Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact
Sony is expected to announce their Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact smartphones on the first public day of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018, in Barcelona. Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact are said to the company’s first devices to feature 18:9 aspect ratio bezel-less display. Other than bringing the new-age edge-to-edge immersive displays, the smartphones are also likely to add to the first batch of Qualcomm Snapdragon 845-powered devices. The leaks have revealed almost everything about the devices and there is hardly anything new to know about these handsets. The new phones will feature 3D glass surface on both sides of the aluminium frame. The phone will come in a glossy finish. Colour options expected for Xperia XZ2 include black, silver, green, and pink.
It is expected that the smartphone will pack a combination of two 12-megapixel sensors at the back, along with a 15-megapixel sensor at the front for selfies and video calling. Other features include a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, “S Force” stereo speakers and a haptic feedback system. You can find out everything that's coming up in the world of Sony Mobile by following the live feed here:-
It is expected that the smartphone will pack a combination of two 12-megapixel sensors at the back, along with a 15-megapixel sensor at the front for selfies and video calling. Other features include a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, “S Force” stereo speakers and a haptic feedback system. You can find out everything that's coming up in the world of Sony Mobile by following the live feed here:-
Nokia launches its first 4G feature phone smartphone
BARCELONA: HMD Global, the maker of Nokia-branded mobile handsets, has expanded its portfolio by launching five new phones --Nokia 8 Sirocco, Nokia 7 Plus, new Nokia 6 and Nokia 1, and said that the year 2018 will be a critical year for the company's ambition to be one of the top smartphones players globally.
Florian Seiche, CEO of HMD global said that the company sold 70 million new Nokia phones in the first year of operations. "It has given us the confidence to double down in 2018 and beyond. Our long-term ambition is to be one of the top smartphones players globally...2018 will be a critical year in this journey. We will expand product portfolio, deepen presence in markets we have entered and go selectively into new markets," he said during the launch event in Barcelona, Spain.
HMD has also joined hands with Google to launch its first Android Go (Oreo) Edition smartphone, Nokia 1, which is targeted at emerging markets like India.
In India, Reliance Jio, along with a slew of domestic and Chinese handset players are planning to bring their Android Go-based ultra-affordable smartphones to the market. Micromax, for instance, is planning to launch its Android Go smartphone at around Rs 2,000.
The company has also its 4G feature phone, Nokia 8110, Nokia 7 Plus, a new Nokia 6, and the Nokia 8 Sirocco, which is HMD's most premium offering. The 4G feature phone comes with Google assistant, Google maps, Facebook and Twitter, and also features Wifi hotspot function. "As networks transition to 4G, it is our job to get people connected," Juho Sarvikas, CPO of HMD Global said.
Seiche said that feature phones have always been a key strength for Nokia. "We are no 1 globally in value, much ahead of expectations...we are among top 5 brands in 15 markets globally, for smartphones.
Florian Seiche, CEO of HMD global said that the company sold 70 million new Nokia phones in the first year of operations. "It has given us the confidence to double down in 2018 and beyond. Our long-term ambition is to be one of the top smartphones players globally...2018 will be a critical year in this journey. We will expand product portfolio, deepen presence in markets we have entered and go selectively into new markets," he said during the launch event in Barcelona, Spain.
HMD has also joined hands with Google to launch its first Android Go (Oreo) Edition smartphone, Nokia 1, which is targeted at emerging markets like India.
In India, Reliance Jio, along with a slew of domestic and Chinese handset players are planning to bring their Android Go-based ultra-affordable smartphones to the market. Micromax, for instance, is planning to launch its Android Go smartphone at around Rs 2,000.
The company has also its 4G feature phone, Nokia 8110, Nokia 7 Plus, a new Nokia 6, and the Nokia 8 Sirocco, which is HMD's most premium offering. The 4G feature phone comes with Google assistant, Google maps, Facebook and Twitter, and also features Wifi hotspot function. "As networks transition to 4G, it is our job to get people connected," Juho Sarvikas, CPO of HMD Global said.
Seiche said that feature phones have always been a key strength for Nokia. "We are no 1 globally in value, much ahead of expectations...we are among top 5 brands in 15 markets globally, for smartphones.
XPS 13 2018
The new Dell XPS 13, like the old model, is a fantastic laptop. It’s small, yet quick. Portable, yet versatile. And it still looks fantastic. The 13-inch laptop category remains incredibly competitive — but, once again, the XPS 13 has come out on top.
But wait! Before you open your wallet to buy the best version you can, there’s something you should know. The most expensive XPS 13 isn’t the best.
The problem is the display. The top-tier model has upgraded from the old, awkward 3,200 x 1,800 panel to a new 4K screen that’s more competitive with other laptops in its category. Sounds great, right? Yet in our testing, the 4K version scored behind the 1080p model in color accuracy and contrast. The upgraded screen looks sharper, but colors don’t appear as vibrant, and images have less depth.
Then there’s battery life. The 1080p model endured for 13 and a half hours in our video loop test, while the 4K version lasted three hours less. That’s a big difference. It likely doesn’t help that the 4K model we reviewed had a more powerful, and more power-hungry, Core i7 processor.
Despite those disadvantages, you must pay for the privilege of owning a 4K screen. Adding it to one of the less expensive configurations tacks an incredible $400 on the price. Yet, as we’ve just shown, all you receive for the money is a higher display resolution. The screen is actually inferior in some regards — and will chew through the XPS 13’s battery far quicker.
That’s not $400 well spent, is it?
Dell doesn’t struggle with the problem of 4K alone. Other laptops we’ve tested have had similar issues if upgraded to 4K. We’re sure that some buyers do crave the added resolution, falling into the old trap of assuming more is better. In fact, it would’ve been stupid for Dell not to include it as an option. Many competitors offer it, so Dell would’ve looked behind the times if it were missing. This is the trend.
The fact an option is offered doesn’t mean you have to check the box, however — and in the case, it’s smart to show restraint. We reviewed the $1,199 and $1,899 version of the XPS 13 side-by-side, and our verdict was clear: The less expensive model was better. You can even opt for the Core i7 processor while retaining the 1080p screen if you really need the extra performance.
But wait! Before you open your wallet to buy the best version you can, there’s something you should know. The most expensive XPS 13 isn’t the best.
The problem is the display. The top-tier model has upgraded from the old, awkward 3,200 x 1,800 panel to a new 4K screen that’s more competitive with other laptops in its category. Sounds great, right? Yet in our testing, the 4K version scored behind the 1080p model in color accuracy and contrast. The upgraded screen looks sharper, but colors don’t appear as vibrant, and images have less depth.
Then there’s battery life. The 1080p model endured for 13 and a half hours in our video loop test, while the 4K version lasted three hours less. That’s a big difference. It likely doesn’t help that the 4K model we reviewed had a more powerful, and more power-hungry, Core i7 processor.
Despite those disadvantages, you must pay for the privilege of owning a 4K screen. Adding it to one of the less expensive configurations tacks an incredible $400 on the price. Yet, as we’ve just shown, all you receive for the money is a higher display resolution. The screen is actually inferior in some regards — and will chew through the XPS 13’s battery far quicker.
That’s not $400 well spent, is it?
Dell doesn’t struggle with the problem of 4K alone. Other laptops we’ve tested have had similar issues if upgraded to 4K. We’re sure that some buyers do crave the added resolution, falling into the old trap of assuming more is better. In fact, it would’ve been stupid for Dell not to include it as an option. Many competitors offer it, so Dell would’ve looked behind the times if it were missing. This is the trend.
The fact an option is offered doesn’t mean you have to check the box, however — and in the case, it’s smart to show restraint. We reviewed the $1,199 and $1,899 version of the XPS 13 side-by-side, and our verdict was clear: The less expensive model was better. You can even opt for the Core i7 processor while retaining the 1080p screen if you really need the extra performance.
Samsung Galaxy S9&S9+ Specs
- OS: Android 8 (Oreo)
- Display: 5.8-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED, 18.5:9 (529ppi)
- Body: 147.7mm x 68.7mm x 8.5mm, 163g, IP68
- Rear Camera: Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor with OIS (F1.5/F2.4)
- Front Camera: 8MP AF (F1.7)
- Application Processor: 10nm, 64-bit, Octa-core processor (2.8 GHz Quad + 1.7 GHz Quad)
- Memory: 4GB RAM / 64GB + Micro SD Slot (up to 400 GB)
- Battery: 3,000mAh
- Charging: Fast Wired Charging compatible with QC 2.0 / Fast Wireless Charging compatible with WPC and PMA
- Network: Enhanced 4X4 MIMO / CA, LAA, LTE Cat.18
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB type-C, NFC, Location (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou)
- Payment: NFC, MST
- Sensors: Iris sensor, Pressure sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint sensor, Gyro sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, HR sensor, Proximity sensor, RGB Light sensor
- Authentication: Lock type: pattern, PIN, password
- Biometric lock type: iris scanner, fingerprint scanner, face recognition
- Intelligent Scan: biometric authentication with iris scanning and facial recognition
- Audio: Stereo speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Atmos enabled surround sound
- Audio playback format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, APE, DSF, DFF
- Video: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM
- Virtual Reality: Gear VR with Controller (SM-R325NZVAXAR), Google Daydream View
Samsung Galaxy S9+ Specs
- OS: Android 8 (Oreo)
- Display: 6.2-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED, 18.5:9 (570ppi)
- Body: 158.1mm x 73.8mm x 8.5mm, 189g, IP68
- Rear Camera: Dual Camera with Dual OIS / Wide-angle: Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor (F1.5/F2.4), Telephoto: 12MP AF sensor (F2.4)
- Front Camera: 8MP AF (F1.7)
- Application Processor: 10nm, 64-bit, Octa-core processor (2.8 GHz Quad + 1.7 GHz Quad)
- Memory: 6GB RAM / 64GB + Micro SD Slot (up to 400 GB)
- Battery: 3,500mAh
- Charging: Fast Wired Charging compatible with QC 2.0 / Fast Wireless Charging compatible with WPC and PMA
- Network: Enhanced 4X4 MIMO / CA, LAA, LTE Cat.18
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4/5GHz), VHT80 MU-MIMO, 1024QAM, Bluetooth® v 5.0 (LE up to 2Mbps), ANT+, USB type-C, NFC, Location (GPS, Galileo, Glonass, BeiDou)
- Payment: NFC, MST
- Sensors: Iris sensor, Pressure sensor, Accelerometer, Barometer, Fingerprint sensor, Gyro sensor, Geomagnetic sensor, Hall sensor, HR sensor, Proximity sensor, RGB Light sensor
- Authentication: Lock type: pattern, PIN, password
- Biometric lock type: iris scanner, fingerprint scanner, face recognition
- Intelligent Scan: biometric authentication with iris scanning and facial recognition
- Audio: Stereo speakers tuned by AKG, Dolby Atmos enabled surround sound
- Audio playback format: MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, APE, DSF, DFF
- Video: MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM
- Virtual Reality: Gear VR with Controller (SM-R325NZVAXAR), Google Daydream View
Second Pokemon Go Community Day Event Takes Place This Weekend
Here's your chance to get a Dragonite with Draco Meteor.
Pokemon Go's second Community Day is right around the corner. The real-world event takes place this Saturday, February 24, and will give players around the world another opportunity to earn in-game bonuses and obtain a rare Pokemon with a special move.
Unlike past real-world events for Pokemon Go, Community Day isn't localized at a specific venue; rather, the event takes place during a set window of time, which will differ depending upon your region. In the US, the Community Day kicks off at 11 AM PT / 2 PM ET and runs until 2 PM PT / 5 PM ET, while Europe's event begins at 10 AM GMT and concludes at 1 PM GMT.
During the event hours, players will earn triple the normal amount of Stardust for any Pokemon they capture, while Lure Modules will last for three hours. Additionally, each Community Day features a particular rare Pokemon, which will spawn in greater numbers and is capable of learning an exclusive move that it can't normally use in Pokemon Go. This time around, the featured Pokemon is the Dragon-type Dratini.
For the duration of the Community Day, players will encounter increased swarms of Dratini. If you manage to evolve its evolution, Dragonair, into a Dragonite during the event, the Pokemon will learn the powerful Dragon-type attack Draco Meteor. This applies to any Dragonair you own, even ones that were obtained prior to this month's Community Day. However, the Pokemon will only learn Draco Meteor if it evolves during the event hours.
In addition to this month's Community Day, players still have an opportunity to capture Pokemon Go's latest Legendary Pokemon, Rayquaza. The powerful Gen 3 Dragon-type will appear in Raid Battles at Gyms until March 16. Rayquaza arrived earlier this month alongside a new batch of Gen 3 Pokemon, which also included Salamence, Metagross, and Altaria.
Honor the New Year with a Safari Zone event at the Chiayi Lantern Festival!
https://pokemongolive.com/en/post/chiayisafarizone/
Dratini, Mr. Mime, Growlithe and many other Pokémon will be appearing at the Pokémon GO Safari Zone event among the lanterns during the daytime, starting at 7:00 AM. At 5:00 PM, as the lanterns begin to glow, Trainers will see Chinchou and Lanturn in the wild! There will also be Pokémon to discover around Puzi City and the rest of Chiayi County, so make sure you walk around and enjoy all that Chiayi has to offer. And of course, don’t miss the beauty of the lanterns, which will bring good health, wealth and love in the New Year.
We also want to extend our thoughts and condolences to those affected by the nearby earthquake. We hope those lanterns will bring the people of Taiwan comfort, and we sincerely wish you healing and a strong recovery.
OnePlus 6 with an edge-to-edge screen could be coming real soon
It would seem odd for a company to release an updated version of its phone so soon — the OnePlus 5 launched to rave reviews only four months ago — but it wouldn't be an unprecedented move.
Last year, OnePlus replaced the OnePlus 3 with the 3T less than half a year after its release, and it didn't appear to hurt the company or its bottom line.
When I asked OnePlus's head of marketing Kyle Kiang why it was launching the 3T so quickly after the 3, he told me the company's small size and scrappiness means it doesn't need to follow annual launch cycles. It launches new products when they're ready, and if that means it's sooner than fans expect, then so be it.
The report claims the new 5T might come with a larger 6-inch 18:9 aspect ratio display with curved edges. The screen's resolution might also finally get a bump up from 1,920 x 1,080 to 2,160 x 1,080. That's a higher-resolution display than the OnePlus 5's, but still short of the crisper displays Samsung and LG use in their flagship phones.
Not else is known about the purported 5T, except that it might resemble a Galaxy S8 with slim bezels above and below the display.
When OnePlus launched the 3T, it included a slightly faster processor, better front-facing camera, and larger battery. It's possible a 5T could include improvements beyond the screen. What's likely to remain is the dual camera system on the back, which enables Portrait mode like on the iPhone 8 Plus.
And if the 3T is any indication, the 5T could also cost more. OnePlus built its brand allegiance with premium design and specs with affordable pricing, but it's already shown that it's not against hiking prices with each new device. Even if you don't like the higher pricing, OnePlus' phones still usually cost hundreds less than competitors. With Samsung and Apple's best phones now at the $1,000 price range, OnePlus has plenty of wiggle room between $500-$1,000.
Apple iPhone SE2: Rumours
The original iPhone SE was announced in March 2016, but it didn't get a significant update in 2017. (It just got a bump in storage to 32- and 128GB.) Instead, it's looking like the iPhone SE will get an update in spring 2018, with March looking most likely. Find out more about the next Apple event here.
However, a report from a Chinese website at the end of February 2018 is suggesting that the iPhone SE2 will launch at WWDC in June. The last time Apple introduced an iPhone at WWDC was in June 2010 and we think it would be an unusual fit for Apple to introduce a new version of its entry-level handset at that show. WWDC is a developer conference with a particular focus on software and high-end products.
A FocusTaiwan report in August 2017 suggested that the new iPhone SE would launch in the first quarter of 2018. And in Feb 2018 the Taiwan Electronic Times (via the Chinese-language site MyDrivers) predicted an iPhone SE 2 launch in March, albeit with minimal design changes from the SE.
Another report, this time by the Taiwanese market research company TrendForce, believes a new iPhone SE 2 is coming in the first half of 2018.
Another report claims that the SE2 will launch in India prior to launching in other territories. This sounds dubious to us, although it might fit with Apple's plans to offer a cheaper handset to certain territories (normally Apple does this by offering an older version of the iPhone to certain countries).
The iPhone SE is currently available in 32GB and 128GB versions. In the UK the 32GB model costs £379; 128GB is £479. (For comparison, in the US the iPhone SE costs $399 for 32GB and $449 for 129GB.)
Apple’s latest iOS update fixes Telugu character bug that crashed iPhones
Apple’s latest iOS update fixes Telugu character bug that crashed iPhones
Apple has started rolling out a new iOS update, version 11.2.6, which fixes the bug that caused iPhones and apps such as iMessages, Facebook and WhatsApp to crash due to a Telugu character. The bug also affects Safari and the built-in Messages app on macOS and the Apple Watch.
How Telugu iOS bug worked
When the Telugu character is sent in an iMessage, it can freeze up the entire Messages app on all of a person’s Mac and iOS devices.
The Messages app will then refuse to function properly until the offending character is removed by deleting the conversation with the person who sent it.
In some situations, if the character is viewed through an iOS notification, it can cause the entire device to crash.
iOS bug turns into prank
Shortly after the bug was discovered, some users started to send out tweets featuring the Telugu characters in an attempt to crash others’ iPhones.
Some even inserted the buggy character into their Twitter names. Mashable notes that the tweets caused Twitter apps to crash for several iPhone users.
Apple has started rolling out a new iOS update, version 11.2.6, which fixes the bug that caused iPhones and apps such as iMessages, Facebook and WhatsApp to crash due to a Telugu character. The bug also affects Safari and the built-in Messages app on macOS and the Apple Watch.
How Telugu iOS bug worked
When the Telugu character is sent in an iMessage, it can freeze up the entire Messages app on all of a person’s Mac and iOS devices.
The Messages app will then refuse to function properly until the offending character is removed by deleting the conversation with the person who sent it.
In some situations, if the character is viewed through an iOS notification, it can cause the entire device to crash.
iOS bug turns into prank
Shortly after the bug was discovered, some users started to send out tweets featuring the Telugu characters in an attempt to crash others’ iPhones.
Some even inserted the buggy character into their Twitter names. Mashable notes that the tweets caused Twitter apps to crash for several iPhone users.
Elon Musk tweets video of SpaceX’s first broadband satellites in space
The demonstration satellites, named Tintin A and Tintin B, are being used to test SpaceX's future Starlink broadband service. Once all the necessary testing has been completed, the launch of operational satellites could begin sometime in 2019.
SpaceX's ultimate goal is to provide gigabit broadband worldwide, but the first tasks for these demo satellites are a bit simpler. Musk also tweeted that the satellites "will attempt to beam 'hello world'... when they pass near LA" on Friday morning.
"Don't tell anyone, but the Wi-Fi password is 'martians,'" Musk added. "That was a DM, right?"
Falcon 9 launch
The satellites were deployed this morning from SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. Check out our earlier coverage for more on that launch. It was originally scheduled for Saturday, February 17 but was delayed a couple of times.
For more on the topic of SpaceX's broadband plans, see our article from last week. According to the plan, SpaceX's satellites will have low Earth orbits, allowing them to provide Internet service with latency similar to cable and fiber services. That should make SpaceX broadband a lot more pleasant to use than existing satellite services.
SpaceX plans to launch operational satellites in phases over a five-year period and reach full capacity with 4,425 satellites in 2024. SpaceX has also proposed an additional 7,500 satellites operating even closer to the ground, saying that this will boost capacity and reduce latency in heavily populated areas.
SAMSUNG S9 AND S9+
SAMSUNG S9 AND S9+
Galaxy S9 specifications
As far as technical details go, we are expecting the Galaxy S9 to come with processors from both Qualcomm and Samsung's own semiconductor branch. US models should come with a Snapdragon 845, and the global S9 will have a SoC based on Samsung's second-generation 10-nanometer process. It is not known yet what number Samsung will slap on their own Exynos chip.
Memory-wise, we're expecting Samsung to continue the path set by the Galaxy Note 8. In other words, we're expecting no less than 6GB of RAM in the Galaxy S9. And though it is not known, we do not expect Samsung to raise the base model's storage above 64GB just yet.
Galaxy S9 design
As Samsung launched the impressive 'Infinity' look of the Galaxy S8, it was clear this is not just a one-off design gimmick. And indeed, the Note 8 is based on the same blueprint. Knowing Samsung, the next generation of devices will not change too much on this front. Therefore, the Galaxy S9 will once again come with the trusted dual-edge display, no home key, and a panel that covers an impressively large part of the phone's front.
Unfortunately, at the moment it does not seem like the fingerprint sensor will make its way to the display. Although Samsung has taken a lot of slack for putting it on the back of the Galaxy S8, we actually still think it is a pretty convenient place. It takes some getting used to though. And as the iris scanner gets faster and better, there will be less need to use it anyway.
Galaxy S9 display
Concerning the display of the Galaxy S9 only one question matters. Will the device bring the long-awaited bump in resolution to a 4K UHD pixel count? This step is needed in order to evolve not only the visual experience of Samsung's flagship phones but the Gear VR ecosystem as well. At this point in time, however, tangible details have yet to emerge.
Galaxy S9 camera
Since the Galaxy Note 8 brought the biggest improvement to Samsung's camera game in two years, the Galaxy S9 will probably rock a comparable dual cam setup. In order to keep up with competition, Samsung might increase aperture, optical zoom or widen the angle of view, but that is just speculation on our part. However, we do expect more details to emerge before this year is over.
Galaxy S9 software
In 2017, the Galaxy S8 was released with the Samsung Experience UX, formerly known as Touch Wiz, version 8.1. The Note 8 came out with version 8.5, so it is not hard to spot the pattern. Or at least, it would not be a long shot to expect the Galaxy S9 to be released with SE 9.0. Needless to say, the S9 will ship with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box, just because this is how Samsung does these things.
As for specific features, there is no doubt the Galaxy S9 will have the same App Pairfunction seen on the Note 8. With App Pair, you can add shortcuts to the phone's edge display, that bring up not one, but two apps in multi-window mode.
It is, of course, likely Samsung will have more tricks up her sleeve for the Galaxy S9. However, more details will have to come to light in the coming months.
Galaxy S9 battery
The same applies to the Galaxy S9's battery. It will be interesting to see where Samsung takes the mobile battery game. The company has famously burned its fingers on the Note 7 in 2016, opting for a more conservative approach in 2017's flagship devices. Will we see the Galaxy S9 pushing capacity boundaries once again? Or do the Koreans now primarily seek longevity through further optimization of hard- and software? It will be the S9 providing the answer.
GALAXY S9
THE GALAXY S9 is just a month away from becoming official, with Samsung confirming that its 2018 flagship will see a launch at MWC in February.
It's unlikely the impending unveiling will have many surprises in store, though, as we already know a hell of a lot about the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, courtesy of the online rumour mill.
We've rounded up everything we know about the handset so far below.
Specs- 5.8in / 6.2in QHD+ Super AMOLED curved display (570ppi / 529ppi)
- Samsung 10nm Exynos 9810 CPU (4x 2.9GHz, 4x 1.9GHz)
- 4GB RAM / 6GB RAM
- 3,000mAh / 3,500mAh batteries
- 64GB storage with microSD expansion up to 400GB
- Cat 18 LTE support (1.2Gbps download speeds)
- Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, front-facing iris scanner
- 12MP Dual Pixel camera with OIS (f/1.5, f/2.4) / Vertical dual rear-facing camera, 8MP front-facing camera
- Bixby AI assistant with dedicated button
- USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Stereo speakers
- Wireless charging support
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Built-in FM radio
- Updated DeX docking station
- Midnight Black, Titanium Gray, and Coral Blue, Lilac Purple variants
- Samsung 10nm Exynos 9810 CPU (4x 2.9GHz, 4x 1.9GHz)
- 4GB RAM / 6GB RAM
- 3,000mAh / 3,500mAh batteries
- 64GB storage with microSD expansion up to 400GB
- Cat 18 LTE support (1.2Gbps download speeds)
- Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, front-facing iris scanner
- 12MP Dual Pixel camera with OIS (f/1.5, f/2.4) / Vertical dual rear-facing camera, 8MP front-facing camera
- Bixby AI assistant with dedicated button
- USB-C, 3.5mm headphone jack
- Stereo speakers
- Wireless charging support
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Built-in FM radio
- Updated DeX docking station
- Midnight Black, Titanium Gray, and Coral Blue, Lilac Purple variants
Release dateSamsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will launch on 25 February at MWC.
WhatsApp Payments rolling out to Android, iOS users; all you need to know to get started
WhatsApp Payments will enable normal users of the application to transfer money with the same ease as sending a text message. After the completion of the setup the user will be able to send other individuals using WhatsApp.
WhatsApp commands a strong user base of 250 million across India. Introducing a person-to-person payment feature for all of them gives the messaging application an advantage from the get-go over other digital transaction applications. To put things in context, Paytm has 180 million users in the country, whereas Google Tez, another UPI-based payment application, crossed 12 million users in India last year four months after its launch.
However, the option may not be visible to every user. Users that have received the feature can introduce it to others by making transactions with that particular person. Currently, the UPI-based payment option will not be available for merchant interaction and can only be used by individual accounts.
The user will have to link their respective bank accounts with the application. However, the WhatsApp number should be the same as the number attached with the bank.
The transactions in WhatsApp Payments will be made through bank accounts linked to Unified Payments Interface (UPI), allowing users transact between accounts of different banks. This works in the favour of the messaging application as transaction between different digital wallets is still not an option.
However, there is no word on utility payments coming to WhatsApp Payments anytime soon, which could give the e-wallets an edge over it. Users actively using the feature will be another factor that has to be considered after the launch of WhatsApp Payments.
The UPI-based payment feature has been spotted in WhatsApp beta version 2.18.41 for Android and 2.18.21 for iOS. It is available in the chats attachment menu along with Documents, Gallery, Audio, Location and Contact. Selecting the payments option takes the user to a disclaimer followed by list of banks. User can now choose from this list of banks the one to be linked to UPI. Users will have to create an UPI account, through UPI application or their bank's website, and an authentication PIN will if they are using the UPI payments platform for the first time.
Moreover, the WhatsApp payments feature seems to be coming exclusively to India. Even among beta testers, only a few can see the feature. There have been no confirmation of a transaction been made through the WhatsApp payment feature, though. Users have been complaining about problems with linking their bank accounts to UPI, which is to be expected considering the beta status of the feature. But its launch is expected to happen soon on both Android and iOS platforms.
Apart from this, the Facebook-owned messaging application is also reportedly working on a group video calling feature. The latest option has been seen on WhatsApp's beta version 2.18.39, reported WABetaInfo. But, there's no option to switch from video to audio call. You can add up only three people at a time.
WhatsApp is also planning to launch a sticker packs on its app, as seen in the Facebook messenger application. This will allow users to post stickers suiting their moods instead of only emojis.
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Skydio R1 consumer drone in the sky
AUTONOMOUS SKYDIO R1 DRONE – THE NEXT LEVEL Skydio was founded by Adam Bry, Abe Bachrach, and Matt Donahoe, who met as grad students at ...
