Xiaomi is launching the Mi QLED TV in India on December 16 at 12 noon

Just when you thought new product launches for 2020 had come to an end, Xiaomi jumps into the ring and announces the launch of a QLED TV. Xiaomi has taken to Twitter to make the announcement and the tweet reads, “Mi Fans, an all new TV experience awaits. #MiQLEDTV4K #QuantumLeapsAhead. December 16th,12 Noon. Stay Tuned”. The tweet is accompanied by a short 15-second video, highlighting the date and time along with the caption, “Quantum Leaps Ahead”. This is undoubtedly hinting at the QLED display the TV will come with. 

Mi Fans, an all new TV experience awaits. #MiQLEDTV4K #QuantumLeapsAhead December 16th,12 Noon Stay Tuned. pic.twitter.com/RUtB0PGUaj

— Mi India #Mi10TSeries5G (@XiaomiIndia) December 7, 2020 Mi QLED TV expected features and specifications

The Flipkart listing of the upcoming Mi QLED TV confirms the quantum dot backlighting for the TV. In 2020, we saw a number of QLED TVs launch but the one we got our hands on was the TCL C715. You can check out our review of the TV here. 

Coming back to the Mi QLED TV, the Flipkart listing has us intrigued with some specifications. One of the highlights is HDMI 2.1 with eARC. For the past 2 years, we have seen flagship TVs launch with support for eARC. While eARC is an HDMI 2.1 feature, most TVs have only support eARC and no other HDMI 2.1 features like VRR, ALLM and 4K at 120Hz. It will be interesting to see if any of these other features are supported on the TV. While Sony has the X90H (review) with two HDMI 2.1 ports, we have seen LG launch its 2020 OLED TVs and NanoCell TVs with all 4 HDMI ports supporting HDMI 2.1.

The Mi QLED TV also has support for dual-band Wi-Fi and this is important as 5GHz offers a better experience when streaming 4K video. Speaking of 4K, the supports the UHD resolution along with support for HDR 10+, and Dolby Vision. HDR 10+ is a step above HDR 10 as unlike HDR 10 which supports static metadata data for HDR content, HDR 10+ is a lot like Dolby Vision supporting Dynamic metadata. 

It looks like Xiaomi will continue offering a dual-OS for its Mi QLED TV giving users the beauty of Android TV and PatchWall. However, it remains to be seen if we get some new features or additions to PatchWall on this new TV. Xiaomi has been evolving PatchWall with new features on a regular basis. 

What will be interesting to see is whether the TV brings with it any dimming zones and what peak brightness it can achieve.

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Gionee caught intentionally infecting over 20 million phones with malware

Gionee has been charged by a Chinese court for intentionally installing malware on a huge number of its smartphones between December 2018 and October 2019. According to the China Judgment Document Network, the malware installed by the company was found to be infecting over 20 million smartphones with a Trojan Horse using an app.

The said application was reportedly being used as a means to display unsolicited ads without the permission of the user. The report suggests that the app was installed on the affected Gionee phones via OTA update of the Story Lock Screen app without user consent. A plug-in named "Dark Horse Platform" was installed on the app.

The report further suggests that in nine months, Shenzhen Zhipu (a subsidiary of Gionee) and Beijing Baice carried out the “pull activities” a total of 2.88 billion times. Starting in April 2019, the number of devices infected surpassed 21.75 million, out of which 26,519,921 Gionee mobile phones were infected in October 2019 alone. Shenzhen Zhipu and Beijing Baice are estimated to have made $4.2 million (Approx. Rs 31,46,80,729) from the fraud.

The Chinese court found Xu Li, Zhu Ying, Jia Zhengqiang, and Pan Qi guilty. While Xu Li, Zhu Ying, and Jia Zhengqiang have been sentenced for three years in prison and Pan Qi for six months. All of them have also been fined for CNY 200,000 (Approx. Rs 22,57,000).

Should Gionee users in India be worried?

Gionee has been synonymous with controversies in its home country China and also in India, which once was one of its key markets. It was also one of the first Chinese brands to set its foot in the Indian market. In 2018 however, the company sold its India operations with majority shares to the promoters of handset maker Karbonn Mobile.

The company, at this point, holds a tiny market share in India with little presence. But that doesn't directly imply that users in India remain unaffected from the malware. We are waiting for Gionee India to comment on the matter.

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Nokia 54 leaked specs reveals Snapdragon 662, quad cameras and more

The Nokia 5.4 budget phone is the centre of the latest leak that reveals key specifications of the upcoming smartphone. The Nokia 5.4 has been rumoured previously and is the successor to the Nokia 5.3 that was launched in August in India. Moreover, Nokia is also expected to announce the Nokia 3.4 by mid-December in India, which is another budget smartphone.

According to a report by MySmartPrice in association with popular tipster Sudhanshu Ambhore, the key specifications of the Nokia 5.4 have been revealed in a massive leak. The Nokia 5.3 launched at a starting price of Rs 13,999 and we expect the company to sell the Nokia 5.4 around the same price point when it launches in India.

HMD Global is preparing to release another mid-range smartphone the Nokia 5.4, and here are the exclusive full specs of it!#Nokia5dot4 https://t.co/t4E1y3OcTk

— Sudhanshu (@Sudhanshu1414) December 7, 2020

There is no official word on the launch of the Nokia 5.4 by HMD Global yet, as we expect to know more about it in the coming weeks. The company recently launched the entry-level Nokia 2.4 in India at Rs 10,399.

Nokia 5.4 leaked specifications

Being a budget smartphone, the Nokia 5.4 is expected to have a plastic build that measures 8.70 millimetres and weighs 182 grams. The phone will reportedly be offered in two colours, blue and purple. It features a 6.39-inch HD+ (1520 x 720 pixels) resolution display and will likely have a waterdrop notch for the front-facing camera.

The Nokia 5.4 is rumoured to be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 processor with an octa-core CPU and is paired with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. Besides, there is a microSD card slot that can be used to expand storage by upto 256GB. It runs on Android 10 out-of-the-box.

Nokia 5.4 is expected to have a quad-camera setup on the back that consists of a primary 48MP camera, a 5MP ultra-wide-angle camera, a 2MP macro camera and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie camera.

The phone could have a fingerprint reader on the back and is equipped with a 4,000mAh battery.

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Oppo working on Detachable Camera Module: Report

Smartphone companies these days are innovating new breathtaking technologies and adding to that list, it looks like Oppo is making a new detachable camera module, bringing a new way to take pictures.

As spotted by 91Mobiles, a new patent published by Oppo shows the designs for a removable camera module, giving users a new way to take pictures without the bulk of a phone. As per the paper, the module comes with its own Lithium-ion battery, and support for NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and a Type-C port for connectivity.

This even suggests that one can upgrade the camera module only instead of the phone completely to have a better camera experience.  As per the sketches, we can see that the camera has two image sensors and a pill-shaped flashlight between the camera lenses. A setup like this would lead the manufacturers to make a full-screen phone without a punch-hole or pop up selfie camera as the user would be able to use this modular camera to capture selfies.

This could also hint at an upgradable camera module in the future at an extra price for the concerned users. We should always take the patents with a grain of salt as not everything that is patented makes it to production and even to consumers hands. We have seen a lot of companies file patents for some incredible concepts, but only a few make it to mass production.

Nonetheless, Oppo will be one of the first companies to release a smartphone with the new Snapdragon 888 SoC. You can find the list of smartphones coming in 2021 with the new Snapdragon chipset here.

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Android 11 update for the Vivo V20 Pro now available in India: How to donwload

Vivo V20 Pro 5G has started receiving the Android 11 update after its launch in India. The mid-range smartphone arrived in India earlier in December joining the V20 and V20 SE. At the time of launch, the V20 Pro was running on Android 10-based Funtouch OS 11 and now the company is rolling out an OTA upgrade that upgrades the system to the latest version and brings in a host of features and optimizations.

The V20 Pro has started receiving an update to version "vivo rev 6.70.8" that updates the system to Android 11. The update weighs 3.59 GB in size so it is recommended to download it over Wi-Fi. The new update brings some system-level changes including the addition of notification history, priority chat that allows users to pin important notifications, chat bubbles functionality and more.

Do note that the update to Android 11 will not modify or delete any existing data on the phone so you can skip making a backup this time. You can check for the update on the V20 Pro by going to the Settings menu and choosing System update from the list. 

The Vivo V20 Pro is powered by the Snapdragon 765G processor that we have previously seen on the OnePlus Nord. It directly competes with the Nord in the way that it also features a dual-selfie camera on the front and supports fast charging out-of-the-box.

Vivo V20 Pro price and specifications

The V20 Pro is priced at Rs 29,990 for the sole 8GB+128GB storage model and is being offered in two colours-- Sunset Melody and Midnight Jazz.

Vivo V20 Pro features a 6.44-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution display that uses an AMOLED panel. There is a wide notch upfront that houses the two selfie cameras and the screen is also home to a fingerprint reader.

The phone measures 7.49 millimetres in thickness and weighs 170 grams. The back panel is made from AG Matte Glass that has a matte finish which makes it fingerprint-resistant.

The V20 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage. It runs on FuntouchOS 11 which is based on Android 10.

Vivo V20 Pro comes with a triple camera setup on the back that consists of a primary 64MP camera, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera and a 2MP monochrome sensor. On the front, there is a primary 44MP selfie camera and an 8MP ultra-wide-angle camera with 105-degree field-of-view.

The V20 Pro is powered by a 4,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging out-of-the-box.

 

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Cyberpunk 2077 is releasing on December 10 in India: Everything you need to know

Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most anticipated games of the year and the launch of the game is mere days away. In anticipation of the upcoming game, we thought we’d break down some common questions you may have about Cyberpunk 2077, where to play it, how to play it and how much the game will cost you. Here’s hoping you have taken some time off work, as the game is expected to be very long.

What platforms is Cyberpunk 2077 releasing on?

Cyberpunk 2077 will be playable on 9 platforms at launch. They are PS4, PS4 Pro, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox One X, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, Stadia and PC. While Stadia and the PS5 aren't officially in India, gamers who have their hands on the PS5 will be able to play the game. 

Is Cyberpunk 2077 optimized for the PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S?

The game will be playable on the new console generation, but full optimized versions will launch later. Developer CD Projekt Red has confirmed that Cyberpunk 2077 will work on the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S via backwards compatibility. If you own a physical copy of the game, you will be eligible for a physical upgrade of the game on the PS5 Disc edition and Series X only. However, if you own the game digitally, then you will get the upgrade on whichever next-gen console you have. There is no confirmed date for when the next-gen versions of Cyberpunk 2077 will be available.

How much will the game cost? And will the next-gen upgrade be free?

Yes, the next-gen upgrade for Cyberpunk 2077 will be free. However, you will have to log into your PSN or Xbox Live account, the same one with which you purchased the game. For the physical edition of the game, you will need to insert the disc in the console. 

As for the price, Cyberpunk 2077 is priced at Rs 3,999 for a physical copy on PS4 and Xbox One. Downloaded digitally from the PlayStation Store and Xbox Store, you can get the game for Rs 3,499. The game is priced at Rs 2,999 on Steam.  

When will the game be playable in India?

The official release date for Cyberpunk 2077 is December 10 in India. While one would think the game will be playable at midnight itself, you may want to check out this calendar which highlights when the game will be playable across the globe. 

How many versions of the game are there?

Unlike many games that come in 2 to 4 versions offering different in-game content and DLC, Cyberpunk 2077 is available in 2 versions only. One is the standard version which has the price tag mentioned above. The other is a collector's edition priced at Rs 24,999. The collector’s edition comes with the following features.

Collector’s Edition box

Case with game discs Collectible SteelBook 25 cm / 10-inch statue depicting V — the game’s protagonist — in action Hardcover artbook Metal pin set Quadra V-tech metal keychain An annotated copy of A Visitor’s Guide to Night City sealed in an NCPD Evidence Bag Embroidered patches World Compendium detailing the game’s setting and lore Postcards from Night City Map of Night City Sticker bomb set

 Digital goodies included:

Game soundtrack Art booklet featuring a selection of art from the game Cyberpunk 2020 sourcebook Wallpapers for desktop and mobile How long is Cyberpunk 2077?

The exact completion time isn't known for the game, but a developer of the game spent 175 hours in Night City and still hasn’t seen the credits roll. You can learn more about it here. 

Is there a day 1 patch for the game to download?

While there is a lot of information circulating the internet about a day 1 patch, know that the game is roughly 70GB overall on the consoles and PC. 

What are the PC system requirements for Cyberpunk 2077?

Contrary to popular belief, Cyberpunk 2077 doesn’t need a high-end rig to be playable. At the entry-level, you need an Intel Core i5 3570K CPU, 8GB RAM, a GTX 780 or Radeon RX 470 GPU. This will let you play the game at 1080p low setting. You can check out the various resolutions and configuration recommendations for Cyberpunk 2077 here. 

Is Cyberpunk 2077 on Xbox Game Pass?

Sadly, no. While CD Projekt Red’s last game, the Witcher 3 is there on Game Pass, Cyberpunk 2077 is not. 

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Japans Hayabusa2 spacecraft returns to Earth with asteroid sample after 6 long years

The next step in space exploration has always been a difficult proposition. Space is literally the most hostile environment out there and building spaceships that can traverse the cold darkness of space is an incredibly difficult task. Well, leave it up to the Japanese to figure that problem out as the Hayabusa2 space probe retired to Earth after a long 6-year journey. The space probe was tasked with retrieving samples of an asteroid called Ryugu and finally made completed its arduous journey back home. 

We observed the capsule re-entry from around Coober Pedy, with the assistance of Curtin Observatory. The observation was successful & here is our image!https://t.co/KTdV0G9moU Credit: Curtin University, Kouchi University of Technology, Nihon University, Ibaraki University, JAXA pic.twitter.com/qTFW8I8UD9

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) December 6, 2020

The mission was led by the Japan Aerospace Exploration AGnecy (JAXA) with the purpose of finding out more about the origins of the solar system and even the origin of water. It’s a heavy task for humanity but it looks like we will definitely get more answers to these all-encompassing questions soon enough. The Hayabusa2 was launched from the Tanegashima Space Centre in 2014 and landed on Ryugu after four years of travelling through the harshest environment known to man. The spacecraft then made its way back to Earth in 2019 after collecting the relevant samples from the asteroid.  

Capsule collection! The helicopter team immediately flew to the location identified by the DFS team. They searched for the fallen capsule by using radio waves and maps. Thank you very much! (Collection Team M)#Hayabusa2#はやぶさ２#AsteroidExplorerHayabusa2 #HAYA2Report pic.twitter.com/KSyEbnU3Yd

— HAYABUSA2@JAXA (@haya2e_jaxa) December 6, 2020

The Hayabusa2 landed in Australia around the Woomera area, 450kms north of Adelaide. The Hayabusa team tweeted out images of the retrieval of the asteroid sample with even Elon Musk chiming in. As fas as scientific research goes, this is a huge step forward. Asteroid are believed to be some of the oldest formations in the universe and unlocking its secrets could give us answers to questions that we may not have even asked. 

This truly is a huge step forward for space exploration as even India is taking steps to prepare for the eventual future in space with projects like the Chandraayaan missions. 

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