PUBG Mobile Season 8 Royale Pass Leak Reveals Upcoming Skins, New Emotes, and More

Ahead of PUBG Season 8’s arrival, details of the next season’s Royale Pass and new items such as item skins, emotes, and more have surfaced online.

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Google Camera update to bring Night Sight on quick access, new features spotted

Google is presumably busy in developing the next iteration of the Android OS, but this is not stopping the company from refining the apps that are already available to the masses. The most talked about feature of the Pixel series of phones is the camera and the software that powers the hardware. With Pixel 3, Google introduced a mode called Night Sight that quickly set the bar in low-light photography. Given its popularity, it seems that Google is working to bring the mode to the Google Camera app’s main interface.

In the current version of the app (version 6.2), Night Sight can be accessed from the “More” tab in the quick access list. Tech news platform 9to5google now reports that the next major update of the app (version 6.3) will have the mode on the quick access list. The company has reportedly replaced the “Panorama” mode with Night Sight, so that users don’t have to perform an extra step to find the mode in the “More” tab. 

In addition to this development, Google is reportedly working on a feature called “McFly” mode. Judging by the code found by 9to5google, it seems that the mode will be used to record videos meant to be played in reverse. Further, it is possible that this mode might not be called “McFly”. This speculation is based on previous instances when, for example, “Cheetah mode” eventually became “Timelapse.”

9to5google says that Google Camera 6.3 should be rolling out via the Play Store in the coming weeks, or may arrive with the launch of Android Q. It is possible that these features may be introduced in Pixel 4. The tech giant has already revealed the rear camera setup of the phone and it is obvious from the image that the company is upping its game of computational photography with the help of more diverse hardware this time around. 

Those who cannot wait to test the new interface can download the update from this link.

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Budget 2019 and what is means for Digital India, Connectivity, Space Exploration, Electric Vehicles, Technology Retail and more

Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2019 today, the maiden budget for the second Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Budget, in its entirety, presented a strong focus on last mile connectivity, adoption of electric vehicles, digital growth, technology skill building, ease of investments for tech companies, enhanced efforts India’s space exploration programme, expanding the scope of scientific research in India, promoting digital payments, tax benefits on semiconductor, laptop and battery manufacturing in India, and duty exemptions for certain electronic components as well as raw materials. 

"From a technology sector perspective, focus on emerging new technologies in the form of artificial intelligence, data science, big data, internet of things, would revitalise technology companies. Connectivity, infrastructure, media, digital technology coupled with ease of living, ease of doing business and digital literacy is focus of the government," said Tapati Ghose, Partner, Deloitte India.

Some of the most important announcements in Budget 2019 emerged in the space of renewable energy, water conservation, energy efficient transportation and power management, making it evident that the government is thinking seriously on the lines of sustainable management of natural resources. 

All of these announcements are aimed at promoting the country’s digital economy and have been receiving extremely positive reactions from stakeholders in India’s technology and technology-assisted industries. The aim of the government for this fiscal year is to build a $5 trillion economy, with ever increasing focus on the use and development of technological means in various industries across the country. Here’s how the Union Budget of 2019 will impact the growth of the technology sector in India and what experts in the field have to say.   

Speeding up Electric Vehicle adoption

Just last month, we heard the Niti Ayog propose the sale of only electric vehicles (EVs) in India by 2030. With increasing levels of pollution and depleting resources, looks like the government has taken good note of the importance EV adoption in India. To encourage the same the FM has proposed incentives for buying electric vehicles in the form of Income tax deduction of Rs 1.5 Lakhs on interest paid for loans taken to purchase EVs, amounting to benefits of Rs 2.5 Lakhs over the loan period for anyone who takes a load to purchase an electric vehicle. The Budget also proposes reduction of GST on EVs from current 12 percent to 5 percent. Further, it has also been proposed that certain components and parts used in EV manufacturing be exempted from custom duty. 

“Income tax deduction on loans for EV purchase is an extremely welcome move by the new Finance Ministry. EVs are pricier than usual vehicles as initial cost, hence this will boost adoption,” commented Akshay Singhal, Founder, Log 9 materials, at Nanotechnology company.

Further, the government will fund the Inclusion of solar storage batteries and EV charging infrastructure in the country.

"I think the budget has clearly indicated the positive intent of the government in pushing the e-mobility revolution in India. The question of when is not that important as the how . The ‘how’ is now getting addressed. Consumer adoption of this technology not only requires education and mindshift but also an attractive and feasible overall proposition. I think with the govt proposing lowering of gst and providing deduction of tax on interest on loans, outlay for infrastructure for battery charging stations, push towards make in India initiative is just the kick start measures required," said Nishchal Chaudhary, Founder & CEO, BattRE electric mobility.

Easing the way for single brand retail by technology companies

Apple, amongst most other tech companies, must be rejoicing as the 2019 Budget has proposed easing of local sourcing norms in FDI for single brand retail sector. Apple has been lobbying for ease of restrictions and duties in order to set up its retail stores in India and this seems to have come at the right time for the company. “I think this is a good move which will help these companies to scale their retail operations quickly. This will bring more investments in the country. Yes, it is a big boost for Apple which is looking to expand in India and retail expansion is a strategic move which has already been delayed by a couple of years. If local sourcing is competitive it will happen automatically. Xiaomi, Apple, OnePlus, Samsung, OPPO and Vivo can now expedite their retail operations,” said Tarun Pathak, Associate Director, Counterpoint Technology Market Research.

“While It would depend on the exact details of the relaxation of sourcing norms the announcement is clearly laying out the carpet once again for the global single brand retail companies in India . Many of these companies were sitting on the border in a dilemma to invest or not in the Indian market on account of difficulty in meeting these sourcing conditions,” commented Anil Talreja, Partner, Deloitte India.

The FM also said that while India’s FDI inflows remained strong at $54.37 billion, a 6 percent YoY growth, there is more room to increase investments in the media, aviation and animation industries. 

Boosting scientific education and skill building 

During her budget speech, the FM said that Indian educational institutions have come a long way in the past five years. From no single Indian institute in the top 200 universities worldwide 5 years ago, we now have 3 institutions in the top 200 rankings globally. The Budget has stressed on greater focus in higher education and scientific research in the country. A National Research Foundation will be created to assimilate research grants given by various Ministries. The govt hopes to strengthen India’s scientific research ecosystem. 

Further, it has been proposed that 10 million individuals will be trained in industry relevant skilss such as artificial intelligence, robotics, big data, VR and others to address the severe skill shortage felt by IT companies.

“These are the building blocks and a very integral part of the overall 5G ecosystem when it happens. We need to invest in these technologies to leverage their full potential when the time comes. AI can help to overcome a lot of disabilities attached to different business segment and other areas. With strong software talent pool, India can build strong research in these areas,” noted Counterpoint Research.

”I’m delighted to hear the Government will be working towards improving our youth skill levels in AI, Big Data, IoT along with Robotics. These skills of the future will ensure that our youth are prepared and able to secure jobs both in the country and abroad. It’s a commendable step helping align education with industry requirements,” said Tarun Bhalla, Founder & CEO, Avishkaar, a Maker space and DIY Robotics company.

New highs for Space exploration

Commending India’s space programmes like Chandrayaan-2 and Gaganyaan, the Finance Minister said, “Time has come to harness this ability commercially.” Called, ‘New Space India Limited’, the government has incorporated a public sector enterprise with an aim to commercialise and market ISRO’s space products as well as assist in the transfer of technologies. “India has emerged a major space power,” said the FM, and the new company will help take India’s space programmes to new heights. 

“It is encouraging to see Budget 2019 taking cognizance of the growing opportunities in the space domain and also talking about increasing India’s global footprint in this sector. This is important because the Indian satellite communications sector is perhaps the only industry still stuck in the 2G era and suffers chronic capacity shortage resulting in users continuing to pay much higher than global rates. There is a surge of investment and innovation in the space sector globally driven by the private sector but in India the private sector is locked out and a huge investment and employment opportunity is being lost,” said Pranav Roach, President, Hughes Network Systems India.

Realisation of Bharat Net 

The Government’s Bharat Net initiative to provide high-speed broadband connectivity to all Panchayats and local bodies by the end of 2019 will be sped up under the Universal Service Obligation Fund. The FM said that under the Pradhan Mantri Grameen Digital programme, 2 crore Indians have been made digitally literate. 

Tax benefits for Electronic Manufacturing

The 2019 Budget proposes tax benefits for electronic manufacturing in India. The government envisions mega manufacturing plants for Semiconductors, Lithium-ion batteries, Laptops, Electric Vehicles and more. Tax incentives will be provided to these manufacturers. “Considering the large consumer base, we envision india as a global hub of manufacturing electric vehicles, said Sitharaman. 

Encouraging digital payments

To promote digital payments, and discourage business payments in cash, the FM has proposed to levy TDS of 2% on cash withdrawals exceeding 1 crore in a year from a bank account. The FM says that variaous digital payment instruments such as BHIM UPI, UPI QR Codes, NEFT, RTGS can be used to promote a cashless economy. Businesses with an annual turnover of Rs 50 Crore will have to use these modes of payments, and no charges will be levied on the merchants or customers. RBI and banks will absorb these costs, the FM said.

Duty increase/decrease

The FM has proposed in the Union Budget 2019 that customs duty on Auto parts, optical fibre cables, CCTV cameras, IP cameras and digital video recorders be increased. The exemption for the import of certain electronic components is now being withdrawn in light of them being manufactured in India. In the same breath, the FM said that custom duties are being reduced on CRGO sheets, amorphous alloy ribbon, ethylene di-chloride, propylene oxide, cobalt matte, naphtha, wool fibres, inputs for manufacture of artificial kidney and disposable sterilised dialyser, and fuels for nuclear power plants. Duty has also been reduced on capital goods required for manufacturing electronic goods. 

As mentioned before, the Finance Minister said that exemption on certain parts of electric vehicles will be provided to boost EV manufacturing in India.

Calling upon the need for Defence modernisation, the FM proposed that import of defence equipment is being exempted from basic customs duty

Defence sector needs modernization. Basic the import of defence equipment is being exempted from basic customs duty: FM

Focus on Renewable Energy and sustainability

The FM said that the government will be establishing necessary infrastructure for environment friendly public transport. The government envisions the use of rivers for cargo transportation, which will also help decongest roads and railways. In addition to the multimodal terminal at Varanasi, which became functional in 2018, two more terminals at Sahibganj and Haldia, will be completed to create a network on inland waterways.

The FM also proposed “One nation, one grid” for providing affordable power to states. The government will also make available a blueprint for gas grids and water grids in this year.

“Water for all Indians is a priority’” said the FM. In lieu of achieving this goal, the Jal Jeevan Mission was announced to provide water to every household by 2024. To promote sustainability,  wasted water will be reused for agriculture. The FM proposed sustainable water supply management across the country. She said that the govt has identified 1592 blocks across the country which are critical critical and over exploited, spread across 256 districts, for the Jal Shakti Abhiyan. The govt will explore possibility for allocating sufficient budget for the same.

Further, the FM announced that 1.25 Lakh Kilometers of roads will be upgraded and that green technology will be used to achieve this goal. Waste plastic will be used to build roads, reducing the carbon footprint.

To help scale the rural agriculture industry, the government will come up with 20 technology business incubators to help develop 75000 skilled worked in agro industry.

The Swachh Bharat Mission will expand to now deal with solid waste management.

More scavenging machines and robots will be deployed to save manual scavengers their dignity. 

Connectivity all the way

The govt is massively pushing to all forms of physical & other connectivity. 

New metro rail projects have been approved during 2018-19. These will be sped up. Also, during 2019, 210km of metro lines have been operationalised.

The PM had announced a National Mobility Card in March this year. This cared will soon be introduced and will enable multi transport payments across the country. The card will run on RuPay and allow commuters to pay bus charges, parking charges, and more.

Ease of living assisted by technology

The FM stressed upon the philosophy of “Minimum government, maximum governance”.

She announced a number of developments aimed at greater ease of living for citizens. She said that the mass scaling up of LED bulbs was taken up by the govt, resulting in massive replacement of incandescent bulbs and CFLs. 35 crore LED bulbs have been distributed under government's Ujala Yojna, resulting in annual cost saving Rs 18,341 crore. “India is going to be free of incandescent bulbs and CFL,” she added. 

The government will now ook to promote solar stoves and battery chargers. 

Railway station modernisation will be launched this year.

A digital repository of folk songs, lifestyle, art, dances and other anthropological details of Indian tribes will be built and added to over time.

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Xiaomi Mi Days sale: Discounts on Redmi 7, Redmi 6 Pro, Mi LED TV 4C, Mi earphones, and more

The Xiaomi Mi Days are back on both Flipkart and Amazon India. The sale sees a price cut in many of the Mi products. It is not limited to mobile phones, but also extends to other products like the Mi power banks, bands, TVs, and earphones as well. The Mi Days sale will be live for five days, July 5 to 9. Also, you can get a 5-percent instant discount with an HSBC Cashback card. We have listed down some of the best deals available in the sale for you:

Redmi 7 (Buy here)

The Redmi 7 is available for a discount of 18 percent, at a starting price of Rs 7,999. You can also exchange your old phone for up to Rs 7,150. The phone packs a Snapdragon 632 processor, Adreno 506 along with a 4000mAh battery. It sports a 12MP + 2MP dual camera setup on the rear and am 8MP front camera. The HD display is of 19:9 aspect ratio and features a 6.26 inch screen with notch.

Redmi 6 (Buy here)

This phone is available for a discount of 22 percent. There’s also an exchange available. You can exchange your old phone for up to Rs 6,150. At Rs 6,999, the Redmi 6 sports a 12MP+5MP dual camera setup at the back and a 5MP selfie shooter. It packs a 2GHz Mediatek P22 Octa-core processor with a 3000mAh battery. The 5.45 inch screen has a resolution of 1440x720 pixels. 

Redmi 6 Pro (Buy here)

The elder sibling of the Redmi 6 is available at a discount of 26 percent, for Rs 9,999. The Redmi 6 Pro features a 5.84 inch display with 432 ppi pixel density. It packs a Snapdragon 635 with a 4000mAh battery. On the camera front, it sports a 12MP+5MP dual rear camera setup and a 5MP selfie shooter. Also, you can avail up to Rs 8,750 off for the exchange of your old phone.

MI Earphones Basic with Mic (Buy here)

The affordable Mi earphones are now much more affordable. They are available at a discount of Rs 200. The selling price is Rs 399 for five days. The Mi Earphones Basic sports a tangle-free cable, ultra-deep bass, and has a mic and play/pause button. You can also avail a flat Rs 50 back cashback on Amazon Pay UPI.

Mi Sports Bluetooth Wireless Earphones (Buy here)

These earphones are available for a discount of Rs 300. The pair of wireless earphones is selling for Rs 1,499. According to the company, it can play music for up to 9 hours on a single charge. Also, it is IPX4 sweat-proof and splash-proof and has support for voice assistants. 

Mi 10000mAH Li-Polymer Power Bank 2i (Buy here)

The 10000mAh power bank from Mi is available at 25 percent off. It is selling at Rs 899. The Mi Power Bank 2i features dual USB output, two-way Quick Charge, and has a body made of aluminium alloy. There’s also an option of receiving a cashback of Rs 50 on Amazon Pay UPI.

Mi Band - HRX Edition (Buy here)

The Mi Band - HRX edition is available at a discount of 28 percent and is selling for Rs 1,299. The band is IP67 certified for water resistance. It has a 0.42 inch OLED display and can be connected to your smartphone with Bluetooth 4.0. Also, according to the company, it has a standby time of 23 days.

Mi LED TV 4C PRO 80 cm (32) HD Ready Android TV (Buy here)

The cheapest Xiaomi Android TV is available for a discount of 13 percent. During the sale, it is selling for Rs 12,999. The TV features a 32 inch HD ready (1366x768) display with a refresh rate of 60Hz. It has Chromecast built-in and three HDMI and two USB ports as well. 

Mi Soundbar 8 Speaker Drivers (Buy here)

The Mi Soundar is selling at Rs 4,999, at a discount of Rs 1,000. It features 8 sound drivers and S/PDIF, optical, aux-in and Bluetooth connections. You can connect it with any device that has Bluetooth 4.2+.

Mi LED Wi-Fi 10W Smart Bulb (Buy here)

The Mi smart bulb is now down from Rs 1,499 to Rs 1,299. The company claims it has 11 years of life and 16 million colours. It can be control via the mobile app or through voice via Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

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Asus ROG Phone 2 Launch Set for July 23, Features 120Hz Display

Asus has started sending out invites for the launch of the ROG Phone 2, which is set to be unveiled on July 23 in China.

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Motorola P50 with 63-inch 21:9 display, 25MP punch-hole front camera launched: Price, specs and more

Motorola launched its Motorola One vision smartphone in India last month and the handset has been rebranded for launch as the Motorola P50 in China. In China, the handset will be available in a single memory/storage variant and, unlike the Android One version that runs on stock Android 9 Pie in India, the handset runs on ZUI in China. The smartphone manufacturer usually reserves the ‘P’ series line-up for China and it is unlikely that the new Motorola P50 will be announced in other regions with the same moniker. The handset is currently up for pre-registration in China and will go on sale from July 20. 

Motorola P50 specifications

Since the Motorola P50 is basically a rebranded version of Motorola One Vision, there are no external or hardware changes to the phone. It comes equipped with a 6.3-inch LTPS IPS LCD panel that has a resolution of 1080 x 2520 pixels. It sports a tall 21:9 ratio CinemaVision screen as well, same as the Motorola One Vision. The handset sports a punch-hole front camera, which houses a 25MP sensor with quad-pixel technology, which is also used in the rear primary camera. Equipped with a glass back and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, the device supports face unlock as well. 

The Motorola P50 also runs on the Octa-core Samsung Exynos 9609 processor and comes in one variant with 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage. On the back is a dual camera setup that consists of a 48MP primary sensor that sports a 1.6µm-pixel pitch and an f/1.7 aperture. It is a 1/2.25-inch quad-pixel sensor that combines four pixels into one large pixel to deliver better images. There’s also a 5MP secondary depth-sensing camera. The phone is backed by a 3500mAh battery that comes with 15W fast charging support.

Motorola P50 Price 

The Motorola P50 costs CNY2,499 (Rs 24,869 approx) for the 6GB RAM +128GB storage model. It will be available in Brown and Sapphire Gradient colours in China.

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Redmi K20, K20 Pro to be launched on July 17 in India

A few days after Manu Kumar Jain, Xiaomi Global Vice President and Xiaomi India Managing Director, vaguely hinted at the launch dates of the Redmi flagship K20 Pro and the mid-range device, the K20, the company has now confirmed the launch date of these handsets. Xiaomi has sent out invites for an event on July 17 in New Delhi, which will see the unveiling of these phones. The company has been marketing the Redmi K20 Pro as the flagship killer and has been taking pot-shots at its main competitor, the OnePlus 7 Pro.

On June 18, Xiaomi’s spin-off brand Redmi teased the Redmi K20 Pro Explorer programme, and Jain hinted at the launch by saying that the phones would be launched in four weeks. We strictly went by the information, and guessed that the launch could happen on July 17. The company has already launched these phones in China and recently announced the Redmi K20 Pro Avengers Limited Edition in its home country.

Redmi K20 and Redmi K20 Pro specifications:

The Redmi K20 Pro features a 6.39-inch Super AMOLED display that offers Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels). It is protected by Gorilla Glass 6 and offers 91.6 percent screen-to-body-ratio, and 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the phone features Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 855 chipset, which is clocked at 2.84Ghz. The Redmi K20 Pro has been teased as the fastest phone in the market with highest AnTuTu score of 388,803. In our performance piece, OnePlus 7 Pro scored 368,084 on AnTuTu benchmarking test. The Redmi K20 Pro ships with Game Turbo 2.0 to deliver an enhanced gaming experience.

When it comes to the camera, there is a vertically stacked triple camera setup. The primary shooter is the 48MP Sony IMX586 sensor supported by a lens with an aperture of f/1.75. There is a 13MP secondary sensor complemented with a wide-angle lens with an aperture of f/2.4 and a field-of-view of 124.89 degrees. The telephoto lens comes along with an 8MP sensor and a lens with an aperture of f/2.4. The phone’s camera will be able to record slow-motion video at up to 960fps videos. The selfie camera has a 20MP sensor.

Meanwhile, Redmi K20 is a watered-down version of the Redmi K20 Pro. Under the hood, the phone has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730 processor instead of the flagship Snapdragon chipset. The handset sports the same 6.39-inch AMOLED display as on the Pro variant and will draw its power from a 4000mAh battery that comes with an 18W fast charge. The camera setup is also the same as the Pro variant, however, the 48MP sensor is IMX582.

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