Zoom calls to get end-to-end encryption, but with a catch

Zoom has announced that it will finally bring end-to-end encryption to the platform, a feature that’s been asked for by users for quite some time. The update comes in the wake of Zoom’s acquisition of Keybase, a company that specializes in encrypted messaging and cloud services.

Zoom had always claimed that video calls conducted on their platform were encrypted, but later, it was discovered that Zoom calls though encrypted, were not end-to-end encrypted. What this meant is that hackers could actually gain access to entire Zoom call recordings if they chose to, something that did eventually come to pass.

Now with Keybase’s acquisition, Zoom is definitely living up to its promise of fixing the numerous security flaws that were discovered with the platform. However, end-to-end encryption isn’t coming as a standard, free for all feature. End-to-End encryption will only be available to those who pony us the $14.99/month subscription fee, meaning free users won’t be able to enjoy the benefit of end-to-end encryption. Additionally, if the host of the meeting has enabled end-to-end encryption, then attendees will not be able to join the meeting via phone and cloud-based recording of the meeting won’t be stored. The company has explicitly confirmed on its blog that they will not store encryption keys on their servers, so there’s no way for Zoom to see any part of the call.

“We believe this will provide equivalent or better security than existing consumer end-to-end encrypted messaging platforms, but with the video quality and scale that has made Zoom the choice of over 300 million daily meeting participants, including those at some of the world’s largest enterprises,” said Zoom CEO, Eric Yuan.

Over the last few weeks, Zoom has been rapidly rolling out updates to fix the myriad of security issues being discovered. First, the company rolled out Zoom 5.0, followed by the recent-most update rolled out yesterday which prevents hackers from Zoom Bombing meetings. Needless to say, the company has been living up to its promise of fixing the problems on the platform.

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Xiaomi MIUI 12 could launch globally on May 19

Xiaomi could launch its latest MIUI 12 update for its global users on May 19. MIUI 12 was announced just weeks back with the Mi 10 Youth Edition in China and brings in a lot of visual and functional changes to how you use a Xiaomi phone.

MIUI’s official Twitter handle posted a rather intriguing puzzle for Mi Fans to solve and asks them to “remember this important day” followed by the hashtag MIUI 12. Now, the puzzle is analytical in nature but it is easier if you know the mathematical order of operations or simply put, the BODMAS rule.

Mi fans can figure out the answer. How about you? This is a very important message! If you get the answer, remember this important day. #MIUI #MIUI12 pic.twitter.com/3WVDJDTYCm

— MIUI (@miuirom) May 7, 2020

Solving the puzzle, you get 19 as the important day, however, it could either be May 19 or June 19. We expect Xiaomi to announce the MIUI 12 global on May 19 given that it has actively started sharing teasers such as this puzzle in question. This could indicate an imminent announcement of the MIUI 12 for a global audience and as such May 19 could be the likely date for the launch.

MIUI comes with an updated Dark Mode 2.0, redesigned camera app, new always-on display themes, privacy options, new live wallpapers and more. Visually, the developers have opted for a flat and minimal design by grouping different UI elements. 

The camera app has also been updated to support the customized layout of buttons and various modes while new multi-tasking features such as window mode, and PiP bring more functional options to the table. 

MIUI 12 also features advanced health monitoring tools such as tracking a user’s sleep cycle with as close to 96 percent accuracy.

As for the Indian variant of the MIUI 12, we expect Xiaomi to release it sometime after the global launch. Nevertheless, the developers have already begun recruiting beta testers for MIUI 12 in India but currently only for Redmi K20 and K20 Pro.

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Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 launched in India for Rs 4,499

Xiaomi has announced its first true wireless earbuds, the Mi TWS Earphones 2 at Rs 4,499 in India. The company unveiled its latest audio product during an online event alongside the Mi 10 5G and Mi Box. After the Indian government eased up lockdown restrictions, smartphone companies have started announcing new products with more launches set to be held in the next few weeks.

The Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 go up against the likes of Realme Buds Air and Noise Shots. Here’s a brief look at Xiaomi’s truly wireless earbuds, its pricing and availability.

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 price and availability

The Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 is priced at Rs 4,499 but will be available for Rs 3,999 in India for a limited period. So, if you’re looking to get your hands on Xiaomi’s latest TWS earbuds, you can buy it during the promotional period between May 12 - 17.

The Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 goes on sale from May 12 on Amazon India and Mi India store.

Xiaomi Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 specifications and features

The Mi True Wireless Earphones 2 have a semi-in-ear design to offer a comfortable fit and offers up to 14 hours of battery life with the charging case and up to 4 hours worth of listening on a single charge. 

The TWS earphones are fitted with 14.2mm drivers that deliver a crisp sound profile with support for LHDC Hi-Res audio codec. It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth 5.0 and is equipped with noise cancellation technology that uses its dual microphones to cancel out unwanted noise.

Xiaomi’s latest TWS earphones are specifically tuned for phones running MIUI 11 and pairing it is as simple as opening the lid of the carrying case. These pair of earbuds also features an optical sensor that detects when it’s being used and accordingly plays/pauses the music playback. 

These earphones also come with support for Google Assistant, Siri and Alexa, so you can ask for help from either of these voice assistants by tapping the side button.

 

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Nokia 61 tipped to launch with Zeiss optics, Qualcomm SoC

It looks like Nokia is planning a new mid-range smartphone alongside the often leaked Nokia 7.3 and Nokia 9.3 PureView this year. According to a report by Nokia Power User, HMD Global is planning to launch the Nokia 6.3 in Q3 2020. However, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the launch date may change. The new device is tipped to start at EUR 249, which is approximately Rs 20,000. Interestingly, the report claims that the base variant of the phone will offer 3GB RAM and 64GB storage.  

Specifications

Sources told the website that HMD Global considers the price point of the Nokia 6.X quite important. The report also adds that the new device may be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 670/675 SoC. It could also feature a Zeiss-branded quad-camera setup at the back, which should help market it over devices like the Nokia 5.3, which would be placed lower in the price bracket. It further adds that the phone may feature a 16MP front camera housed inside a teardrop notch. 

Nokia is also tipped to release the Nokia 7.3 and Nokia 9.3 PureView in Q3 2020 and it is quite possible that the company will release all three phones together. The Nokia 7.3 will be another mid-range device from the company, but it will be priced higher and offer more premium features. Reports suggest that the phone will be powered by a Snapdragon 700-series SoC. The Nokia 9.3 PureView, on the other hand, will be a new flagship smartphone and is tipped to pack a multi-camera setup at the back. It will most likely be powered by a Snapdragon 865 SoC and is tipped to sport a 6.29-inch QHD+ pOLED display.

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Xiaomi Mi 10 5G launched in India: specifications, prices and availability

Xiaomi has launched the Mi 10, it’s flagship 5G smartphone alongside the Mi Box and Mi True Wireless Earbuds 2 in India. The company hasn’t been successful in grabbing a piece of the premium smartphone segment yet, a slab that’s been hugely dominated by OnePlus and likes. So, after the Mi Mix 2 in 2017, Xiaomi is having another go at the premium flagship segment with the Mi 10 which is their most advanced phone till date, going up against the likes of Samsung Galaxy S20 series and OnePlus 8 series, to name a few.

The Mi 10 was earlier scheduled to launch on March 31 but due to the Coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent nation-wide lockdown, the launch was deferred to a later date. Now that the Indian government has eased the restrictions in Green and Orange zones, the company is coming out with the Mi 10 and other accessories along with the Mi Box. Let’s take a brief look at the specifications, prices and availability of the Xiaomi Mi 10 in India.

Xiaomi Mi 10 price and availability

Xiaomi Mi 10 is being offered in two storage variants with 8GB RAM-- 128GB and 256GB. The base variant is priced at Rs 49,999 while the 256GB model will be up for grabs at Rs 54,999 and goes on pre-orders starting May 8 on Amazon India and Mi India Store.

HDFC bank cardholders are also eligible for Rs 3,000 cashback on purchase of Mi 10 and people who pre-order the phone will also get the Mi wireless charger for free.

Do note, however, that the government hasn’t allowed non-essential delivery by e-commerce companies in Red zones. 

The Mi 10 comes in two colours-- Twilight Grey and Coral Green.

Xiaomi Mi 10 specifications and features

Xiaomi Mi 10 comes with a premium finish that is complemented by an aluminium chassis. The phone measures 9 millimetres at it’s thickest point and weighs 208 grams. It features a 6.67-inch Full HD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels) resolution display that uses a Super AMOLED panel topped with Gorilla Glass 5. The screen supports 90Hz high refresh rate that ensures a smooth experience and is certified for HDR10+ playback. It has a punch-hole cutout in the top-left corner for the selfie camera that gives the display a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The display is also home to an optical fingerprint reader.

The Mi 10 is powered by top-of-the-line Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chipset with 5G support and an octa-core CPU that is paired with Adreno 650 GPU, 8GB RAM and upto 256GB UFS 3.0 storage options to choose from. It runs on the latest version of MIUI 11 which is based on Android 10.

Mi 10 has a versatile quad-camera setup that consists of a primary 108MP camera with an f/1.7 aperture, a 13MP ultra-wide camera with 123-degree field-of-view, a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth sensor. The rear camera setup is capable of recording videos in 8K UHD at 30fps and 4K UHD at up to 60fps with OIS, EIS and shoot steady modes. There’s a 20MP front-facing camera housed within the punch-hole notch cutout with features like AI Beautify, studio lighting and more.

Xiaomi’s flagship phone supports 5G networks, though India currently has none. It also comes with Wi-Fi 6 modem with a maximum throughput rate of 9.6Gb per second and MultiLink support that joins Wi-Fi and 4G/5G networks to ensure fast and stable internet connectivity. It is fitted with dual linear speakers and the phone also supports Hi-Res audio playback. 

The Mi 10 is fitted with a 4,780mAh battery that supports 30W fast charging, both wired and wireless. It also supports 5W reverse wireless charging out-of-the-box. Xiaomi has also announced a wireless charger as an accessory for the Mi 10 which is sold seperately for Rs 2,500.

 

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Youtube Music adds the Explore tab and song lyrics to the app

It looks like Youtube Music is getting a few new features. Google’s music streaming service has just added an Explore tab on the app to help users discover new music that may be more in line with their tastes. The app has also added song lyrics for a number of tunes. The features should be available on both Android and iOS soon. As of right now, the Explore tab is available on Android devices as seen in the image below. As of right now, for users on Android in India, only the Explore tab is available and we expect the song lyrics option to be rolled out soon. 

The Explore tab will now allow users to search for their favourite music and customize their UI with their own tracks and genres that they may want to check out. Just be aware that the features may not have rolled out to all Android or iOS devices yet so if you do not see either feature on the app, do not worry as it may take some time to be rolled out. 

Check out some new features on #YouTubeMusic. Introducing the Explore Tab, where you can find new releases and browse playlists by mood, and Song Lyrics to sing along to your favorites. Now available for Android and iOS users → https://t.co/WgHKyzT2vn pic.twitter.com/Dj4gX1AQpK

— YouTube Music At Home (@youtubemusic) May 6, 2020

In other news, Youtube now has now enabled support for UPI payments in India. You can read more about that here. Also, if you’re bored at home, you can check out these excellent Youtube web series to keep you entertained. You can check out the entire list here. Youtube has also created a feed of short videos by users called Youtube Shorts. If you want to know more about that, you can check it out here. 

 

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OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z to be available on both Amazon and Flipkart, sale dates revealed

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z launched alongisde the OnePlus 8 series in an online event in April, along with a fast wireless charger for the OnePlus 8 Pro. Since then, OnePlus has listed the new smartphones on Amazon India and is even accepting pre-orders with deliveries set to begin from May 11 in areas designated orange and green zones in the ongoing lockdown. Now, OnePlus has also put up the new Bullets Wireless Z for sale in India.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z sale in India

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z will retail for Rs 1,999 in India and will be available in three colours — Black, Oat and Blue. You can pick up the Bullets Wireless Z on Amazon.in in early access starting 12 AM on 10 May 2020.

From May 11 2020, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z will be made available across all online and offline retail channels, including Flipkart, making it the first time a OnePlus product will be officially sold by the Walmart-owned e-commerce platform.

On Flipkart, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z will start selling from midnight, 11 May 2020, marking a new partnership between the premium smartphone maker and the homegrown e-commerce platform.

At present, only customers residing in areas designated green and orange zones by the Government of India can purchase the product. Same goes for the new OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro smartphones as these gadgets are not deemed essential goods by the government.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z features and specifications

The Bullets Wireless Z is the third-generation neckband-style headphones from OnePlus that launched alongside the OnePlus 8 series. Interestingly, there aren’t many audio upgrades to talk about in this one, but OnePlus did add a splash of new colour options to choose from. OnePlus is also reportedly working on a truly wireless pair of earphones that is rumoured to launch later this year, so maybe that's where we shall be seeing more action.

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