TCL to stop manufacturing BlackBerry smartphones from August 31, 2020

Blackberry smartphones will soon end their manufacturing run. TCL Communication, manufacturers of Blackberry devices, has announced that it would be parting ways with Blackberry later this year. However, existing Blackberry smartphone users will continue to receive after-sales services until 2022. 

Back in 2016, Blackberry signed a deal with TCL to manufacture and sell BlackBerry smartphones. The BlackBerry Motion, BlackBerry KEYone, and BlackBerry KEY2 were being designed, manufactured, and sold by TCL Communication in major markets. However, BlackBerry took to Twitter to announce the latest development. The statement included -

“The support of BlackBerry Limited was an essential element to bringing devices like BlackBerry KEYone, Motion, KEY2, and KEY2 LE to life and we're proud to have partnered with them these past few years on those projects. We do regret to share however that as of August 31, 2020, TCL Communication will no longer be selling BlackBerry-branded mobile devices.”

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— BlackBerry Mobile (@BBMobile) February 3, 2020

TCL Communications said in a statement that it was “blessed enough” to work on BlackBerry smartphones. “The future is bright for both TCL Communication and BlackBerry Limited, and we hope you'll continue to provide support both as we move ahead on our respective paths,” the statement added. The company will continue to provide support for the existing portfolio of mobile devices including customer service and warranty service until August 31, 2022.

In 2017, BlackBerry announced it would no longer make smartphones. BlackBerry handed all the hardware and sales details to its licensees to work as a software company. Hence, we are unlikely to see a BlackBerry smartphone now. It is likely the end of the company in the smartphone segment.

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How to use Google Search and recharge your prepaid mobile connection

Google has announced a new feature to facilitate easier prepaid mobile recharge via Google Search. The company now enables users to recharge their SIM connections directly from Google Search. One can simply search for ‘recharge’ or ‘SIM recharge’ in the Google app and they will be shown a mini window where they can enter their phone number and find recharge plans for their prepaid SIM connection. The feature will also enable users to compare different recharge options, which should help users find a prepaid plan as per their requirements. One can also pay for the recharge plan directly via the new feature. 

How to recharge your SIM via Google Search

We tried out the feature and as you can see from the screenshot embedded below, the option is a part of the Google Search feed when one searches for prepaid plans. Your primary SIM number is already entered in the mobile number field, along with the operator name and the circle. There’s a browse plans option, tapping on which will open up a new webpage where one can browse through all the available plans. Tapping on any recharge option will take users to the payment page where options like Google Pay, Paytm, FreeCharge and Mobikwik are listed. Tapping on any options here will open the respective app. 

Google notes that the feature is available for users who have signed into their Android devices. The option will show prepaid plans from Airtel, Vodafone-Idea, Jio and BSNL for all circles across India. The new feature started off as the “Mobile Recharge Early Adopters Program.” As per Google, “To be eligible for Mobile Recharge, you must be a service provider or a mobile recharge plans aggregator in India that providers offers on mobile phone plans.” As mentioned earlier, this option is available only for recharging prepaid mobile options. 

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Poco X2 with Snapdragon 730G, quad-cameras launched, starting at Rs 15,999

It has almost been one and a half years since Poco launched its first handset in India and now, it has unveiled its second handset in the country, the Poco X2. The new smartphone by Poco is essentially the rebranded Redmi K30, which was launched back in December, in China. True to previous rumours, the handset sports a circular rear camera setup, which houses four cameras and sports a punch-hole display on the front that houses two cameras. Poco has announced the new phone under a new ‘X’ series and based on the specs and price, it will go up against phones like the Realme X2 Pro, Oppo Reno2, among others. 

Poco X2 specifications

The Poco X2 comes equipped with a 6.67-inch Full HD+ display that sports a 20:9 display aspect ratio and supports refresh rates of upto 120Hz. The handset also comes equipped with an Intelligent Dynamic Refresh Rate feature, which tones down the refresh rate depending on the task being run by the phone. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset, which also powers handsets like the Realme X2, Oppo Reno2, and other devices. Poco claims that the Poco X2 is more powerful than the competition and can sustain peak performance, thanks to LiquidCool technology. This tech is said to enable better thermal dissipation, which could result in better performance. 

In terms of optics, the Poco X2 comes equipped with a quad rear-camera setup. There’s a 64MP IMX686 main sensor by Sony, which is paired with an f/1.89 aperture lens and sports 1.64µm pixel pitch. There’s also a 2MP depth sensor that is paired with an f/2.0 aperture lens, an 8MP ultra-wide angle camera that features f/2.2 aperture lens and there’s also a 2MP macro sensor with f/2.4 aperture. The camera also supports RAW image capture, 960FPS slow motion videography and a new VLOG mode that will enable users to create content in an interesting manner. On the front are 20MP + 2MP sensors, which are housed in a punch-hole camera setup. 

The Poco X2 comes with up to 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.1 storage. A 4500mAh battery powers the entire package and it also supports 27W fast charge. The company will also include a fast charger in-the-box. A side-mounted fingerprint sensor will help users with unlocking the device and both, the front and rear panel are protected by Gorilla Glass 5. The handset features a Type-C charging port and the 3.5mm headphone jack has been included as well. Additional features of the phone include availability of its kernel source code, inclusion of an IR blaster, VoWiFi support and P2i splash-proof coating. 

Poco X2 price, availability and launch offers 

The Poco X2 comes in Atlantis Blue, Matrix Purple and Phoenix Red colour variants. The handset’s 6GB RAM + 64GB storage version is priced at Rs 15,999 while its 6GB RAM + 128GB will cost Rs 16,999. The top-end variant of the phone gets 8GB RAM + 128GB of storage and is priced at Rs 19,999.

For launch offers, ICICI credit and debit card holders can also avail Rs 1,000 off on purchasing the Poco X2. The handset will go on sale at 12PM on February 11 via Flipkart.

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Poco X2 to be launched in India today: Live stream, specs, price and more

Poco X2 is all set to be launched in India today. The smartphone is speculated as a rebranded version of the Redmi K30 that was unveiled in December. Recent teasers have confirmed some of the specifications of the handset. It will come with 120Hz refresh rate and have support for 27W fast charging technology. It is likely to come equipped with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor 

Poco X2 launch event will take place in New Delhi and it will begin at 12 noon. You can watch the live stream below.

 

If Poco X2 turns out to be a rebranded Redmi K30 4G, then Poco X2 will feature a 6.67-inch full-HD+ display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and dual hole-punch selfie cameras, and it will be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G chipset. It could pack a 4500mAh battery and have features like NMF and IR blaster

In the optics department, Poco X2 is touted to sport a quad rear camera with 64MP main camera, an 8MP shooter and two 2MP sensors. The notch could house 20MP + 2MP selfie shooters. It is speculated to run Android 10 out of the box with MIUI 11 on top.

To recall, Redmi K30 4G is available for purchase in China at CNY 1,599 (Rs 16,300 approx) for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage option. Hence, Poco X2 price in India could start at Rs 15,999.

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Xbox Bug Bounty Programme Launched With Rewards of Up to $20,000

Microsoft announced a new Xbox Bounty programme today. As part of the programme, security researchers or white hat hackers can help the tech giant identify security loopholes in its Xbox Live network and services.

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Artist uses 99 smartphones to create fake traffic jams on Google Maps

The first thing we do before heading out is to check the traffic on Google Maps. The invaluable tool offers details on traffic snarls or bottlenecks on major roads. It is used by many to plan routes. Google encourages users to do the same by running ads and campaigns. But what if we told you that this tool isn’t foolproof and it can be tampered with? A man from Berlin hilariously used 99 smartphones and a hand cart to create fake jams in the German capital.

Simon Weckert, a Berlin-based artist, published a video on his YouTube channel and his blog where he can be seen pulling 99 smartphones with the location turned on in a hand cart on city streets (including the street right outside Google's office in Berlin). The slow movement of the hand cart filled with 99 smartphones convinced Google Maps that there were a lot of vehicles using a street that was actually empty. 

Google Maps uses smartphones to crowdsource traffic data the world over. The smartphones in vehicles provide information like the speed of the vehicle to Google. If the number of vehicles is high and the pace is slow, Google would show that segment of the street as red or maroon, suggesting that there is a traffic jam. The navigation system then suggests users avoid those streets, not knowing that it was Weckert pulling his hand cart.

Weckert hasn’t explained the methodology completely in his post so the whole thing could have been faked. However, Google should ideally take measures to prevent this sort of thing in the future since this could be abused by someone with the right resources.

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OnePlus 8, 8 Pro spotted on Amazon affiliate page, could launch soon

OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro have been spotted in the Amazon India Affiliate page. The company is yet to make any confirmation around its new models. Amazon was spotted providing advertising fees on the two upcoming OnePlus flagships. According to previous reports, OnePlus 8 Pro and OnePlus 8 both are tipped to come with a 120Hz display and are expected to include wireless charging.

Amazon India’s affiliate page featured a category named “NEW: Mobile Phones a 1 per cent Fixed Advertising Fee”. It listed the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro with OnePlus 7T Pro, OnePlus 7T Pro McLaren Edition, OnePlus 7T, and OnePlus 7 Pro. At the time of filing this story, the listing has been pulled. 

OnePlus is expected to launch its next flagship in the upcoming months. It is said to include three devices, OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Lite. Recently, the company also announced the creation of its 120Hz Fluid Display that uses MEMC technology for smoother video playback and a QHD+ resolution. Hence, the upcoming phones, especially the OnePlus 8 Pro and OnePlus 8 are likely to feature a 120Hz refresh rate. OnePlus 8 Pro is tipped to produce quad HD+ resolution along with 120Hz refresh rate.

The upcoming flagship smartphone is said to feature wireless charging capabilities as well. Recently, OnePlus 8 Pro was spotted on Geekbench that revealed that the flagship could be sold in a 12GB RAM variant, among others. The launch date of the next OnePlus smartphones is yet to be revealed.

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