 5G SoC

The 5G modem integrated in the yet-to-launch chipset is the MediaTek Helio M70 that the company had announced back in MWC 2019 in Barcelona. The Helio M70 modem is capable of delivering 4.7Gbps download speed and 2.5Gbps upload speed and also supports multi-mode of 2G, 3G and 4G. However, there’s a big caveat. The Helio M70 only supports the sub-6GHz spectrum and not the mmWave spectrums. That’s a big fundamental difference between the Snapdragon 5G modems and the Balong 5000 5G modem, and the MediaTek 5G modem. But it does support both standalone and non-standalone 5G standards. That could be how the Helio M70 was integrated directly into the SoC. The mmWave modules of the modem is said to generate a lot more heat and isn’t quite energy efficient yet. I mean the spectrum is made of high-frequency microwaves. MediaTek got around the biggest challenge of integrating a modem by simply passing on the feature that’s causing the setback.

Having said that, it likely won’t hurt the chipset’s prospects in the market all that much. mmWave spectrum is presently only deployed in the United States and no other 5G markets. MediaTek will primarily target emerging markets where low-cost smartphones sell more than premium flagships. And in those markets, mmWave-enabled 5G connectivity is still far away. By not supporting a spectrum that won’t find any use in majority of markets anytime, it could be a smart move from MediaTek to keep the costs down, and achieve a feat its rivals are still trying to accomplish. However, the company could find itself at a disadvantageous position when mmWave connectivity do become more prevalent.

It’s also important to integrate the modem to the SoC. A discrete modem will take up extra space inside the phone where with pop-up camera modules, large batteries and the myriads of features, space is already on the down low. Most of the 5G phones announced this year are quite large in size, with enough surface area inside to fit the modem outside the chipset. By integrating the modem, maybe there can be space left for the endangered 3.5mm headphone jack?

MediaTek is well poised to bring 5G connectivity to emerging markets to mid-range phones. The question remains, by when? Both Qualcomm and Huawei are out with their 5G modems. The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G and a host of other 5G devices announced at MWC 2019 are powered by the Snapdragon X50 modem which is discretely paired with the Snapdragon 855 whereas the Huawei Mate X and Huawei Mate 20 X, are the two only devices that runs on the Balong 5000 5G modem. We expect the MediaTek 5G SoC to start showing up in devices from 2020. But by then, it might remain the only SoC offering an integrated 5G modem.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2ELjoMk

Harman announces AKG K175 and K245 Studio Headphones, JBL Reference Monitors in India

Harman, an American subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has announced an array of audio products in India aimed towards content creators and 'Prosumers' (professional consumers). Their aim with this line of products is to target content creators and provide professional-grade audio products for them, without compromising on quality, at a reasonable price point. The newly-announced range from Harman includes two new professional-grade headphones from AKG's K series — the AKG K175 and K245, the JBL 104 Reference Monitors, JBL Nano K series Monitors, and the JBL EON ONE & EON ONE PRO PA systems. The prices for Indian consumers, however, have not been disclosed yet.

AKG K175 and K245

AKG K245

 

The company launched two new studio headphones, the AKG K175 and K245, which are particularly made for mixing and audio editing. These newer headphones are more durable, sturdy, portable and are advertised to sound better than previous headphones in the K series. The K175 is slightly lighter than the K245, and the former are on-ear headphones, while the latter are over-ear headphones. The K175 headphones are closed-back, supra-aural headphones which provide sound isolation and also block ambient noise. The K245, being open-back, offer a more realistic sound and are good for studio usage.

JBL 104 Reference Monitors

 

The JBL 104 Reference Monitors are small studio monitors that can be utilised as PC speakers and are meant to be listened to at a close range. Harman deems these speakers ideal for recording musicians, podcasters, music and video producers, or anyone seeking an enjoyable audio experience. They boast a coaxial design, which basically means a truer response from the monitors and a wider sweet spot. They also have an integrated 60-watt Class D power amplifier, with 30-watts distributed to each speaker.

JBL Nano K series Monitors

JBL K8 Monitors

Harman has unveiled an array of JBL Nano K Series Monitors including the K3, K4, K5, K6, and K8. These products provide essential value for money monitoring for home studios, podcasters, content creators and music enthusiasts in general. All the Nano K series monitors come equipped with kevlar cones, which is the material used to make bulletproof vests, and are considered superior to the traditional paper cones. The K3 and K4 models come with Bluetooth connectivity as well.

JBL EON ONE and EON ONE PRO

JBL EON ONE PRO

 

The JBL EON ONE and EON ONE PRO are all-in-one linear-array PA systems, with the EON ONE featuring 6 channels and the PRO version featuring 7 channels. The difference between the two is that the Pro version has a rechargeable Lithium-ion battery which is said to last for up to 6 hours, making it even more portable and convenient. Harman claims that the devices optimise sound dispersion so that your family, friends or even an audience can hear music from all angles, even from behind allegedly. The EON ONE PRO houses an 8" subwoofer, while the EON ONE has a 10" one.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2IdIeWl

OnePlus 7 Pro, Huawei P30 Pro get Netflix HDR certification, Google Pixel 3 series get Netflix HD certification

Smartphones are fast turning into the primary device for content consumption, at least in India.  It’s no surprise that most mobile phone makers are getting their devices certified for streaming High Definition (HD) content from Netflix. The online media streaming platform has some restrictions in place like DRM protection, and to stream shows and movies in HD, a device needs to get Widevine L1 certification. 23 new devices consisting of tablets and phones are now added to the list of devices that can stream HD content directly from Netflix. From these 23 devices, six handsets support playback of HDR content on Netflix. 

The new smartphones certified to stream Netflix content in HD and HDR include the OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro. Google Pixel 2, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a series. Additionally, some Honor branded phones have also made it to the list such as the Huawei P30, P30 Pro, Honor Play COR-L29) and Huawei P Smart+ (INE-LX1). The Razer Phone 2 and Samsung’s new A-series of smartphones, like the Galaxy A10, A20 and A20e, A30, A40 and the Galaxy A50, are also included. Out of these, the OnePlus 7, OnePlus 7 Pro, Honor Play, Huawei P30, P30 Pro, and Razer Phone 2 can stream HDR content from Netflix. 

There is a minimum criterion that a device needs to meet for receiving Netflix HDR streaming capabilities. First off, a handset needs to support Netflix app version 5.0 for Android and the user needs to be on a 4 screen Netflix plan. Additionally, a steady internet connection speed of 25 megabits per second or higher is suggested for streaming. There are also some new tablets that have received Netflix support. Honor WaterPlay 8, Huawei MediaPad M5 10, MediaPad M5 10 Lite, and the MediaPad T5 10 tablets, along with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and the Galaxy View 2 tablets will now be able to stream HD content from Netflix. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2ELE1YT

Huawei Mate 20 temporarily back on Googles Android Q beta website

A week after delisting all the Huawei devices from Android, Android Enterprise program, and Android Q Beta program webpages, Google has taken a U-turn to relist the Huawei Mate 20 smartphone on its Android Q beta website. It is speculated that the inclusion is temporary and the device could remain on the platform till the completion of the 90-day respite.

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the US Department of Commerce gave 90-day license to Huawei a day after the US Government blacklisted the company. The permit would allow the company to conduct business and provide updates for all Huawei and Honor smartphones that are already in the market. Relisting the Huawei Mate 20 on the Android Q page could mean that the phone will also get the Android Q betas that Google may launch in the near future.

Before making a come back on the Android Q page, Huawei made a return to the company lists of SD Association and Wi-Fi Alliance. Just like from Google’s Android-related pages, Huawei’s company name was also removed from their respective lists following the ban. The ban apparently pressurised all major US equipment and services suppliers to cut trade ties with the Chinese tech giant.

Huawei is reportedly developing its own OS, which may be called the Ark OS. The company has trademarked three names with European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO). These names were apparently registered on May 24 and include HUAWEI ARK OS, HUAWEI ARK, ARK and ARK OS. The company was also reported to be in talks with Aptoide as Google Play Store alternative for apps for future smartphones.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2W3vqGN

Harman announces Prosumer range of audio products

Harman, an American subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, recently announced an array of audio products in India aimed towards content creators and 'Prosumers' (professional consumers). Their aim with this line of products is to target audio enthusiasts amongst the masses and provide professional-grade audio products for them, without compromising on quality, at a reasonable price point. The newly-announced products include two new professional-grade headphones from AKG's K series, the AKG K175 and K245, the JBL 104 Reference Monitors, JBL Nano K series Monitors, and the JBL EON ONE and EON ONE PRO.

AKG K175 and K245

AKG K245

 

The company launched two new studio headphones, the K175 and K245, which are particularly made for mixing and audio editing. These newer headphones are more durable, sturdy, portable and allegedly sound better than previous headphones in the K series. The K175 is slightly later than the K245, and the former are on-ear headphones while the latter are over-ear headphones. The K175 headphones are closed-back, supra-aural headphones which provide good sound isolation and also block ambient noise. The K245, being open-back, offer a more realistic sound and are perfect for studio usage. Both headphones are priced quite conservatively, the K175 costs $129 while the K245 comes in at $149.

JBL 104 Reference Monitors

 

The JBL 104 Reference Monitors small studio monitors that, according to the company, are perfect as PC speakers and are meant to be listened to at a closer range. Harman deems these speakers to be ideal for recording musicians, podcasters, music and video producers, or anyone seeking an enjoyable audio experience. They boast a coaxial design, which basically means offers a truer response from the monitors and a wider sweet spot. They also have an integrated 60-watt Class D power amplifier, with 30-watts distributed to each speaker.

JBL Nano K series Monitors

JBL K8 Monitors

Harman unveiled an array of JBL Nano K Series Monitors including the K3, K4, K5, K6, and K8. These products provide essential, value for money monitoring for home studios, podcasters, content creators and music enthusiasts in general. All the Nano K series monitors come equipped with kevlar cones, which is the material used to make bulletproof vests and are considered superior to the traditional paper cones. The K3 and K4 models come with Bluetooth connectivity as well.

JBL EON ONE and EON ONE PRO

JBL EON ONE PRO

 

The JBL EON ONE and EON ONE PRO are all-in-one linear-array PA systems, with the EON ONE featuring 6 channels while the PRO version has 7 channels. The difference between the two is that the Pro version has a rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery which can last for up to 6 hours, making it even more portable and convenient. The devices optimise sound dispersion so that your family, friends or even audience can hear the music from all angles, even from behind allegedly. The EON ONE PRO houses an 8' subwoofer, while the EON ONE has a 10" one which makes sure that the bass is heard.

 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2QAnr2O

Microsoft will showcase 14 first-party games for Xbox One at E3 2019

Microsoft and Sony have been butting heads in the war for console domination for over a decade now. However, the Japanese company seems to have taken a lead this generation thanks in-part to its quality of exclusive titles. Games like Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War and Spider-man have been lauded as some of the best games of this console generation, Microsoft’s lineup has been average at best, with Forza and Halo series being some of the best exclusives that the Xbox One has to offer. Now though, it looks like Microsoft will be going to E3 2019 all guns blazing. The company’s Head of Xbox, Phil Spencer tweeted that the company plans to unveil a total of 14 first party games at this year’s E3. He also said that this was the most number of first party titles the company has ever shown off at E3.

Microsoft has been acquiring game studios for the past few years now. The company now owns some very notables studios like Ninja Theory, Playground Games, Undead Labs and more. Microsoft has placed these studios under the umbrella of Xbox Game Studios. 

Just finishing our final E3 rehearsal here with the team in Redmond. Feel really good about the briefing. Lots to show. We have 14 Xbox Game Studios games in the show this year, more first party games than we've ever had in the show. Fun times. #XboxE3

— Phil Spencer (@XboxP3) May 30, 2019

Spencer hasn’t yet revealed which games will be revealed at E3, but it is safe to assume that Halo: Infinite and Gears 5 should be among them. There are also rumours that the company may unveiled a new game in the Fable series. We also expect to hear about Microsoft's next generation of console at E3. 

Sony, on the other hand, will be absent from this year’s E3. The Japanese company is expected to unveil some more information or even launch a brand new console. Mark Cerney, Lead Architect of the upcoming PlayStation suggests that the new console will offer support for 8K gaming and ray-tracing.

While Sony and Microsoft have been rivals for quite a while, the two have announced a partnership to develop future cloud-gaming solutions. While the news came as a surprise for many gamers, there were a few who were as surprised as the Sony PlayStation Team who weren't informed of the development before hand. 

E3 2019 kicks off from June 11 and will go on till June 14.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2JOdD4R

Samsung Galaxy M40 confirmed to feature 32MP rear camera, 16MP selfie shooter

Just a day after Amazon teased the Galaxy M40 smartphone on its platform, a media report has said that the phone would be equipped with a 32MP sensor at the back and a 16MP selfie shooter. Citing Asim Warsi, Senior Vice President of Smartphone Business, Samsung India, the report from 91 Mobiles said that the phone would launch at a price of around Rs 20,000. The Galaxy M40 is the company’s fourth phone in the M-series.

The Galaxy M40 will launch in India on June 11 at 6 PM, and will sell on Amazon. The landing page on Samsung's website shows the M40 featuring an Infinity-O display with the punch hole on the top left of the screen. On the back, the phone is seen sporting a triple camera setup, but there is no concrete info about the resolution of the sensors and nature of the lenses associated with those sensors. The three cameras are situated on the top left corner with an LED flash under the setup. Apart from the three cameras, the rear panel also shows a fingerprint sensor.

As per Amazon’s listing, the Samsung Galaxy M40 will be powered by a Snapdragon 6 series platform. It is expected to be the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 that can be seen as a major upgrade over the Exynos 7904 which powers both the Galaxy M20 and the Galaxy M30. Previous reports have suggested that the phone will tout up to 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage.

The Galaxy M40 may feature a Super AMOLED display. It could be backed by a large 5000mAh battery and is expected to run on Android 9 Pie out-of-the-box. The handset reportedly bears SM-M405F model number, and has already been certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance. Incidentally, a device with the same model number was also spotted on Geekbench.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2QG4iN6

Alphabet’s DeepMind AI Beats Humans in Multiplayer Shooter

DeepMind, owned by Google’s parent company Alphabet, has designed automated "agents" that taught themselves how to play a competitive first-person multiplayer video game shooter, and became so good they consistently beat human beings.

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com http://bit.ly/2Ia7n48

Google apologises for accidentally spamming Duo users worldwide with video ad from Indian cricket team

Google accidentally spammed users of its video calling app, Duo, with a message from the Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli. Many users reported receiving an unexpected video message from someone who wasn’t on their contact list. On opening the notification, they were greeted with Kohli, who thanked them for their wishes and asked them to “Keep cheering for Team India on Duo”. While some people speculated that Google Duo might be starting to show ads, the company has acknowledged and apologised for the message which was accidentally pushed out to users worldwide. 

In a support thread, a Google employee states that the video message was sent accidentally to unintended recipients. “This was not an ad -- it was a message that users in India were intended to receive as a thank you if they chose to participate in an upcoming Duo promotion,” says the Google employee. Additionally, it is confirmed that Kohli was not added as a contact and as soon as one deletes the received video, one will no longer see it in Duo. Some users also complained about being unable to clear the notification of receiving the message. They can long press on the Duo app icon to see a menu show where swiping left or right will remove a notification.

Anyone else get this random #duo message from @imVkohli? #googleduo #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/3COS3VxaeK

— Laura Eileen (@Rawr_b4_coffee) May 30, 2019

While the message was intended for select Indian Google Duo audience, AndroidPolice notes that users in the US, Canada, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand have reported receiving the above promotional video message. While it’s good news that Google Duo is not jumping on the ads bandwagon, this ‘accident’ of pushing a video ad did cause some worry for users. Google might not have any current plans of making ads a norm on Duo, but WhatsApp will start showing ads from next year. Olivier Ponteville, the Head of Media at Be Connect Agency who tweeted out the announcement along with a photo. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2IamIl9

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare releasing for PS4, Xbox One and PC on October 25, new trailer revealed

Call of Duty Modern Warfare isn’t a sequel to 2011’s Modern Warfare 3. The game is a sequel and a soft reboot of the 2007 game with the same name. In Modern Warate, there will be a single player campaign where players will “take on the role of highly-skilled Tier One operators in an incredibly raw and gritty narrative affecting the global balance of power.” The campaign of the game will be split in two, to give players a diverse perspective on the story. In one half, players will play as a Tier 1 operator, a special forces soldier. In the second half, players will take on the role of a rebel fighter in the Middle East.

According to the Activision Blog Post, “The new Modern Warfare delivers an emotionally charged and intense campaign that shines a light on the changing nature of modern war. Expect a single-player experience that is edgy, culturally relevant, and thought-provoking. Players will fight alongside a diverse cast of international special forces and freedom fighters working within the grey area of their rules of engagement, in a number of heart-pounding covert operations set throughout iconic European cities and into the volatile expanses of the Middle East. Missions include close-quarter, stealth operations and long-range combat that puts tactical decision-making to the ultimate test.” You can watch the trailer for the game below:

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare was a genre-defining game bringing FPS war based games in a modern era. Call of Duty has itself been a fan favourite franchise when it comes to FPS games booth with single-player campaigns and online multiplayer. However, games like Halo, Battlefield, Bioshock, Metro, Titanfall and more have given the Call of Duty franchise a run for its money. Maybe it’s time the series went back to the roots that made the franchise so desirable. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2WfSiaR

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 wont have headphone jack, physical buttons: Report

Samsung generally launches its Note series flagship in August, which means this is the time that rumours and leaks about the phone start to crop up in numbers. In one such rumour, the Note 10 is reported to launch without any physical buttons and 3.5mm headphone jack. Android Police reports that the phone won’t have the power, volume and Bixby buttons, and they would be replaced by capacitive or pressure-sensitive areas. According to the report, these pressure sensitive areas will likely be highlighted by some kind of raised ‘bump’ and/or texture on the edge.

This is not the first time that reports have pointed about a button-less design of the Note 10. Previously, a Korean media outlet had reported that Samsung could have “mechanisms, gestures, and touch-based inputs” to enable functions like summoning the AI-powered virtual assistant Bixby, power on/off the phone and increase/decrease volume. There is no information on whether Samsung intends to carry over the same design to next year’s Galaxy S11 devices.

As far as the 3.5mm headphone jack is concerned, Samsung is probably the last company to get rid of the tech from its flagship phones. Arguably, the 3.5mm jack was one of the key reasons why people chose Samsung devices over others. Premium smartphone makers including, Apple, Google, OnePlus and even Xiaomi (Mi 9) have removed the headphone jacks from their devices, and are offering adapters instead to complement their devices. Samsung's decision to remove the headphone jack is likely to make space for a larger battery.

The displays are becoming more vibrant and its seems that OEMs are now understanding the need for large batteries in the phones. For example, Redmi K20 and OnePlus 7 Pro ship with 4,000 mAh batteries. Samsung Galaxy S10+ houses a 4,100 mah battery pack. Rumours have suggested that a variant of the Galaxy Note 10 might come equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, which is similar to the Galaxy S10 5G phone. Reportedly, the Note device will come with charging “faster than 25W”.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2IfmMQu

Google rolls out Popular Dishes feature on Google Maps created using crowdsourced images

You clicked it, tagged it and Google created a feature thanks to your contributions. For months, Google has been asking Google Maps users to tag restaurant dishes by clicking pictures and adding names to them. Through this, Google created a bank of information to offer a new feature called Popular Dishes in apps. Google Maps will now show popular dishes from a restaurant, based on the images clicked, tagged and reviewed by users. This is an approach Google has used since a long time to train its image recognition algorithms. Remember identifying street signs in reCAPTCHA? That probably helped Google create image recognition features for lens or event its autonomous cars.

Coming back to Google Maps, now when you search for a restaurant on the app, you can head over to its Menu tab (not available for all restaurants) to see the Popular Dishes section right on top. The section features user clicked images in square tiles, with options given for the number of pictures and reviews for that dish at the bottom. Tapping on the dish will present all the user reviews in a list, accompanied by the names of these users. Some of these reviews are also generated by Google’s Local Guides, people who share reviews, photos, and knowledge about the places around them on Google Maps. Local Guides are also rewarded with points for tagging and reviewing dishes on Maps.

There’s also an option to edit reviews and mark changes like wrong dish names, inappropriate dish name and dish not served here. Moreover, Google Map users can tap the + button to add their own images of dishes as well as tag them to help Google better its Popular Dishes recommendations.

“At the end of the day, this feature is  made possible because of contributions from people around the world who want to help others using Google Maps. So if you want to pay it forward to the next diner, simply take a photo of your meal (before you’ve scarfed it down!) and add a dish name so others can know what’s good on the menu,” Google noted in a blog post.

Popular Dishes is now live on Google Maps for Android devices worldwide and will be rolled out to iOS users in the coming months.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2VYiy4I

Microsoft Xbox Game Pass comes to PC: All you need to know

One of the best things to happen to the Xbox two years ago was a little service called Xbox Game Pass. It gives gamers access to more than a hundred games for a monthly fee. The service includes all Xbox first party games at launch. Game Pass is now making its debut to the PC. Rather than being called the PC Game Pass, Microsoft is still calling the service Xbox Game Pass, which leads many to think that their service from the console could be carried forward to the PC. Whether this is the case or not isn't clear as the release doesn't detail a price for the service nor a launch date. It also doesn't highlight whether the PC version of the Xbox Game Pass will be bundled with Game Pass Unlimited. For those unaware, Game Pass Unlimited gives users Xbox Live Gold subscription and Xbox Game Pass subscription in one roof. More information about the new service will come at E3 2019.

Coming back to Xbox Game Pass for the PC, the service will give players unlimited access to a curated library of more than 100 PC games on Windows 10. The list of developers that will support the service includes Bethesda, Deep Silver, Devolver Digital, Paradox Interactive, SEGA, and more. Microsoft has said that titles from newly acquired studios like Obsidian and inXile will also be available to Game Pass subscribers on the PC and the consoles. Microsoft says, “We’re working with over 75 developers and publishers to bring PC content to the service and we’ll ensure the library remains curated and full of great PC titles across a variety of genres, with new games added every month.”

Xbox Game Pass for PC members will also receive the benefits enjoyed by console players. Gamers will get discounts in the Microsoft Store on Windows of up to 20% on games currently in the library and up to 10% off related game DLC and add-ons. Microsoft has also said that they are bringing cross-platform play and cross-network play across Windows 10 PCs and console. Microsoft says, “Building communities across all of those players, regardless of the store or platform they’ve chosen (console or PC), is also vitally important because it helps bring players together, allows games to find their largest audience and allows gaming to deliver its true potential of uniting people around the power of play.”

Microsoft has also said that their first party games will be available in multiple stores, including the Microsoft Store on Windows. The company has said that Halo: The Master Chief Collection will come to PC later this year, launching on Steam in addition to the Microsoft Store on Windows. “We will continue to add to the more than 20 Xbox Game Studios titles on Steam, starting with Gears 5 and all Age of Empires I, II & III: Definitive Editions. We know millions of PC gamers trust Steam as a great source to buy PC games and we’ve heard the feedback that PC gamers would like choice. We also know that there are other stores on PC, and we are working to enable more choice in which store you can find our Xbox Game Studios titles in the future.”

You can read the announcement in details on the Xbox News website here. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2XgHIwR

Moto Z4 goes official with Snapdragon 675, 48MP camera, Moto Mod support and more

After an ‘accidental’ listing on Amazon and being leaked in its entirety, the Motorola Moto Z4 smartphone is finally official. Moto Z4 is the smartphone manufacturer’s latest mid-range handset, which runs on the Snapdragon 675 platform. As is the tradition with company’s Z-series of phones, the Moto Z4 also comes with Moto Mod support and ships with a moto 360 camera mod in-the-box. While the specifications of the device clearly show that it is a mid-range handset, its pricing suggests otherwise. The Moto Z4 has a price tag of $499.99 MSRP (Rs 34,893 approx), which is in the same price range as the OnePlus 7, and it will be available via Verizon for a cheaper price. 

Moto Z4 specifications

The Moto Z4 features an updated design as compared to its predecessors. The overall display bezels are thinner and there’s a waterdrop notch on the top that houses the front camera. The smartphone comes equipped with a 6.39-inch Full HD OLED display with a 2340x1080p resolution with a 19:9 aspect ratio. As mentioned earlier, it is powered by the Snapdragon 675 SoC, which is coupled with 4GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. The phone also supports memory expansion of up to 512GB via a microSD card.  It runs on stock Android 9 Pie and is backed by a 3600mAh battery that is touted to deliver up to two days of battery backup. 

In terms of optics, the Moto Z4 is equipped with a single 48MP sensor on the rear, which is capable of delivering 12MP output using Quad Pixel technology. The sensor has 1.6um pixel size and is paired with f/1.7 aperture lens with OIS, PDAF, and Laser Autofocus support. The phone’s camera features different modes such as Cinemagraph, Portrait / AI Portrait Lighting, Night Vision, Spot Color, AR stickers, Panorama, Live Filter, and Google Lens. On the front is a 25 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture lens. The Moto Z4 features a headphone jack as well, is compatible with all moto mods and gets an in-display fingerprint sensor. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2EKaMWq

Xbox Game Pass Subscription Service Headed to PC With Over 100 Titles

Microsoft is bringing the Xbox Game Pass subscription service over to the PC ecosystem. Xbox Game Pass for PC will offer access to more than 100 titles on Windows 10 for a monthly fee.

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com http://bit.ly/2XiftxJ

Redmi Note 7 Pro goes on sale today at 12 PM via Flipkart, Micom and Mi Home Stores: All you need to know

Redmi recently launched its Redmi Note 7S smartphone in India, which is now available via an open sale. However, the Redmi Note 7 Pro with 48MP camera goes up for sale today at 12 PM. The mid-range smartphone by the company is powered by the Snapdragon 675 SoC and comes equipped with a dual camera setup. Highlights of the smartphone include a 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor, which is claimed to capture good images even in low light conditions. Since the device is not yet available in open sale, one is advised to keep their trigger finger ready for buying it. 

Redmi Note 7 Pro specifications

The Redmi Note 7 Pro features a dual rear camera setup, which, as mentioned earlier, includes a 48MP primary sensor with an f/1.79 lens. There’s also a 5MP secondary depth sensor. On the front, it gets a 13MP shooter. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset and comes with up to 6GB RAM and up to 128GB of internal storage. It runs on Android 9 Pie out of the box with MIUI 10 layered on top. The Redmi Note 7 Pro comes equipped with a 6.3-inch full-HD+ display that offers a resolution of 1080x2340 pixels and has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. 

Redmi Note 7 Pro price and sale offers

The 4GB RAM + 64GB model of the Redmi Note 7 Pro is priced at Rs 13,999, while its 6GB RAM + 128GB version costs Rs 16,999. It will be available in Nebula Red, Neptune Blue, and Space Black colour models. The smartphone goes on sale today at 12 PM via a Flipkart, Mi.com and Mi Home Stores. 

For launch offers, Reliance Jio users can avail a double data offer when they recharge with Rs 198 and above. Xiaomi is also offering up to 1,120GB data along with unlimited calling for Airtel subscribers.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2JQcWrt

Pokemon Sleep Will Let You Earn Points for Sleeping, Coming Next Year

Pokemon Company is developing "Pokemon Sleep", a mobile app that tracks players' sleep and uses the data for gameplay, with a release date set for next year.

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com http://bit.ly/2Qv6Z3J

Australia Sues Sony for Refusing Refunds on Faulty PlayStation Games

Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe broke Australian consumer law by telling customers they could not get a refund for faulty PlayStation games, Australia's consumer watchdog said in a lawsuit.

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com http://bit.ly/2QATMGU

Redmi Note 7S to go on open sale tonight via Flipkart, Micom: Specs, price and all you need to know

Recently, Redmi launched the Redmi Note 7S (First Impressions) smartphone at a starting price of Rs 10,990 in India. All the variants of the phone will go on open sale at midnight (May 31) through Flipkart and Mi.com. The Redmi Note 7S was previously made available through Flipkart, Mi.com, Mi Home, Mi Store app earlier this month. The handset comes in Onyx Black, Sapphire Blue and Ruby Red colour options. The 3GB RAM and 32GB storage variant is priced at Rs 10,990, and the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage version costs Rs 12,999.

Redmi Note 7S Specifications:

The Redmi Note 7S sports a 6.3-inch Full HD+ display with a waterdrop notch. The display is protected by a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and offers a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels. Under the hood, the phone has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 mobile platform and it is offered in two storage and RAM variants. The phone draws power from a 4,000mAh battery which supports Quick Charge 4. There’s a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and users can also use Face Unlock feature to unlock it.

The imaging responsibilities are on the dual camera setup on the back. The camera module has a 48MP primary sensor and a 5MP secondary sensor with PDAF, EIS and AI Portrait Mode support. The 48MP main camera features a half inch sensor and a lens with f/1.8 aperture. The phone also features a Night Mode option. On the front is a 13MP sensor that supports AI Portrait mode.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2Mi4Ry8

PUBG Mobile ESL tournament offers total prize pool of EUR 120,000, trip to Milan: How to participate, rules, and all you need to know

There seems to be no dearth of PUBG Mobile tournaments. While the PUBG Mobile Club Open is already going on, players now have another chance to try and win some hefty rewards. The Vodafone 5G ESL Mobile Open has been announced and is open to teams from Europe, India and Egypt. In fact, India gets its own completely separate region for qualifier. The tournament is offering players a trip to Milan and a total prize pool of EUR 120,000. Those interested can register here.

Indian players have been grouped into Region B and qualifiers for the same will kick off from June 1. The qualifiers will consist of 80 players, making for a total of 20 teams with four players each. The qualifiers have been divided into three cups, with one team winning each of the cups. Cup 1 kicks off from June 1, Cup 2 starts from July 6, and the final Cup will start from August 3. The games in the qualifiers will support cross play, so participants can play on any device together. However, the finals will be played on 5G-ready Android phones that will be provided by the organisers. Those interested can sign up here.

As far as rules go, all players need to be above 16 years of age. However, the rules note that if a player is below the age of majority in their country, but above 16, they will need a legal guardian to consent to their attendance in the final. 

The Grand Finals will be held on September 29, between 10 teams. The winning team will win EUR 40,000 (approx Rs 31,13,000), while those who will come second and third will win EUR 20,000, EUR 11,000. In fact, the tournament will award prizes all the way till tenth place. 

Besides PUBG Mobile, the tournament will also play host to Asphalt 9: Legends. Players can participate in online qualifiers that will be held from June 10 to September 1. Qualifiers will be held separately for Android and iOS players and you can check out when each of the qualifiers will be held by clicking here. The grand final will be held on September 28, with 16 players participating. The total prize pool for Asphalt 9: Legends is EUR 45,000, with the winner getting EUR 14,000. Like PUBG Mobile, Even those who come 16th will be eligible for a prize.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2WBNM5U

Google restricts marijuana facilitating apps on Play Store

Google has updated its content policy for the Play Store and it has now restricted the functioning of all apps that sell or facilitate the sale of marijuana, regardless of legality. According to the new guidelines, "allowing users to order marijuana through an in-app shopping cart feature, assisting users in arranging delivery or pick up of marijuana, and facilitating the sale of products containing THC" are no more allowed on the platform.

Google has apparently pointed out two popular apps, Weedmaps and Eaze, and restricted their functioning. “These apps simply need to move the shopping cart flow outside of the app itself to be compliant with this new policy. We've been in contact with many of the developers and are working with them to answer any technical questions and help them implement the changes without customer disruption,” Android Police quoted Google as saying.

The move is linked to the company’s efforts towards making the Google Play Store safer for children. Google says that it has taken inputs from users and developers and is evolving its Google Play policies to provide additional protections for children and families. “These policy changes build on our existing efforts to ensure that apps for children have appropriate content, show suitable ads, and handle personally identifiable information correctly; they also reduce the chance that apps not intended for children could unintentionally attract them,” Kanika Sachdeva, Product Manager, Google Play, wrote in a blog post.

As part of the new policy, all developers are now required to complete the new target audience and content section of the Google Play Console. For most developers, the target audience does not include children, but if kids are part of an app’s target audience, Google will ask the developers some follow-up questions.

Meanwhile, Eaze has issued a statement claiming that it connects adults only to licensed, regulated cannabis retailers. “In California, and many other markets across the nation, lawmakers have established clear cannabis laws and regulations. Google’s decision is a disappointing development that only helps the illegal market thrive, but we are confident that Google, Apple, and Facebook will eventually do the right thing and allow legal cannabis companies to do business on their platforms. We regret any inconvenience this may cause for customers and patients,” The Verge quoted a company spokesperson as saying.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2MhFQD9

Samsung Galaxy A10e with Exynos 7885 chipset visits Geekbench

Samsung has refreshed its smartphone strategy to gain the lost market share. Under the new scheme of things, the company is populating every segment with various smartphones. One such phone is the Galaxy A10e that has now appeared on Geekbench. The phone with model number SM-A102U is seen sporting an Exynos 7884 mobile processor, along with 2GB of RAM. The phone is seen running Android 9 Pie. The phone scores 1,163 points in the Single-Core test and 3,581 points in the Multi-Core test on Geekbench.

Interestingly, the Galaxy A10e scores similar points as the Galaxy A10. The Galaxy A10 has the same Exynos 7884 chipset, which is coupled with up to 3GB RAM. In the case of Galaxy S10 Series, we have seen that Samsung has kept the key hardware in Galaxy S10e same as its larger variants. The main difference is in the display size and the number of cameras. The company is likely to repeat this trend with the Galaxy A10e.

The Samsung Galaxy A10e has already been certified by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), Wi-Fi Alliance and was also spotted at the FCC website hinting at an imminent launch. The FCC website showed that the phone will have a battery with model number EB-BA202ABU. Reportedly, this battery pack has a 3000mAh capacity - down from 3,400mAh battery of the Galaxy A10.

The Galaxy A10 has already been launched in India. As mentioned, the entry-level smartphone is powered by the Exynos 7884 chipset, which is coupled with up to 3GB RAM. It features a 6.2-inch HD+ Infinity-V display. In the camera department, the phone comes equipped with a single 13MP rear sensor with a lens having a f/1.9 aperture. On the front the phone has a 5MP selfie shooter.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2HImfHM

Sony Xperia F could be a foldable phone with Samsungs flexible OLED display, 5G connectivity

Sony has ceased its smartphone operations in India, and most other regions, to focus on releasing phones in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Europe. The smartphone maker was rumoured to be dropping its Xperia lineup and shift to a new series. However, a new report out of China suggests that the company might be working on a foldable phone called the Xperia F, which could be launched next year. This phone is said to adopt Samsung’s flexible OLED display technology with a 21:9 aspect ratio, which the company’s current flagship Xperia 1 smartphone features. Additionally, the handset is said to support 5G connectivity and the company is expected to announce the Xperia 2 smartphone next year. 

While there are no specifics about the Xperia F, the report hints at the growing popularity of foldable phones. Samsung and Huawei have already unveiled their respective foldable phones and while things aren’t looking too good for Samsung’s Galaxy Fold, we are yet to come across any initial impressions of the Huawei Mate X. Samsung’s Galaxy Fold is facing harsh criticism as the handset it had sent to reviewers in the US were recalled as their inner display malfunctioned. The company later issued a statement confirming the development, saying that it planned to “announce the release date in the coming weeks.”

Coming back to Sony, the company’s mobile division is being scaled back to reduce losses and drive profits up in the long term. As for the existing Sony smartphone users, the company said that it ceased sales in India in FY18, but will continue to provide customer support operations including after sales support and software updates for existing customers in the country. The company also said that it will be “monitoring the market situation and business feasibility in India”. So, there’s a possibility that the company could resume its operations in India if it finds it viable to do so.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2YXyFl2

Moto Z4 with Snapdragon 675, 4GB RAM appears on Geekbench

The Moto Z4 has been leaked in the past and now the phone has been spotted on the Geekbench website. It scores 2346 points in Single Core and 6248 points in Multi Core benchmarking tests. The phone is seen featuring a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 mobile platform along with 4GB of RAM. The hardware is in line with previous reports, which also claimed that the phone will ship with 6GB RAM. As per the new listing, the Moto Z4 would run on Android 9 Pie.

The development comes a day after media reports said that the phone, which is yet to be announced officially, was sold to a person via Amazon. The customer who bought the phone even posted a hands-on video after he received the device. The Amazon listing not only confirmed the 6.4-inch display, but also gave information about the type of the panel used. It said that the phone features an OLED FullVision display with a 2,340 x 1080 pixel resolution.

The Moto Z4 is likely to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor. In terms of camera, the phone is speculated to sport a single 48MP sensor on the back. On the front is a 25MP sensor housed within a waterdrop notch. The phone is said to pack a 3600mAh battery with 15W TurboCharge support.

Earlier this month, a few images of the Moto Z4 were leaked showing a protruding camera module with a single lens and Motorola’s signature bat-wing logo. On the right edge, the phone is seen sporting a volume rocker and a power button. At the bottom, there is a USB-C port, a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and a microphone. On the top edge, the Z4 has the secondary mic and a SIM card slot along with a speaker.

The images also showed pogo pins on the back, and reportedly, the smartphone will also support the 5G Moto Mod. In phone’s first impression video (mentioned above), the handset is said to have a problem with the fit of the Moto mod. It doesn’t really sit flush with the phone leaving a slight gap between the panel and the mod.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/30VWcVe

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone 700 with eight mics, active noise cancellation announced

Bose has announced its new flagship Noise Cancelling Headphone 700 that succeeds the much lauded QC35 IIs. The new headphone is touted to deliver even better sound quality with the company’s proprietary active equalization, which is said to refrain from boosting lows, mids and highs as this can contribute to listening fatigue over time. The device should also be able to pick up conversations easily with the help of four microphones, two of which are said to isolate a user’s speech while the other two work on detecting and reducing ambient noise. In addition to the new NC Headphone 700, Bose has also laid out its roadmap that consists of the Bose Earbuds 500 which launches later this year, and the Noise Cancelling Earbuds 700 which will be revealed next year. 

The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone 700 is priced at $399 (Rs 27,824 approx) and will go on sale from May 30 in the US. The company has not announced the pricing of the Bose Earbuds 500 and the Noise Cancelling Earbuds 700. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphone 700 comes with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa integration, and features support for Siri as well. A software update is also available for the device that enables wake word access to invoke Alexa so that one can use voice command to call up the digital assistant. 

The headphone is said to improve on noise cancellation with better circuitry and a new digital signal processing system, which is said to remove the familiar hissing noise when ANC is on. The device will also offer 11 different intensity levels of noise cancellation to choose from. There’s also a ‘full-transparency experience’ that will be available under Conversation Mode and is touted to let ambient sounds pass-through the device’s earcups completely. 

The new Bose flagship headphone features a new design that somewhat resembles the Sony WH-1000XM3. It uses stainless-steel in its construction and is said to feature fewer “visible screws, seams, and joints than the industry standard.” Bose has finally added touch based controls this time that will enable users to play/pause music, control volume, skip tracks and more. There are three physical buttons as well, one for powering the device on and off, another to call up a set digital assistant and one for accessing noise cancellation levels. Bose claims that the headphones will deliver 20 hours of battery life.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2W0uJ0T

World Cup with Mi TV Days: Xiaomi announces 30-day keep or exchange offer on Mi TVs

As the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 starts in England and Wales, Xiaomi has announced new offers on a select range of Mi TVs on Flipkart. The company has started “World Cup with Mi TV Days” campaign and has announced a 30-day keep or exchange offer on Mi TVs. Under this offer customers can purchase a television from Flipkart and if they don’t like it, they can exchange it for 90 percent of its value in 30 days.

The offer is only available for two days: May 30 and May 31. To avail the offer, customers first have to choose the TV they wish to purchase, and check for ‘30 day keep or exchange plan’. Once selected, click on ‘buy now’ and complete the purchase. Following is a list of TVs that are covered under this offer.

Deals on Xiaomi Mi TVs:

Mi LED Smart TV 4A Pro (43-inch) (Buy here): Xiaomi is offering the full HD smart TV for Rs 22,999, down from the original price of Rs 25,999. The television comes with AndroidTV and supports Google voice search. Users can also get Rs 1000 Off on all prepaid transactions. The TV delivers 20W speaker output, and features a Full HD display panel with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution.

Mi 4A Pro HD Android TV (32-inch) (Buy Here): The smart TV is available for Rs 12,999 with a discount of Rs 2,000. Similar to the 43-inch model, the HD ready 32-inch variant also delivers an output of 20W and sports a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.

Mi LED Smart TV 4A Pro (49-inch) (Buy Here): Largest of the 4A series, the television is now available for Rs 29,999, down Rs 3,000 from its original price of Rs 32,999. It sports a Full HD panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels and comes with HDR10 support. The TV delivers the same 20W speaker output as models mentioned above. Thanks to Xiaomi’s Patchwall OS, users can access over 700,000 hours of content on the TV.

Mi 4X Pro (55-inch) (Buy Here): The smart TV with 4K HDR screen is available for Rs 39,999 with a massive discount of Rs 10,999. It features a 10-bit panel with HDR10 support and offers a 3840 x 2160 pixel resolution. The TV is equipped with 2GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, and features Xiaomi’s PatchWall OS.

Mi 4 Pro (55-inch) (Buy Here): The 4K Smart TV is priced at Rs 47,999, down from its previous price of Rs 54,999. It is based on AndroidTV OS and supports the Bluetooth 4.2. The speakers deliver a 16W output, and its display offers a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2VW9zB2

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

Samsung Galaxy M40 officially revealed ahead of June 11 launch, will be available via Amazon

Samsung has revealed that it will soon launch its Galaxy M40 smartphone in India on June 11, at 6 PM. Amazon is hosting a dedicated microsite for the device, more or less confirming that it will go on sale via the online retailer. Ahead of the official launch, the company decided to unveil the smartphone, which comes soon after its press renders were leaked online. Samsung’s ‘Notify Me’ page for the Galaxy M40 shows off the phone’s design in its entirety. The handset can be seen featuring an Infinity-O display, where the punch hole houses the front camera on the top left of the screen. 

The rear panel is also shown off and while it’s not clear whether the rear panel is plastic or glass, there surely are three cameras present. The triple-rear camera module is on the upper left corner, and is vertically aligned. There’s a flash beneath the camera setup and a fingerprint sensor can also be seen beside it. Going by the image, the phone sports a design similar to the Galaxy M40, except for the punch hole display that offers a screen with reduced bezels. The rear panel is also similar to the one we have seen on the Galaxy M30. 

Amazon’s listing of the Samsung Galaxy M40 also reveals some more details about the handset. It will be powered by a Snapdragon 6 series platform, which is expected to be the Snapdragon 675. The handset is reported to feature a 32MP sensor, in one of the three rear cameras, and could offer up to 128GB of internal storage. It could be backed by a large 5000mAh battery and is expected to run on Android 9 Pie out-of-the-box. As mentioned, they will go on sale via Amazon in the country. 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2WeoHi1

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

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

Death Stranding Release Date Set for November 8, Pre-Orders Go Live and Editions Detailed

Death Stranding has finally been confirmed to release on November 8, and pre-orders for the game have now gone live with a total of four editions in tow.

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com http://bit.ly/2EHVMbF

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