Heres how you can get your hands on a Microsoft Xbox Series X for free

The new generation of consoles from Microsoft and Sony may have launched, but getting hold of them is as easy as catching a greased up pig. However, it looks like there is a way users can try and get their hands on the Xbox Series X (review). Microsoft and Taco Bell India have partnered to announce the #CravingMeetsGaming weekly lucky draw. As part of the draw, Taco Bell will give out 15 Xbox Series X consoles. There are also giveaways of a 6-month membership to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

How to partake to win a free Xbox Series X

In order to partake in the lucky draw, users will have to download and register on the Taco Bell app and place an order through delivery. This could be via the app or through food-delivery aggregators, or even takeaway, or dine-in. Do keep in mind that the order should be at least Rs 59. Doing so will make them eligible for the #CravingMeetsGaming weekly draw.

Gaurav Burman, Director, Burman Hospitality Private Limited, Taco Bell’s Master Franchise Partner in India stated, “We are delighted to start the new year with a unique offer for our customers. Gaming has become hugely popular in India, and we are excited to have 60 Xbox Series X consoles to give away to our loyal fans. We look forward to welcoming our customers to our stores or encourage them to order from our newly launched app to enjoy our signature menu items and also increase their chances of winning!”

To recall, the Microsoft Xbox Series X and the more affordable Series S were launched on November 10. However, the units went out of stock almost as soon as pre-orders were made available. As of writing, both the consoles are out of stock on Amazon and Flipkart. Even the Sony PlayStation 5 has the same problem with the console out of stock with most manufacturers. However, it should be noted that Sony’s console is set to launch in India on February 2.

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Xiaomi could be working on Redmi K40 with Snapdragon 7350, 64MP cameras, OLED screen and more

Xiaomi has already confirmed that it is planning to launch the Redmi K40 series in February. The latest leak by popular tipster Digital Chat Station indicates that a new mid-range smartphone could be in development with the yet-unannounced Qualcomm Snapdragon 7350 processor. The K40 series is expected to consist of the Redmi K40 and Redmi K40 Pro where the latter is likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 888.

This leaves the standard Redmi K40 as the likely candidate to get the new Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Popular tipster Digital Chat Station posted on Weibo about a new mid-range phone with an OLED screen with a punch-hole cutout and 64MP camera with 5x zoom. The tipster has not revealed the name of the phone, however, as per rumours, it could be called the Snapdragon 775G. 

The Redmi K40 series has been leaked previously and could feature an AMOLED screen, large capacity battery and 120Hz refresh rate. There’s no official word on the launch of the Redmi K40 series in India yet.

Having said that, Xiaomi India executive has confirmed that they are planning to bring the Mi 11 lineup to India which could consist of Mi 11, Mi 11 Lite and Mi 11 Pro. It should be noted that Xiaomi has only launched the Mi 11 in China and is readying it for a global launch. There have been rumours about the Mi 11 Lite and Mi 11 Pro from a while now and both the phones could get unveiled in February.

The Mi 11 features a 6.81-inch QHD+ (3200x1400 pixels) resolution display that uses an AMOLED panel with support for 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is also topped with a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus for added protection.

Xiaomi Mi 11 has a triple camera setup on the back that consists of a primary 108MP camera with an f/1.85 aperture, a 13MP ultra-wide-angle camera with 123-degree field-of-view and a 5MP macro camera. On the front, there is a 20MP selfie camera housed within the punch-hole cutout.

The Mi 11 is equipped with a 4,600mAh battery with 55W fast charging support and 50W fast wireless charging support.

 

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A WhatsApp malware claiming you could win mobile phone is here to steal your data

Some Android users have been receiving a WhatsApp message that asks you to download an app to win a free mobile phone. If you have also received such a message, make sure you don't fall for the trap as it might risk your data like your contact list and personal details.

As per ESET malware researcher Lukas Stefanko, Android users are at a high risk of getting affected with the wormable malware. The message that's being referred here reads "Download This application and Win Mobile Phone". Stefanko dug into the malware and found that the message prompts users to download a fake Huawei app, asks for several permissions including notification access to instantly reply to WhatsApp messages that carry a link to the scammer's site. He further added that the malware through the victim's WhatsApp by automatically replying to any WhatsApp message notification with the link to the malware.

Stefanko says, "The worm spreads via messages to WhatsApp contacts only when the last received message by the victim was sent more than an hour ago." He suspects that the delay has been put intentionally to avoid suspicion among victim's contact as receiving a link as a response to every message might alert them. 

A Twitter user by users name @ReBensk first saw and reported the malware. He claims that the malware aims to get advertising revenue for its operators using the fraudulent trick.

Android WhatsApp Worm? Malware spreads via victim's WhatsApp by automatically replying to any received WhatsApp message notification with a link to malicious Huawei Mobile app. Message is sent only once per hour to the same contact. It looks to be adware or subscription scam. https://t.co/NYbh2A9Y6M pic.twitter.com/2tFgLyG94O

- Lukas Stefanko (@LukasStefanko) January 21, 2021

The malware is currently being exploited as an adware scam, but it said to have the potential to distribute banking trojans, ransomware, or spyware.

Don't fall for the Huawei app

The Huawei app might look authentic if you don't pay attention to details, but its unavailability on the Play Store should alert you. For those who don't know, downloading apps from the Play Store is safe as it puts a layer of security to verify the developer's authenticity. The malware asks you to download an app from the web to get through those security layers, which in general, is the biggest red flag.

“This is a malicious app that tricks people into downloading it and sending phishing messages through permissions granted by the Android operating system. We are reporting this to the domain provider that the phishing service is using to take action and to protect against this abuse,” a WhatsApp spokesperson was quoted as saying MailOnline.

If you install the app, it will request you to enable permissions like sending notifications, access to draw over apps, and ignore battery optimization. DO NOT DO IT! Even if you download an app from the Play Store, make sure you understand why it needs that permission and what does it compromise.

What to do with such messages on WhatsApp?

We suggest you disregard such messages, block and report the sender and delete the message right away. Also, always avoid engaging with the message, even for fun, as you might put yourself and your contacts in potential harm.

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Garena Free Fire South Asia Showdown: Battle of the Stars tournament announced, to take place on Feb 6

Garena has announced that it will be hosting the Free Fire South Asia Showdown: Battle of the Stars. The event will take place on February 6 and will feature notable Free Fire streamers from India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The tournament is touted as Free Fire’s first-ever esports tournament for the South Asia region.

The press release for the announcement stated, “The Free Fire community has continued to expand in South Asia and across the world, with the mobile battle royale game the most downloaded mobile game globally in 2020, according to App Annie. Through the Free Fire South Asia Showdown: Battle of the Stars, Garena will look to continue its efforts to excite and delight its fast-growing South Asian community with exciting Free Fire content, and to support and develop the incredible online community in the region.”

Free Fire South Asia Showdown: Battle of the Stars format and prize

The tournament will feature a total of 12 teams, with three teams from each of the four regions. These teams will compete for a prize pool of 1 million in-game diamonds. The winning team will get 500,000 in-game diamonds. The first and second runners-up will be awarded 300,000 and 200,00 in-game diamonds respectively.

Teams

India

Total Gaming (19.4 Million YT Subs) Desi Gamers (7.8 Million YT Subs) Two-Side Gamers (6.85 Million YT Subs)

Bangladesh

GamingwithNayeem (1.6 Million YT Subs) Illusionist YT (479K YT Subs) Gaming With Zihad (698K YT Subs)

Nepal

Sooneeta (3.26 Million YT Subs) Bshow Mgr (399K YT Subs) Tonde Gamer (2.37 Million YT Subs)

Pakistan

RKG ARMY (1.77 Million YT Subs) Unusual Gamer (81K YT Subs) The Skinzo FF (75.5K YT Subs)

The Free Fire South Asia Showdown: Battle of the Stars tournament will be live-streamed on the Free Fire Esports India, and Free Fire Bangladesh Official’s YouTube and Facebook accounts. It will also be streamed on Garena’s BOOYAH!', which is Garena's own streaming platform. Further, matches will feature commentary in Bengali, English, Hindi, Nepali and Urdu.

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WhatsApp security features everyone should use to safeguard their privacy online

The WhatsApp privacy policy update has left many users with a feeling of distrust with many users planning to jump ship to viable alternatives such as Telegram and Signal. According to a survey conducted across eight cities of India and published by CyberMedia Research (CMR), over 79% of WhatsApp users are considering to drop the instant messaging service and switch to alternatives.

While WhatsApp has time and again reiterated that it does not keep a track of users chats or calls, the company has done little to inspire faith in its users. Save for an India-wide newspaper campaign and using its Status update, WhatsApp has tried to curb the criticism by outlining its security features. Here are some of the security features on WhatsApp that you should definitely use to safeguard your privacy.

WhatsApp End-to-End encryption

WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption by default and each chat is labelled as “end-to-end encrypted”. What this means is that all messages, calls and status updates that you send are kept between you and the receiver only. Each of your WhatsApp contacts has a designated security code that ensures that all conversations exchanged between two contacts are secured.

Security Code change alert

WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption to ensure that the personal chats between users stay secure. The company assigns a security code to each chat that users can also verify. In the event of a change in the security code, you can choose to enable security notifications to alert you. This usually happens when WhatsApp is reinstalled or installed on a new device.

Two-step verification

WhatsApp provides additional security for users via two-step verification. WhatsApp's users can choose to enable two-step verification that requires a PIN every time you register your phone number with WhatsApp or log in from a different device.

By enabling the two-step verification, you will need a six-digit pin code to log into your WhatsApp account on a new device. As a security measure, WhatsApp will also ask users to enter the PIN code every 72 hours. 

To enable two-step verification, go to the Setting menu on WhatsApp and select Account. Here, select Two-Step verification from the list and tap on enable. After this, you will need to enter a six-digit pin code followed by your email address. Once done, the two-step verification will be enabled on your account. 

WhatsApp Disappearing messages

WhatsApp's users can choose to erase all messages exchanged in a chat with the new Disappearing messages feature. Once enabled for a chat, all messages exchanged between two users will disappear after seven days. All messages sent before the feature update will be saved though so users don’t need to worry about losing past conversations. 

WhatsApp has released the feature for users in India. To enable the feature, users will have to manually enable it for individual chats, while group admins will be able to enable it for everyone in the group.

WhatsApp biometric security

Today we’re starting to roll out a new security feature for WhatsApp Web and Desktop: face and fingerprint unlock when linking devices. WhatsApp does not see your face or fingerprint data. Chats for your  onlyhttps://t.co/qR3zsexzfj pic.twitter.com/Ei5G35MPpA

— WhatsApp (@WhatsApp) January 28, 2021

WhatsApp has added a biometric security feature for iOS and Android devices that adds a layer of protection on your personal chats. Apple iPhone users can use TouchID or FaceID to authenticate their login while Android users can secure WhatsApp with a fingerprint lock.

WhatsApp has stated that it does not keep a record of your fingerprint or facial scans. The biometric security feature is also applicable on WhatsApp Web.

To set a biometric security password on WhatsApp, go to the Settings menu and select Accounts. Tap on Privacy and scroll down to Fingerprint lock/ Touch ID or Face ID. Here, you can tap on the toggle to enable unlock with fingerprint or facial unlock.

 

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Netflixs The Sandman Cast Revealed

Attempts to adapt “The Sandman”, based on Neil Gaiman’s groundbreaking graphic novel series, has been an ongoing charade for decades now. After having cycled through numerous studios and horrendous scripts within that timespan, Netflix finally swooped in and fixated on a 10-episode format to depict the dark fantasy tale. With production well underway on season one, we have now gotten our first look at the primary cast members.

 

There. A whole set of tweets written just before bed and set to go out when I'm fast asleep. I'm vaguely worried that I've mistimed them, but too late now. Here are the first seven members of the #Sandman cast to be announced officially. Seven down, hundreds to go. pic.twitter.com/DksGLyMkBf

— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) January 28, 2021

 

As evident from the tweet above, the lineup features an ensemble cast with a few familiar names thrown in there. Tom Sturridge is all set to play the tall and lanky, pale-faced protagonist - Dream (aka Morpheus), lord of the ethereal realm known as The Dreaming. Roping in two stars from Game of Thrones, we have Charles Dance as the blackmailing occultist - Roderick Burgess, while Gwendoline Christie is cast as Lucifer Morningstar, the ruler of hell. With this adaptation, Gaiman will be making significant changes to the source material, including changing the time period from 1989 to the present-day 21st century. Which clearly explains Lucifer’s gender change. Another character getting similar treatment would be the head librarian, Lucienne, portrayed by Vivienne Acheampong. Adding on, we have Boyd Holbrook playing The Corinthian, an escaped nightmare-turned-serial killer with the weirdest set of eyes. Sanjeev Bhaskar and Asim Chaudhry top-out the roster as Cain and Abel, respectively, fulfilling the role of eternal murderer and victim. As described by Neil Gaiman, this is just seven of the hundreds of cast members to follow.

DC Comics / Vertigo’s The Sandman is a dark fantasy title that follows Dream, the personification of dreams who has been imprisoned by a mortal wizard for 105 years. Upon escaping, he embarks on a treacherous journey to find and reclaim his totems of power - a pouch of sand, a helm, and a ruby. In the original story, “Preludes and Nocturnes”, our lead, Morpheus is only locked up for 72 years. But since Netflix’s adaptation takes place in 2021, Gaiman agreed to extend the time period accordingly. The series is co-written by Neil Gaiman himself, Allan Heinberg (Wonder Woman) and David S. Goyer (The Dark Knight Trilogy), with all three executive producing. Heinberg will also serve as the showrunner.

In a statement with Variety, creator Neil Gaiman spoke briefly about his excitement and process for this adaptation. “For the last thirty-three years, the Sandman characters have breathed and walked around and talked in my head. I'm unbelievably happy that now, finally, they get to step out of my head and into reality. I can't wait until the people out there get to see what we've been seeing as Dream and the rest of them take flesh, and the flesh belongs to some of the finest actors out there. This is astonishing, and I'm so grateful to the actors and to all of The Sandman collaborators — Netflix, Warner Bros., DC, to Allan Heinberg and David Goyer, and the legions of crafters and geniuses on the show — for making the wildest of all my dreams into reality.”

Following the hugely successful debut of The Sandman audiobook in 2020, Amazon’s Audible is all on-board to renew the narrative for two additional acts. It will again be directed by Dirk Magg and Neil Gaiman, and will feature the voices of James McAvoy, Kat Dennings, Taron Egerton, Riz Ahmed, and Andy Serkis amongst others.

Neither the Netflix adaptation nor the audiobook sequel(s) features a potential release window.

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FAUGs rating on Google Play Store drops down to 35 stars

It has been barely a week since the launch of FAUG and the popularity of the gaming is taking a nosedive. As of writing, the game has a rating of 3.5 stars on the Google Play Store, with 4,68,278 reviews. This drop is quite evident when one takes into consideration that the game had a rating of 3.9 within a day of launch.

How FAUG competitors fare

This low-rating hits even harder when one takes into account competing games like Garena Free Fire and Call of Duty: Mobile. Both these games have ratings of 4.3 and 4.5 stars, respectively. It should also be noted that both these games have a much higher number of reviews as they have been available for years.

What users say about FAUG

The poor rating of FAUG boils down to the fact that the hype surrounding the game was almost palpable before launch. But the final product was not up to the level players expected.

One Google user, Neelabh Chatterjee, gave the game a rating of 2 stars and commented, “Expectations and the reality are different things. But even so there has to be some things which must be done properly. Presently the game does not have guns. Ok I get it. But if you are going to go for a hand-to-hand combat it still must be better than this. Moves and sequences include mashing on a single button. Block works like 1 out 5 times. When in combat there are weird glitches like fighting direction suddenly changes. Not to mention that parts of the game are repetitive. Hope it improves.” As of writing, this comment was marked by 239 users as helpful.

Even in our review, we noted that while the idea behind the game was good, the execution was lacking. We found movement to be quite limited, while gameplay was quite repetitive to say the least. You can check out our detailed review here.

nCore Games also plans to release a multiplayer component to the game. However, before that, the developers will definitely need to improve the core gameplay. We have also jotted down five things the devs can do to make the game better. Click here to take a look at that.

If you want to download the game and try it out for yourself, then you should check this out.

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