Apple updates tvOS with PlayStation and Xbox controller support, watchOS 6 gets new faces, health apps

Apple’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is finally here and the company has started the proceedings of this four-day long event by announcing updates to the software that runs its AppleTV product, the tvOS. While talking on the stage at the  San Jose McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, California, company CEO Tim Cook introduced a redesigned Home screen, multi-user support, Apple Music on tvOS, and support for PlayStation and Xbox controllers, among other new features. The company also introduced watchOS with new watch faces, App Store support and new health-related fucntionalities.

tvOS 13:

On the stage, Cook said that the redesigned home screen of the tvOS 13 will now offer full-screen content previews to users. tvOS 13 also adds multi-user support that will let multiple members of a family to watch their favourite shows. There is a redesigned Control Center which is responsible for user-switching duties. The OS will offer personalised recommendations on all the content to each individual user on the basis of their watching trends.

“That’s the new tvOS: it’s more personal and more entertaining than ever. We completely redesigned the home screen, making Apple TV come to life from the moment that you turn it on, with full-screen previews of the best TV shows and newly released movies,” Cook said.

Further, the company has added the Apple Music on tvOS that will come with lyrics support. So, when a song is playing on your TV, you can read the lyrics on the screen and sing along your favourite singer. Apple also made a gaming-related announcement. The company said that when the tvOS 13 launches later this year, it will add support for Xbox One and PlayStation DualShock game controllers. It already supports Bluetooth controllers. Finally, Apple announced that it partnered with BBC’s natural history unit to shoot 4K HDR underwater footage for new screensavers.

The update builds on tvOS 12.3 that Apple released last month. The redesigned Apple TV app enabled users to see the new app on their iPhones and iPads as well. In the US, the app includes access to Apple TV channels like HBO, Starz, SHOWTIME, Smithsonian Channel, EPIX, Tastemade and new services like MTV Hits. In India, the Apple TV app features films from Hollywood, Bollywood, and other regional languages for rent and purchase.

watchOS 6:

At WWDC 2019, Apple introduced watchOS 6 update that takes a step forward in making the Apple Watch an independent device. The company has brought functionalities like App Store, voice memos, Books app for listening to audio books and Calculator with tip calculator on the wearable. The update also brings a bunch of new watch faces which include a sundial-styled Solar analog watch, an analog option called Modular Compact, an analog mix of Roman and Arabic numerals called California, new extra-large digital options, and Gradient.

As mentioned, users can now install App Store app directly on the watch. In addition, users will be able to download Watch software without relying on an iPhone. Apple also added Activity Trends to the watch that will enable users to keep a tab on their activity and workouts. In case, the regular activity trend falls below average, the app will provide coaching to normalise the activity. There is an all new Noise app that will let users check ambient noise levels. In the health department, the watchOS6 offers a bunch of additions, including a Dose feature to provide pill reminders and Cycle Tracking, which will let women track menstrual cycles. The app is introduced on both watchOS and iOS. The company also announced “summer” bands, including a Pride watch band that matches a Pride watch face.

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PUBG Mobile: Where to find the Godzilla-themed easter eggs

By now, each and every PUBG Mobile players may know that the developers have announced a partnership with the movie Godzilla: King of the Monsters. The partnership suggests that there might be some Godzilla-themed event coming to the game. As with the partnership of Resident Evil, the developers have started teasing the event in the form of little nods and easter eggs scattered through the various maps. These include murals as well as signs of Godzilla himself. 

 

A giant monster is coming to take over the battlefield!#PUBGM #GodzillaMovie pic.twitter.com/Bise6df1kb

— PUBG MOBILE (@PUBGMOBILE) June 3, 2019

 

If you haven’t got a chance to check these out yet, here’s a quick guide on how you can see them for yourself. 

Erangel

Erangel has two sets of Godzilla easter eggs. The first is on the spawn island itself. Head over to the eastern section of the map and look off into the horizon on the left side of the crashed aeroplane. You should see Godzilla’s spikes looking in the water. You can jump into the water and dive just below the water to get a better look at them.

The second easter egg is located just south of the Sosnovka Military Base, just where the beach begins. Towards the eastern side of the beach, you’ll come across something which resembles the ground being dug up. However, clamber to the top and you’ll realise that its actually a giant footprint. Possibly that of Godzilla himself. 

Miramar

Miramar is packed with as many as four easter eggs. The first is located smack-dab in the middle of Los Leones. Head over to the construction site and you should come across a fairly large mural. The three heads suggest that it is possibly of King Ghidorah, Godzilla’s arch nemesis.

Two murals are found pretty close to each other. Both are located East of Impala, on the southern island. The first is located on the side of a building and appears to be of Mothra, a monster who is usually allied to Godzilla. The second is located northeast of this,  just around the corner. This one depicts Godzilla himself.

The final mural is located on the starting island, on the Prison itself and is located on the roof of the largest structure. However, in order to see this mural, you will have to parachute into the roof as there is no direct access and it is painted on the ground. It is the second Mothra mural, which you can also investigate. 

It is not yet known how exactly Godzilla would feature in PUBG Mobile. Back in January this year, PUBG Mobile players in China got to fight monsters as part of a Chinese New Year event. It is possible that we will get to see something along the same lines. However, we should have more information about the event tomorrow.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2QG2tzG

Asus TUF Gaming FX705DT, TUF Gaming FX505DT Laptops Launched in India

ASUS has unveiled its new TUF gaming laptops FX505DT and FX705DT with the latest AMD Ryzen processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX GPUs with up to 120Hz IPS-level NanoEdge display.

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Exclusive: Paytm will launch SIM-card enabled Soundbox to allow app-less transactions

Paytm is now synonymous with digital transactions in India. The fintech app rose to popularity during the demonetisation phase in 2016 and since then, it has grown into becoming a full-fledged digital payments bank along with offering a host of services to merchants, consumers and more. For instance, the company integrated BHIM UPI in its platform as another way of paying for things via Paytm. Then there’s the postpaid service called Paytm Money which allows you to borrow funds from the company to buy groceries, order food, etc. However, the system of digital payments is still far from perfect.

Often when you’re trying to pay via your smartphone, there is a long, elaborate conversation with the retailer to share the QR code which you first scan and then wait till the payment is confirmed and the retailer gets a message. The SMS often doesn’t come instantly and there’s an awkward silence in the time between.

According to our sources, Paytm is looking to smoothen the payment process with a new smart device. Called the ‘Soundbox’, it’s a speaker with a SIM card slot attached that will act as a voice-activated POS (point-of-sale) machine for the retailer. The SoundBox will basically alert the retailer the payment is complete, instead of the retailer having to wait for an SMS on their smartphone. There could be more features to it, but as of now, it will only be used for accepting payments. A user will still have to scan the QR code on this device to make the payment. 

Furthermore, the device will only come with a speaker and there won’t be a camera on it. It is powered by the MediaTek MT6261 SoC that’s made specially for IoT devices. It will have 4G connectivity and will be connected to the internet to coordinate online payments on behalf of the retailer.

“Paytm has been working on a solution which will be the Paytm SoundBox. This device is a smart device to make transactions easier. If today we are doing a Paytm transaction, probably it’s easy to see the confirmation message, but when we go to the retail outlets, it becomes difficult for the retailer to keep a track of all incoming transactions,” the source told us.

Essentially, with the box installed, retailers will not require another smartphone to accept Paytm transactions. Now we don’t know the exact release date of the device, but Paytm has already showcased the use-case scenario and the final design of the box in a video on YouTube. We have reached out to Paytm to confirm the launch. The story will be updated as and when the company responds.

Whether the device will have a big impact on the way digital transactions are made is unknown, but we do expect to see these boxes rolling out to shops soon. The device will be issued to retailers for a subscription fee, just like how Paytm gives retailers card-swiping machines for a premium. It will be interesting to see how the device functions in reality. Do we really want the amount paid announced on a speaker for all to hear? 

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2F1us8v

Redmi K20 to retain its name in India, will not be re-branded as Poco F2

Xiaomi has put the rumours regarding the name of the Redmi K20 in India to rest. Previously, it was reported that company’s sub-brand Redmi might launch the phone as Poco F2 in the country, but now, Manu Kumar Jain, Managing Director Xiaomi India and Global Vice President, has confirmed that the phone will be called the Redmi K20 in India as well. He shared a bunch of images on Twitter to confirm the development.

The images shared by Jain not only confirmed that the phone will be called the Redmi K20, but they also took a dig at the recently-launched OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro smartphones. All the Redmi K20 hoardings were placed alongside the OnePlus 7 Pro ads at various locations in India. The promos have a neat wordplay, claiming the phone to be “Starkly Superior To The Latest One.”

"Starkly superior to the latest one!" +1 if you liked these punny ads! #RedmiK20 and #RedmiK20Pro coming soon! The #FlagshipKiller 2.0 Have you noticed it yet? If yes, take a selfie and share it with me. #Xiaomi #Redmi pic.twitter.com/eFeQbw2uIq

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) 2 June 2019

If you don’t know, OnePlus has roped-in Robert Downey Jr. as the brand ambassador and he has been seen promoting the OnePlus 7 Pro. The wordplay in Redmi K20 ads makes the dig obvious as it uses “Starkly” to highlight Downey’s role as Tony Stark in Marvel movies. The font of the word “One” is the same as the one in the OnePlus logo. Also, there is a mention of “+1” where the top executive is asking to like and share his tweet.

Redmi K20 Pro Specifications:

The Redmi K20 Pro features a Full HD+ 6.39-inch Super AMOLED display which is protected by Gorilla Glass 6. 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 which is claimed to deliver an enhanced gaming experience. The phone draws power from a 4000mAh battery, which supports 27W fast charging.

In terms of camera, the phone sports a vertically stacked triple camera setup on the back. 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 can record slow-motion video at up to 960fps videos. The pop-up selfie camera with 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.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2Xj9ngQ

Huawei Mate 30 phones reportedlly launching on September 22 with Kirin 985 SoC and HongMeng OS

Huawei has been facing problems ever since it was placed on the US “Entity List.”  However, the company is reportedly gearing up to announce its upcoming flagship smartphone, the Mate 30 Pro. As per a report by the tipster called Teme, the smartphone maker could announce its new Mate 30 series of handsets on September 22 and it is touted to launch running on Kirin 985 SoC, which is yet to be announced. The handset might also run on Hongmeng OS in China but the tipster isn't sure about what OS the phone’s global version could be launched running on. 

It’s unclear at the moment whether upcoming Huawei phones will feature Android OS or not. The Chinese smartphone maker is currently on a 90 day permit day to roll out software updates for its existing phones. If the company manages to patch things up with the US soon, it could again start using Android OS on its phones with full support from Google. However, in case that doesn’t happen, the company has been in preparation to announce its own OS this fall, which is internally called HongMeng OS and is rumoured to be named Ark OS for the masses. 

As for the Huawei Mate 30 Pro, the smartphone is reported to feature a quad rear camera setup. Some images of the handset were leaked online, which seemed more like fan-made renders as the front display design was inconsistent. In any case, the handset is reported to come equipped with a massive 6.7-inch display supplied by BOE and it could sport an in-display fingerprint sensor as well. The Mate 30 Pro could feature a 4200mAh battery that supports 55W quick charging tech.

The Huawei Mate 30 Pro could be announced running on HiSilicon Kirin 985 processor with Balong 5000 chip. The handset will reportedly support only 4G and 5G networks but this doesn’t gel well with the fact that Huawei announced that the Balong 5000 supports 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G on a single chip. The HiSilicon Kirin 985 chipset is said to be manufactured with a 5G modem, using Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company's (TSMC's) new 7nm fabrication process. 

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

Oppo, Xiaomi show off prototype under-display camera

Pop-up mechanism and punch-hole design are some of the different ways companies are achieving an edge-to-edge display. There have been reports which pointed out that an under-display camera technology will weed out the hindrance of adding a movable part or a dark spot on the panel. Now, Oppo and Xiaomi have shown what they call as an early breakthrough in this vertical by introducing an under display camera tech.

In his Weibo post earlier today, Oppo Vice President Brian Shen shared a short video clip of a notch-free smartphone prototype. The same clip was later shared by Oppo’s official Twitter handle. In the video, there is no visible camera (no punch hole or pop-up mechanism). The user launches the camera app, and the screen showed a live view of the room's ceiling. To prove that the camera is placed under the display, the demonstrator hovers a finger over the area where the camera is placed.

For those seeking the perfect, notchless smartphone screen experience – prepare to be amazed. You are taking a very first look at our under-display selfie camera technology. RT! pic.twitter.com/FrqB6RiJaY

— OPPO (@oppo) 3 June 2019

In a follow-up post, Shen said that the technology is still in its early days. “At this stage, it's difficult for under-display cameras to match the same results as normal cameras, there's bound to be some loss in optical quality. But, no new technology jumps to perfection right away,” Shen said.

Similarly, Xiaomi President Lin Bin shared a clip in which an under-screen camera was seen on a Mi 9 prototype. Xiaomi reportedly said that this display technology is their “independent intellectual property,” which means that its tech is different from the one showcased by Oppo.

Oppo was one of the first companies that tested the 5x dual-camera zoom with periscope-style lens mechanism. The company also introduced a pop-up mechanism in Oppo Find X just after Vivo showcased the same concept in Vivo Nex. Oppo successfully made the world’s first multiparty video call on WeChat using a 5G network. The company said that engineers from six Oppo R&D centres situated in different parts of the world participated in the video call using popular Chinese app WeChat.

from Latest Technology News http://bit.ly/2WbD4ie