E3 2020 Won't Get an Online Replacement Event in June

Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2020, one of the biggest events for the gaming industry, was officially cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak. The organising body, Entertainment Software Association (ESA), initially explored the idea of holding an online event instead. Now, according to a new report, ESA has decided against hosting an online eve...

from RSS Feeds | GAMES - RSS Feed - NDTV Gadgets360.com https://ift.tt/2yJKp2J

iQOO Neo3 leak reveals 120Hz refresh rate display, 6GB RAM and 128GB storage

While it’s a new brand in India vying for the premium segment, iQOO has been in China for quite some time now with a bunch of premium flagship products. The one that launched in India, the iQOO 3 5G may have the 5G certification (which doesn’t do much in India) but the display still has a 60Hz refresh rate. The next iQOO smartphone might change that.

The official teaser for the iQOO Neo3 went up in China and claims the phone will come with ‘higher refresh rate’. No exact number was quoted but a new leak on Weibo states it will come with a 120Hz refresh rate display. That’s the max it can go with another 90Hz added to the mix. There’s also the option to keep the panel refreshing at 60Hz and an auto mode for the undecided.

The leak also shows the About section of the Settings app in the iQOO Neo3 which reveals the phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 865 and will rock 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The flagship processor part was already confirmed in the official teaser.

The iQOO Neo3 will continue with a 1080p display with the punch-hole camera like the iQOO 3 5G (review) which can be told by the icon placement on the status bar in the leaked image.

There’s no information on when the smartphone will actually launch yet.

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/39WBfwt

Android 11 may finally enable seamless updates after Google makes AB partitions mandatory

Updates on Android devices have been a major talking point when comparing against the likes of iOS devices. And that’s really because every Android device is unique in its own way, with its own UI and services on top of the generic Android OS. Google did launch Project Treble that made it easier for OEMs to work on updates, but Google is not stopping there.

New AOSP code reveals Google is making it mandatory for all devices to have “A/B partitions” that will make updates install while you use your smartphone normally.

A new commit on AOSP Gerrit that has the title “Require Virtual A/B on R launches” has been added to the Vendor Test Suite which is an automated test that devices must go through for Project Treble. The test checks whether the device has A/B partition enabled. If “ro.virtual_ab.enabled” is set to true and “ro.virtual_ab.retrofit” is set to false, the device will pass the test.

We might be seeing the changes to Android 11, details of which are expected to come out in May. If Google does push through with making this mandatory, it will make the update process so much more seamless. Here’s how A/B partitions work (h/t: XDA-Developers) -

On a very basic level, A/B partition puts essential files into slots in your device storage. So when the update is installed, files in Slot B are updated while files in Slot A of the phone aren't. Now Slot B is kept inactive till you restart your phone. The moment you do, the device switches over from Slot A to Slot B and you get the latest update on your device.

The biggest advantage is, of course, the seamlessness of the whole process. You don’t need to charge your phone to full capacity and keep it off for a good 15 minutes for the files to install. With A/B partition, it’ll all happen in the background while you play your game or watch your video. Saves everyone a lot of time.

Furthermore, if by chance the update is corrupted and fails to install, only the inactive Slot B will be affected but you can keep using your phone like normal and do it again with a fresh download of the update.

The downside to having the new partition is the extra storage space it will need. That can be a big hurdle in Google making this mandatory since most OEMs ship with their own customisations on the Android OS that adds to the space the OS takes on a device.

Now with A/B partitions going to be mandatory in Android 11, it won’t be wrong to assume Google will also enable seamless updates to become more common.

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/3c6NB73

Netflix announces parental control updates for families stuck in the lockdown

Netflix has released updated parental control options to ensure kids don’t watch inappropriate content while parents work from home. With a nation-wide lockdown still in effect due to the Coronavirus outbreak, kids can easily be found glued to TV screens. So it falls upon parents to keep a check on the kind of shows and movies their kids watch, especially in isolation.

“Every family is different. It’s why we’re investing in a wide variety of kids and family films and TV shows from all over the world - including award-winning animated films like Klaus, series such as Mighty Little Bheem and interactive shows like Carmen Sandiego: To Steal or Not to Steal,” writes Michelle Parsons, Kids Product Manager, Netflix in a blog post.

These new tools will help parents monitor and control the catalogue of titles their kids get access to. Perhaps, the biggest update to Parental Control options comes in the form of the ability to filter out specific titles from the Kids profile. There’s an age filter as well that takes into account the ratings of the titles.

So, parents can now tailor the overall experience of Netflix for their kids with only appropriate content that’s fit for watching at that age. Additionally, parents can now monitor their kids' Netflix history and also control autoplay of episodes in Kids profile.

“Choice and control have always been important for our members, especially parents. We hope that these additional controls will help parents make the right choices for their families,” Parsons added.

All of these parental controls and more are now neatly grouped under the profile and Parental Control hub in account settings. You can visit Netflix account settings on laptops or mobile phones to access the new parental control tools.

In Comparison, Prime Video offers parental controls in the form of viewing restrictions based on maturity ratings of a particular show or movie. So for instance in India, all movies certified by CBFC that have been given a U certificate are appropriate for kids to watch, however, a movie needs to be U/A certified for 7+ and 13+ kids. The Prime Video app also allows you to set up an individual pin for different devices for access.

Disney+ Hotstar, on the other hand, offers a toggle button to switch to Kids mode that filters out age-appropriate content for watching. Beyond that, the service doesn’t offer advanced control and monitoring tools like Netflix and Prime Video.

With that, if you’re sitting bored at home, you might want to check out our list of best superhero shows on Netflix.

 

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/2UQPLSb

Sony unveils DualSense game controller for PlayStation 5

Sony has finally given us a sneak peek into the new PlayStation 5 game controller. It’s called DualSense and the comapny has started shipping it to PS5 game developers. The new controller has been redesigned while keeping the fundamental features intact from the DualShock 4 controller that launched with PS4 back in 2013.

In a blog post, Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President, Platform Planning & Management, Sony wrote, “the DualShock 4 wireless controller garnered a lot of positive feedback from gamers and developers for being the best PlayStation controller yet, and for introducing forward-looking features like the Share button. This brought us to the next question – how do we build upon that success?”

DualSense wireless controller features haptic feedback and adaptive triggers for an immersive gaming experience. The angle of the hand triggers have been tweaked a bit from the previous generation and the grip also recieves some ergonomical upgrades. The controller has an in-built microphone array that enables players to chat with in-game friends. So you don’t need to have a headset with a mic attached to the PS5 in order to talk, however, Sony still recommends using a headset for long gameplay sessions.

The controller has a two-tone design and the light bar has been repositioned as well. It now sits on each side of the touch pad as opposed to the top on the DualShock 4. It’s bigger in size and easily merges with the design of the controller. 

There’s a new “Create” button instead of the Share button. This will allow players to create a wide range of gameplay content and more. Sony will reveal more about this new feature as we near the official launch. 

DualSense controller has a USB Type-C port and Sony promises a “strong battery life” without adding much to its weight.

Sony will release more imformation including the design of the PS5 in the heads up to the official launch that’s slated for Holiday 2020 (October-December).

 

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/2XjlTQ0

OnePlus officially introduces Warp Charge 30 Wireless charging dock ahead of OnePlus 8 series launch

OnePlus has officially teased its wireless charging dock for its upcoming OnePlus 8 series of smartphones due out on April 14. While the company stayed away from offering wireless charging solutions even though it switched to glass panels, citing underdeveloped technology, 2020 seems to be the year when OnePlus finally settles, offering its users a way to charge their phones wirelessly.

To that effect, the company announced in a blog post some of the key features of its upcoming accessory that’s called OnePlus Warp Charge 30 Wireless. The wireless charging dock was leaked just hours ago by leakster Evan Blass.

“When wireless charging first appeared, it was clear that the technology would elevate the OnePlus user experience. But after numerous tests, we found that it didn’t meet the same standards as Warp Charge. We decided to continue the development of our wireless charging technology before releasing a OnePlus wireless charging unit. This decision was not taken lightly. We were on the clock and knew that you, our community, expected us to deliver an exceptional product,” writes Evan, Global Product Team.

OnePlus Warp Charge 30 Wireless charging dock features

OnePlus’ wireless charging dock supports a peak output of up to 30W and is capable of recharging your OnePlus 8 phone to 50% in 30 minutes tops. Additionally, this dock is also Qi-certified which means it can be used with Qi wireless chargers at 5W-10W output. 

In the post, OnePlus reveals that their wireless charging dock uses an “industry-first” isolated charge pump with its proprietary Warp charging solution to deliver a 97% charge efficiency, thereby also reducing the heat production. 

This charge pump has been designed in such a way that it restricts the flow of current if abnormal voltage fluctuations are detected. There’s a custom chip that “enables real-time communication between the wireless charger and the phone” to monitor and control the current and voltage to ensure maximum output.

Wireless charging removes the hassle of plugging in your phones into a charging adapter every time you need to top it up. The OnePlus wireless charging dock allows users to just place the phone on the charging pad for it to charge automatically.

The OnePlus Warp Charge 30 wireless charger also seems to feature a built-in fan for better heat dissipation including a Sleep mode that disables the fan at night. The wireless charging dock is expected to be priced around 70 Euros which roughly translates to Rs 5,700.

OnePlus wireless charging pad is expected to be unveiled alongside the OnePlus 8 series of phones on April 14.

 

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/2JMd2hZ

Microsoft goes digital-first for all its events till July 2021

Microsoft is preparing to host all its events, summits and conferences virtually through to July 2021 as the coronavirus outbreak has forced companies to take a hard look at their planned events this year. While a majority of the workforce is adjusting to working from home, events and conferences scheduled by companies are being postponed to a later date or scrapped off completely.

Many such events have been shifted to an online-only model like Microsoft Build 2020 and now the company seems to be getting ready to host virtual events and conferences until July 2021. In a mail to Microsoft’s Most Valuable Professionals (MVP), the company states that all its external and internal events will be transitioned to a digital-first experience.

“In light of the challenges presented by COVID-19, Microsoft has been closely monitoring the developing global situation and re-assessing the overall company-wide in-person event strategy. As a company, Microsoft has decided to transition all external and internal events to a digital-first experience through July 2021,” reads the mail.

This also means that Microsoft’s MVP and Regional Directors (RD) Summit that is scheduled for March 28, 2021, will be held virtually, much like the Build 2021. Similarly, Microsoft Ignite in-person events that were scheduled to be held from September 21-25 across 30 cities is being transformed into a digital-first event. 

Microsoft says that it will resume in-person meetings when the situation allows for it, which is to say when the COVID-19 pandemic subsides. As for its next online-only event, Microsoft is going forward with the Build 2020 developers conference from May 19 to 21. Google’s annual developer's conference, Google I/O 2020 was earlier announced to be shifted online, however, it now remains cancelled.

 

from Latest Technology News https://ift.tt/2VbLwzE