WhatsApp highly forwarded messages see 70 percent drop after new limit

At the beginning of April, WhatsApp reduced the number of people one could forward a message to. The number which was previously 5 was reduced to 1. This was done to curb/reduce the spread of misinformation about the ongoing pandemic. In a statement to TechCrunch, WhatsApp said, “We recently introduced a limit to sharing ‘highly forwarded messages’ to just one chat. Since putting into place this new limit, globally there has been a 70% reduction in the number of highly forwarded messages sent on WhatsApp.”

Facebook-owned WhatsApp is the world's largest messaging service. It has more than 2 billion users globally of which more than 400 million users are in India alone. When the limit was reduced to 1, WhatsApp in a blog post said, “Is all forwarding bad? Certainly not. We know many users forward helpful information, as well as funny videos, memes, and reflections or prayers they find meaningful. In recent weeks, people have also used WhatsApp to organize public moments of support for frontline health workers. However, we’ve seen a significant increase in the amount of forwarding which users have told us can feel overwhelming and can contribute to the spread of misinformation. We believe it’s important to slow the spread of these messages down to keep WhatsApp a place for personal conversation.”

Not all is bad for those that want to share and stay in touch with their loved ones through WhatsApp. WhatsApp recently increased its group call limit from four to eight. It also announced Messenger Rooms that would hold up to 50 people with no time limit. You can read more about it here. 

If you are looking for alternatives to stay in touch with friends and family in an interesting way, then you can check out some fun video calling apps here. In other video calling news, Mumbai-based developer, Inscripts, seems to have created an Indian answer to Zoom in the form of Say Namaste. The platform is currently in Beta and should launch officially in the next few weeks. The company has also submitted builds of the app to Google and Apple in order to be listed in their respective app stores. You can read more about Say Namaste here.

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OnePlus issued an update to fix the green tint display issue in the OnePlus 88 Pro

The OnePlus 8 Pro may have snagged the highest rating from DisplayMate for the large AMOLED panel it uses on the smartphone, but a lot of users have been complaining about a green-tint on the panel, which also incidentally bugs Galaxy S20 Ultra users as well. Thankfully, OnePlus has issued an update that fixes the problem.

OnePlus is rolling out OxygenOS 10.5.5 update for the OnePlus 8 Pro and OxygenOS 10.5.4 update for the OnePlus 8. The changelog includes a fix for the green tint issue. OnePlus mentions it has ironed out issues in touch sensitivity at the edges and optimised the screen for some effects.

The update also includes new features for the camera with improvements in focusing and white-balance, especially in low-light. The new update also works at improving the smoothness and stability of the camera app. OnePlus also mentions it fixed issues with Wi-Fi and mobile network in the flagship.

As for the OnePlus 8, the new update also includes the green tint correction, along with improved system stability and some more fixes in network stability.

OnePlus 8, OnePlus 8 Pro hardware specs and features

The OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro are confirmed to launch in India after the lockdown imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus lifts. While the former is the default option for most with a Snapdragon 865 SoC, and a triple camera setup at the back, the OnePlus 8 Pro is the company’s first true premium flagship that now takes care of the little things like wireless charging and water resistance. Both smartphones are flagship-grade with the Snapdragon 865 SoC under the hood. However, while the OnePlus 8 only gets a 6.5-inch FHD+ 90Hz display, the OnePlus 8 Pro brings a QHD+ 6.7-inch 120Hz display. Furthermore, the Pro variant runs on LPDDR5 RAM, the latest memory standard out in the market and rocks 30W wireless charging support. There are also two 48MP cameras on the OnePlus 8 Pro including a custom-built Sony IMX689 sensor while the OnePlus 8 gets the new Sony IMX586 48MP sensor.

Pricing for the OnePlus 8 in India starts from Rs 41,999 in India while the OnePlus 8 Pro will start at Rs 54,999. Both smartphones will be sold via Amazon India, OnePlus’ own e-store and via offline channels.

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BSNL extends work from home broadband plan availability till May 19

BSNL has announced that it is extending its work from home broadband plan availability till May 19, 2020. The information comes from BSNL’s Tamil Nadu Twitter account. The tweet highlights the features of the plan which gives new and existing customers 5GB data per day at 10Mbps after which the speed drops to 1Mbps. The plan first came into effect when the lockdown began in India and people started working from home. For most, working from home means more data consumption and this plan from BSNL helped those that needed a decent internet connection to get work done. The lockdown in India has been extended till May 3 with the possibility of it getting extended even further. 

#BSNL #WorkFromHome #FreeBroadband pic.twitter.com/CXNG0rWsSY

— BSNL TamilNadu (@BSNL_TN) April 24, 2020

For those that are on the BSNL mobile network and need more data, they can check out the BSNL prepaid plans priced at Rs 693 and Rs 1,212 that offer data only and no voice calls or SMS services. Remember, the two plans are available in select regions only. The Rs 693 plan brings 300GB of data while the Rs 1,212 plan brings 500GB of data, both with a 365 days validity. You can read more about these plans here. 

If you are one that needs more speed than data, then you may want to take a look at Airtel’s 1Gbps connections. Bharti Airtel CEO Gopal Vittal said that the company is ready to provide 1Gbps connections to those that need it to work from home. He goes on to say that despite the lockdown, the company will do its best to arrange for installation as soon as possible. You can read more about it here. 

With the Coronavirus forcing people to stay indoors. It is hard for telecom operators to add new customers. Reports suggest that Reliance Jio, Airtel and Vodafone Idea have added a mere 500,000 new customers in March. To put things into perspective, in any other month, this number would have been 2.5- 3 million. You can read more about the drop in telecom subscriptions here. 

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Upcoming Realme TV reportedly receives Android TV certification

The much-anticipated Realme TV might get a launch date in India soon. As per the latest reports, the upcoming TV has received Google certification for India, leading to speculation around the company's debut in the TV category as the lockdown eases.

Realme has confirmed that it's venturing into the TV category this year. The plan was to reveal the product in March but was delayed due to the unfortunate Covid-19 outbreak. It's evident that it is in the works, and recent developments hint of reaching into the final stage.

The latest information comes via a tweet from Android TV guide (@androidtv_rumor), with a screenshot of a list of upcoming TVs that have just been certified by Google. The screenshot mentions three brands for India, which as per the screenshot are the same models. As per the unverified screenshot, the code name "ikebukuro" is used for a pre-existing Changhong based TV model used by many brands. The SoC is said to be an MStar T16.

The upcoming Realme #AndroidTV @RealmeMobiles just got certified by Google. The code name "ikebukuro" refers to a ChangHong based TV already used by a few brands. The SoC is an MStar T16. pic.twitter.com/9BeUE378XO

— Android TV Guide (@androidtv_rumor) April 21, 2020

Recently, the leaked BIS certification filings of the alleged Realme TV spilt some key details of one of its upcoming product. It revealed that it would be a 43-inch LED-panel. The TV will likely cater to the budget segment, which is currently dominated by its competitor Xiaomi.

For those who don't know, Realme, just like Xiaomi, is looking beyond smartphones. Madhav Sheth, CEO of Realme, recently spoke to Digit.in about the upcoming plans towards creating an ecosystem of products (watch video). To recall, Realme has already expanded its portfolio to audio and wearable categories.

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Realme X3 SuperZoom with new design allegedly leaked

An upcoming Realme smartphone has been spotted on the Internet with a new design and could be the rumoured Realme X3 SuperZoom. The company recently announced the Realme X50m in China and was also preparing to introduce the new Narzo series in India. However, as the nation-wide lockdown to curb the spread of the Coronavirus remains in effect, the launch was postponed many times and will now be held at a later date.

The leaked images come from the account Digital Chat Station on Weibo who posted two images of a mysterious Realme smartphone. The phone in pictures seems to have a glass design with a carbon fibre finish underneath. The most distinct element in the design, however, is the middle strip that runs through the centre of the back panel.

The transparent strip has yellow accents with the brand’s logo in the centre. It also surrounds the rear camera setup that’s housed under the glass panel. This is pretty similar to Oppo’s Reno smartphone design but isn’t a direct rip-off, which could be a good thing. 

Giving us a clear picture of the phone is another source that posted a render of the much-rumoured Realme X3 SuperZoom and it looks very similar to the pictures we’ve seen on Weibo. The phone that’s touted to be the Realme X3 SuperZoom features a quad-camera setup and has a yellow stripe running through the middle with the Realme logo. 

Realme X3 SuperZoom has been spotted previously on various certification and benchmarking websites and goes by the model number RMX2086, almost everywhere. According to earlier reports, the X3 SuperZoom could offer up to 20x hybrid zoom, running Android 10 on a Snapdragon 855 Plus chipset. 

We may be reading a bit too much between the lines, however, it looks like the Realme X3 series or the X3 SuperZoom is set to launch in an all-new avatar, whenever that might be.

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Call of Duty: Mobile will get new Rust map next week

Activision has finally confirmed that the Rust map will be available for Call of Duty: Mobile next week. The developers had previously teased the map on its social media handles, but players were quick to recognise the map thanks to the iconic central tower. The map was first seen in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and was included in the Season 2 update for the latest Call of Duty: Modern Warfare game.

The new classic Call of Duty map, Rust is coming to #CODMobile this week and we are just as excited as you are! pic.twitter.com/8Exeg2inoZ

— Call of Duty: Mobile (@PlayCODMobile) April 26, 2020

The new map is set in an oil yard in the middle of a desert. It will feature a lot of Close Quarters Battle (CQB), so SMGs and shotguns may be a good choice for players. However, the map will also offer mid-range and long-range opportunities. Most notable being the central tower that can be climbed and used as a sniper nest. Due to the tight and twisting nature of the map, keep your senses peeled for any ambushes by enemies. As such, getting some verticality may be a very good idea. It may be a good idea to equip scorestreaks like the MQ-27 Dragonfire, Stealth Chopper, and the VTOL. You can find more information about the map on Activision’s official blog.

Call of Duty: Mobile has been releasing new maps at a fairly regular pace. The first new map to be released for the game was Scrapyard, a map first introduced in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. This was followed by Cage, a new map that was exclusive to mobile. The last map that was released for the game was Meltdown, which was first seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2. However, Rust will not be the last map to release for the game as the developers are testing another new map in Beta. Called Saloon, the new map is quite small and will most likely be limited to the new 1v1 Duel mode that will release soon. 

Call of Duty: Mobile’s competitor, PUBG Mobile, is also doing its bit to attract gamers bored at home during this lockdown period. The developers have introduced a new mode called ‘Arctic Mode’. This mode challenges players to maintain their body temperature, while still being on the lookout for enemies. The game also adds a remote control drone to the mix, adding a new level of tactics and strategy. Furthermore, the developers have also announced the addition of a ranked mode for Team Death Matches.  

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Xiaomi to announce MIUI 12 with Mi 10 Youth Edition 5G today: Everything you need to know

Xiaomi is set to announce the Mi 10 Youth Edition 5G smartphone along with MIUI 12 in an event in China. While the Mi 10 Youth Edition is most likely the Mi 10 Lite 5G launched in Europe, all eyes are on the upcoming new user interface from Xiaomi which will be pushed to a host of Xiaomi-made devices across the world, eventually.

So, while the Mi 10 Youth Edition 5G may just stick to the Chinese market, MIUI will have a big impact on Xiaomi’s portfolio of devices across the world and especially in India. With its key competitors (Oppo, Vivo and Realme) going all out with their new interfaces for 2020, MIUI was also looking to follow suit.

MIUI 12: Expected features and release date

In all likeliness, the Mi 10 Youth Edition 5G will be the first smartphone to run on MIUI 12. The custom Android skin was teased by Xiaomi executives on Weibo, and going by the teasers, MIUI 12 will likely look at offering a consistent user experience, along with more privacy options. To this regard, Xiaomi has unveiled a new Privacy logo that will be applied to all its future products to assuage users of Mi phones offering user privacy.

Xiaomi also confirmed it has developed an open-source Mobile AI Compute Engine that will allow mobile phones to perform offline computing without uploading the data to servers, ensuring maximum security for users. Notably, this is something that Apple does in iOS devices.

Another more holistic upgrade is a new information security management system that’s based on six important rules — Data minimisation, openness, transparency, security protection, purpose limitation, compliance review and clear responsibilities. More details around Xiaomi’s new push for privacy will be revealed at the event scheduled today.

Furthermore, Xiaomi is expected to unveil a new design language for the UI, maybe a more consistent dark mode but definitely facelifts for its stock apps. One such app that is expected to get a big upgrade is the Notes app which is set to get a lot cleaner and intuitive. Reports claim the Notes app will sync with the to-do lists with a single click.

There are more such features on the cards, which will only be confirmed once Xiaomi makes the announcement. As for the release date, we expect Xiaomi to reveal a timeline for devices that will receive the update to the new UI at the event.

Mi 10 Youth Edition 5G: Expected Specs, features and price

There seems to be a high demand for mid-range 5G smartphones in China, and Xiaomi is looking to make the most of it. The Mi 10 Youth Edition is likely to launch in four variants. The base model with 6GB RAM and 64GB storage, another with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, one with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage and one last with 8GB RAM with 256GB storage.

The price is expected to start from RMB 2,299 (roughly Rs 24,800) for the 6+64GB variant, RMB 2,499 (roughly Rs 27,000) for the 6+128GB variant, RMB 2,699 (roughly Rs 29,000) for the 8+128GB variant and RMB 2,999 (roughly Rs 32,000) for the 8+256GB variant.

The Mi 10 Youth Edition 5G is expected to come with a 6.57-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution. Xiaomi has confirmed it is a Samsung display with a high contrast ratio. The phone, quite expectedly, is powered by the Snapdragon 765G SoC which comes with an integrated 5G modem.

While many think the Mi 10 Youth Edition 5G will be the same as the Mi 10 Lite 5G launched in Europe, the camera specs may differ a little. The company teased a quad-camera setup at the back that includes 50x digital zoom. The primary camera is expected to house a 48MP sensor, paired with an ultra-wide lens and two more lenses. However, none of them has the folded periscope design so it will be interesting to see how Xiaomi achieves the 50x zoom that it promised. In addition, it’s expected to offer a 16MP front camera in a waterdrop notch. The phone is rumoured to offer a 4,160mAh battery and run MIUI 12 out of the box.

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