Vivo V9 with 6.3-inch FHD+ 19:9 FullView display, 24MP front camera, dual rear cameras, Android 8.1 announced

Vivo just announced V9, the company's latest smartphone in the 'V series' and the successor of last year's V7 at an event in Thailand. It has a 6.3-inch FHD+ 19:9 2.5D curved glass display with a notch, 90% screen-to-body ratio and 1.75mm slim bezels. It is powered by Snapdragon 626 with 4GB RAM, runs Android 8.1 (Oreo) with Funtouch OS 4.0, has 16-megapixel rear camera along with a secondary 5-megapixel camera to capture the depth information for portrait shots. It has a 24-megapixel front camera with A.I face beauty for a perfect image event in low-light or glare and has face unlock. It also lets you add stickers to images, which it calls AR Stickers. It has a metal and glass design, comes with dedicated dual SIM and microSD slots and packs a 3260mAh battery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HlW5BXEDhEA Vivo V9 specifications 6.3-inch (2280 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 IPS display 2.2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 626 Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 4GB RAM, 64GB internal memory, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) Funtouch OS 4.0 based on Android 8.1 (Oreo) 16MP rear camera with LED flash, secondary 5MP camera 24MP front-facing camera with soft LED flash Fingerprint sensor Dimensions: 154.81 x 75.03 x ...

WhatsApp reportedly working on bringing support for JioPhone powered by KaiOS

WhatsApp is said to be working on bringing its chat application to KaiOS that is currently powering the JioPhone in India. Since JioPhone is a sensation in India, companies like Google and Facebook have already bought their Assistant and Core apps for KaiOS platform.  KaiOS; post the JioPhone has started to signup more deals which includes HMD Global, Qualcomm, Facebook, Twitter, and Google for Google Maps, and Google Search. Going by the reports, it's not too long before we see WhatsApp on a device running KaiOS. The company is said to be currently working on developing the app for KaiOS platform and bring the app for Jio Phone users. The reference of the WhatsApp for KaiOS was found in the latest WhatsApp beta for Windows Phone 2.18.38, indicating the presence of a new platform that can be connected to WhatsApp servers. However, we still don't know when the new native WhatsApp for KaiOS devices will be available and what it will be offering. Though there are workarounds for making WhatsApp work on JioPhone, it is a lengthy process. Source

Nubia V18 with 6.01-inch FHD+ display, Face Unlock, 4000mAh battery announced

ZTE's nubia brand just announced nubia v18, the company's latest mid-range smartphone in the new 'V series', as it had promised. It has a 6.01-inch FHD+ 18:9 2.5D curved glass display, is powered by Snapdragon 625 with 4GB RAM, runs Android 7.1 (Nougat) with Nubia UI 5.1, has a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash, PDAF for fast focus in 0.1 seconds and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera with beautify and support face unlock that can unlock the phone in seconds by scanning 106 facial recognition points. It has a metal finish, features a fingerprint sensor on the back and a 4000mAh battery with NeoPower 3.0 technology and ability to charge other devices using USB OTG. Nubia V18 specifications  6.01-inch (2160 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 2.5D curved glass display 2GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 625 Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 4GB LPDDR3 RAM, 64GB storage, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 7.1 (Nougat) with nubia UI 5.1 Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano/microSD) 13MP rear camera with LED flash, f/2.2 aperture 8MP front-facing camera, f/2.0 aperture Fingerprint sensor Dimensions: 158.7x 75.5x 7.75mm; Weight: 170g 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, GPS + GLONASS 4000mAh battery The Nubia V18 comes in Black, Red and Gold colors, is priced ...

Facebook Messenger gets new admin privileges and joinable links

Facebook is rolling out an update to the Messenger which brings new admin privileges, joinable links and more. With admin controls, admins can now approve new members before they join your group chat which is really helpful in large group chats with people you may not yet be connected to. Furthermore, the admin will also have the ability to remove members if needed and promote or demote any other person in the group chat as an admin. Since the admin controls work in the background, it won’t get in the way of your group messaging. It will also have the option to decide if you would like admin approval for approving new members, but this preference is off by default in your group chat settings. http://ift.tt/2DM2w4K Facebook says that the admin privileges in Workplace Chat are also rolling out today. Additionally, Facebook is also bringing new joinable links. Anyone in the group chat can create a custom invite link and share it with someone they’d like to join the conversation. People who tap on the link will be automatically added to the group given that approvals are off, but if the approvals are on, users will only be added once the admin has approved the request. The update with ...

Google said to be acquiring imaging startup Lytro for $40 million

According to a latest report citing industry sources, Google is said to be acquiring innovative camera startup Lytro for $40 million. Lytro as a company has started off as a ground-breaking camera company for consumers and move onto VR using its depth-data, light-field technology.  Neither Google nor Lytro commented on the matter, but sources who connected either to the deal or the companies confirm about the acquisition, according to the report. While one source said that the Lytro is going for no more than $40 million, while the other source claim that price was even lower than $25 million. There are also reports from sources that employees are not coming over with the company’s technology; some have already received severance and parted ways with the company, and others have simply left. The acquisition might also include Lytro’s 59 patents related to light-field and other digital imaging technology. On the other hand, this isn't a big win for Lytro as well, as the company raised over $200 million in funding and was valued at around $360 million after its last round in 2017. So, the $40 million isn't the dream exit the company would have imagined. While the hardware remains hard; VR has not grown as fast as some had thought that ...

Instagram now lets you add hashtags and profile links in bio

Instagram is now rolling out a new update that will let you have hashtag and profile links in the bio, which according to the company is a new way to express yourself and the things you care. Now when you include a # or @ in your bio, they will become live links that lead to a hashtag page or another profile. With hashtag and profile links in the bio, users will have the option to express more about themselves right in the profile. The company says that users can link to any hashtag or profile they want. To add hashtags, you will have to click on edit profile and go to the bio section. From there, when you type a # or @, you will see a list of recommended hashtags and accounts in the typeahead. Once you select the hashtags and accounts you want, they will automatically be linked to your bio. Instagram will notify users when you link others in your bio and can choose to remove the link to their profile. Their profile will remain in your bio but without a link. Source

Xiaomi Mi Casual, City and Travel Backpacks launched in India starting at Rs. 899

Xiaomi launched its Mi Business Backpack in India back in August last year. Today the company has launched 3 new backpacks - Mi Casual Backpack, Mi City Backpack and Mi Travel Backpack in India, in its Mi Ecosystem. Highlights of Xiaomi Mi Casual Backpack Classic design with checkered pattern gives it a school look Offers both two shoulder straps and a single shoulder strap Made of 600D polyester which is used in high-end garments making it thick, durable and has anti-splash body Fits 15.6" laptop and a tablet in front. Front pouch can fit keys, cards, wallets etc. Comfortable and durable sandwich-style back plate provides good support for the back. Soft, comfortable back strap reduces stress on your spine. Special cross stitching process makes the backboard shock resistant, stable and comfortable Pock found on both sides, which can hold a bottle of water or an umbrella  YKK Zipper quality assurance, thumb straps on the backpack provides a better fit and helps in better balance and reduces back pressure The shoulder straps handles and front pockets have reinforcement, and effectively resist external wear and tear, for more strength and more durability Front side of the bag has a plastic handle and can be used as ...

Apple introduces new spring Watch bands starting at $49

Apple has introduced the new Watchband spring collection which includes the Woven Nylon bands with a fresh stripe that alternates white with color, exclusive Nike bands that color-match with the latest Nike running shoes and a striking new edge paint color for Apple Watch Hermes bands. The Nike Sport Loop will be available in a black/pure platinum combo, bright crimson/black, cargo khaki, midnight fog, and pearl pink. There’s also the Nike Sport Band which will now be available in a barely rose/pearl pink combo, black/white, and cargo khaki/black. The Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) will include new 38mm and 42mm Space Gray Aluminum Case with Black Sport Loop models. The Apple Watch Hermes bands feature an accent color in single Tour Rallye, and Double Tour bands will now have contrasting paint details. The 38mm Double Tour in Indigo with rouge H polished edge and rouge H contrasted loop, the 38mm Apple Watch in Double Tour in Blanc with rouge H polished edge and rouge H contrasted loop. While the 42mm Single Tour Rallye in Indigo with rouge H polished edge and rouge H contrasted loop and the 42mm Single Tour Rallye in Blanc with rouge H polished edge and rouge H ...

Facebook vows to crackdown platform abuse, CEO Mark Zuckerberg finally opens up about Cambridge Analytica data misuse

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has finally opened up about the on-going Cambridge Analytica that is said to have the possession of Facebook user data that was improperly obtained which was a breach of Facebook’s trust. The company has vowed to crack down on platform abuse and it has announced future steps and plan of action. The company says that it will take action on potential past abuse and put stronger protections in place to prevent future abuse. [HTML1] Facebook says that it had reviewed and investigated all the apps that had access to large amounts of information before it changed the platform in 2014 to reduce data access, and now Facebook will conduct a full audit of any app with suspicious activity and will ban anything that is misusing the information. Once it bans the suspicious apps, it will now let users know about the same and that their data has been misused. It also said that it will turn off apps that the user hasn't used in the last three months and will turn off the app’s access to their information. Facebook will also change the login system and in the next version, it will reduce the data that an app can request without app review ...

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Review

Samsung launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ smartphones in India last week starting at Rs. 57,900. As the name indicates, the S9 is the eighth smartphone in the ‘Galaxy S’ series. Even though both the phones don't feature a major improvement in terms of design, display and the battery, the S9+ stands out with its dual rear cameras. Is the Galaxy S9+ a good successor to the S8+? Let us find out in the review. Unboxing We unboxed the smartphone recently, check out the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYi1V_sB9cU Box Contents Samsung Galaxy S9+ smartphone 64GB version in Coral Blue color Samsung charger with Adaptive Fast Charging (9V-1.67A/5V-2A) USB Type-C cable USB Type-C OTG connector In-ear earphones tuned by AKG SIM ejector tool Quick start guide and warranty information Display, Hardware and Design The Galaxy S9+ comes with a 6.2-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED Infinity display with a resolution of 2960 × 1440 pixels at 529PPI, aspect ratio of 18.5:9 and a screen-to-body ratio of 84.2%, which is slightly more than the S8+ and the Note8. Since the phone has AMOLED display blacks are perfectly black. At the launch the company said that the screen is 15% brighter outdoors compared to the S8+. Due to the aspect ratio content doesn’t extend to the sides of the phone when ...