Asus could be working on Zenfone Mini compact flagship, ROG Phone 5 launch expected by April

Asus could be working on Zenfone Mini which is expected to be a compact flagship smartphone, as per the latest report. Asus has two smartphone series: the Zenfone and the ROG Phone lineup that is refreshed every year. The company also released a mid-range Zenfone Max Pro M-series but didn’t continue its development after two iterations. 

According to a fresh report by DigiTimes (via Notebookcheck), Asus wants to improve its smartphone business after a lukewarm Q3 2020 due to the pandemic and supply chain disruptions that ensued. Asus understands that it has lost some footing and wants to expand its smartphones portfolio. The Zenfone Mini is expected to be a compact flagship smartphone similar to Sony’s Xperia Compact phone.

There are no details about the Zenfone Mini just yet, but it is expected to feature a smaller display than the Zenfone 7 from 2020 which had a 6.67-inch screen. There is a scarcity of compact smartphones as more people now prefer to use large screen devices. However, Asus could likely want to tap into this compact smartphone segment in an attempt to ensure it stays afloat in the various smartphone markets around the world.

Asus could be following Apple’s footsteps, in that, the Cupertino giant also released the iPhone 12 Mini, a compact smartphone with the same flagship performance as the standard model. However, it remains to be seen when the Zenfone Mini breaks cover. 

That being said, the same report by DigiTimes also hints at the possible launch of the ROG Phone 5 by April or March-end. The ROG Phone 5 has been leaked in the past few weeks revealing its design and key specifications. 

The ROG Phone 5 is rumoured to be powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor with a triple camera setup on the back headlined by a 64MP primary camera. 

Asus ROG Phone 5 could feature a 6.78-inch Full HD+ display with an AMOLED panel and 144Hz high refresh rate. It could be equipped with a 6,000mAh battery that supports 65W fast charging out-of-the-box. 

 

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How to download the Public Test Build for Call of Duty: Mobile

The next Public Test Build for Call of Duty: Mobile is now out for Android and iOS. Activision uses the Test Build to test out new features and experiment with the gameplay. It also gives players the chance to check out new additions and features before they are available to the public.

How to download Call of Duty: Mobile Public Test Build

There are two versions of Call of Duty: Mobile’s Public Test Build available for Android users. Namely, a 32bit and 64bit version. Higher-end or newer devices should install the 64bit version. The 32it version is for lower-end and/or older devices. The developers recommend downloading the 64bit variant if users have no issues running the current version of Call of Duty: Mobile on either high or the highest setting.

Those on iOS will need to have Apple’s TestFlight application installed on their phones in order to try the Public Test build for themselves.

Android (64bit)

Android (32bit)

iOS TestFlight

It should be noted that Activision has a general cap on the number of players that can be a part of the Public Test Build. So the 64bit version of the build on Android has a cap of 20,000 players, while the 32bit version has a cap of 10,000. The iOS TestFlight version of the build also has a cap of 10,000 players.

Players also have no way to know if the Public Test build is full till they have to register. As such, players have no option but to try installing the full game. Activision will update the game's official Reddit page when all the spots are taken.

New content in the Public Test Build of Call of Duty: Mobile includes two new multiplayer maps, Shoothouse and Shipment 2019. There are also new Night Modes, Sword and Stones mode and more. Other additions include the Bull Charge Operator Skill, new perks and more. There is no guarantee that the features included in the Public Test Build will make it to Call of Duty: Mobile in the next major update.

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Black Shark 4 Pro allegedly makes an appearance on Google Play Console

The Black Shark 4 and Black Shark 4 Pro could launch soon as the latter has allegedly been spotted in a listing on the Google Play Console. A Black Shark phone codenamed ‘Penrose’ with the model number PRS-A0 appeared on the Play Console. Previously, another Black Shark phone codename ‘kaiser’ with model number KSR-A0 was seen listed which indicates that the PRS-A0 could, in fact, be the Black Shark 4 Pro.

According to a report by PriceBaba, the Black Shark phone features a Full HD+ display with a 2400 x 1080 pixels resolution and 440 PPI density. The listing also reveals that the phone is powered by the Qualcomm SM8250 which is the Snapdragon 865 processor. This could be a placeholder to hide the actual CPU details since the phone is likely to be powered by the Snapdragon 888 processor.

Similarly, the alleged listing for the Black Shark 4 mentioned a Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood which is unlikely since it is now a dated processor. So we will advise our readers to take these details with a grain of salt. 

That being said, we also get a glimpse of the upcoming phone as the listing is accompanied by a product photo. We get to see the front of the phone with six buttons and toggles on the right and left edge. These could be the volume buttons and touch-sensitive trigger buttons. There’s also the centrally-aligned selfie camera on the top. 

We still do not know a lot about the Black Shark 4 series but previous leaks have indicated that the Black Shark 4 could have a 6.67-inch display with a 4,500mAh battery that supports 120W fast charging out-of-the-box.

Black Shark is yet to reveal an official date for the launch of the Black Shark 4 series, but we will be keeping an eye out for any developments.

 

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WhatsApp rolling out Mute video option: What it is and how it works

WhatsApp has been in the news in India a lot recently for its privacy policy issues. But today we are focusing on a new feature that’s available in WhatsApp beta. The information comes from WhatsAppBetaInfo. The new feature lets users mute a video before sending it to a contact. The ability to mute a video before sending it available in the 2.21.3.13 update.

According to WhatsAppBetaInfo, “After releasing the 2.21.3.13 update, WhatsApp is finally rolling out something new for their beta testers: the possibility to mute videos before sending it to a contact!”

Mute WhatsApp video before sending

The feature is pretty handy if you need to send someone a video but don't want to send the background audio. Previously you would have to resort to third-party software to do the same and then send the video. This feature is obviously very handy to a specific set of people, but it’s nice that the feature has made an appearance. There is no information as to when the feature will be available in the final version of WhatsApp.

In other WhatsApp news, there is a malware making the rounds on the instant messaging service. If you receive a message that reads, "Download This application and Win Mobile Phone” then we suggest you avoid it. 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. As a general security practice, you should not click on any unknown link, even if it shared with you by a known contact. You can learn more about the new malware here.

Sticking with WhatsApp security, the service has given users the option to implement biometric authentication for WhatsApp for Web or the desktop app as an added layer of security. This will prevent others that have your device from logging into WhatsApp for Web. You can learn more about the biometric authentication here.

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Samsung Galaxy A12 could launch in India next week

As per a report by MySmartPrice, it looks like the Samsung Galaxy A12 could launch in India as early as next week. The information comes from known leaker Ishan Agarwal. There are 2 variants of the smartphone that launched in Europe, and it isn't clear if one or both the variants will launch in India.

Samsung Galaxy A12 Specifications and Features

Speaking of the specifications of the Samsung Galaxy A12, the smartphone sports a 6.5-inch HD+ TFT display. It has a resolution of 720×1500 pixels. The 8MP selfie camera is housed in the small waterdrop notch on the display's top.

At its heart, the smartphone has the octa-core MediaTek Helio P35 processor. The Samsung Galaxy A12 comes in 2 variants - 4GB RAM with 64GB storage and 6GB RAM with 128GB storage in the European market. It isn't clear if one or both these variants will launch in India. For the cameras, the smartphone has a quad-camera setup at the back. It has a 48MP primary sensor paired with a 5MP ultra-wide-angle sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor.

A 5,000mAh battery powers the entire package. It also supports 15W fast-charging and has a USB-C port. The smartphone also features the endangered 3.5mm headphone jack. It has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that is integrated with the power button for security.

Samsung Galaxy A12 Price in India

The 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant of the Samsung Galaxy A12 is priced at EUR 179 (Rs 15,700 approx directly converted), and the 6GB RAM with 128GB variant is priced at EUR 199 (Rs. 17,500 approx directly converted). The India price of the smartphone isn't known.

In other Samsung news, the Samsung Galaxy F62 is listed online ahead of its official launch. The device is listed on Flipkart and Samsung official e-store. You can learn more about the Samsung Galaxy F62 here.

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Xiaomi Mi 11 series launching globally today: What to expect and how to watch the event live

Xiaomi will launch the Mi 11 series globally today and it could mark the debut of the much-rumoured Mi 11 Pro and Mi 11 Lite. The Mi 11 launched as the first Snapdragon 888-powered smartphone in December 2020 and now it seems like the company is ready to announce a Pro and an affordable variant in the lineup. 

The global pricing of the Mi 11 series has also leaked online and it could start from EUR 799 for the base variant. Xiaomi will also be launching the Mi Electric Scooter Pro 2 globally alongside the Mi 11 series and more ecosystem products. Here is how to watch the launch of Mi 11 and what to expect from the upcoming products.

Xiaomi Mi 11 series global launch: How to watch it live

Xiaomi has scheduled the global launch of the Mi 11 lineup at 5:30 PM IST on February 8. The event will be live-streamed on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. We have embedded the relevant links below, and you can even visit the YouTube live stream to set a reminder for when the launch begins.

Make every day special with #MovieMagic. Watch the #Mi11 global launch at 20:00 (GMT+8) on February 8, 2021! https://t.co/QWqPZ4WAaQ

— Xiaomi (@Xiaomi) February 1, 2021 Xiaomi Mi 11 specifications

Xiaomi Mi 11 features a 6.81-inch QHD+ (3200x1400 pixels) resolution display that uses an AMOLED panel with support for 120Hz refresh rate. It has a new design with curved edges and a squircle camera module. The screen is also topped with a layer of Gorilla Glass Victus for added protection. 

The Mi 11 also 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. Xiaomi has equipped the Mi 11 with a 4,600mAh battery that supports 55W fast charging and 50W fast wireless charging.

We can expect Xiaomi to launch the Mi 11 series in India in the next few weeks. A Xiaomi India executive has already confirmed that they are looking to bring the entire Mi 11 lineup to India soon. There’s no official date for the India launch yet, but we will keep you posted whenever it is revealed.

 

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CD Projekt Focusing on Improving Cyberpunk 2077, CEO Says After Global Backlash

CD Projekt is focusing on improving Cyberpunk 2077 and restoring the trust of players and partners disappointed with its flagship game, the group's CEO said.

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