Snapchat Map Explorer will make it easier to find friends

Snapchat has introduced the new Maps Explore that will make it easier to find friends who are hanging out without you. Snapchat says that the Explore will update automatically when friends take a road trip, fly someplace new like visiting a landmark or attend a big festival, and more. With just a single tap, you can start a new conversation, and you will also get updates for other moments like breaking news, events, and trends that you might want to see. However, the downside to this is that Explore will only include updates from the friends who are sharing their location with you on Snap Map. Sharing the location on Snap Map is opt-in. So, if you have never visited Snap Map before or are in Ghost Mode today, your friends won’t be able to see your location. The Snap Map Explorer feature will be rolling out globally over the next few weeks to both Android and iOS. Source

Google Files Go finally gets smart search, Google Photos integration

Google is finally rolling out the much-needed update to its File Go app. The update brings the ability to search for files on your phone just like you search the internet. The search will have Google's expertise in the search including instant results, search history, autocomplete and filters. Now, when you open the Files tab, you can tap the search icon and find all of your files on your phone and it works offline too. Though the Files Go app deletes duplicate files, it doesn't show you the location. But with the latest update, you will be able to see the location before you delete. All you got to do is just long press on the thumbnail, tap the “i” icon and see the location of the file. Another biggest addition is now Files Go works seamlessly with Google Photos. Once your photos and videos are safely backed up in Google Photos, Files Go app can detect that and prompt you to delete those files so you free up more space. The update is already rolling out and you can download the app directly from the Play Store. Source

Telegram crosses 200 million monthly active users, gets sticker search, Multi-Shot sending and more

Telegram just announced that it has crossed 200,000,000 or 200 million monthly active users  and is also rolling out a new update to Android and iOS bringing new features like sticker search, Multi-Shot sending, connected websites, and more. With the updated app, whenever you type one emoji, you will see suggestions not just from the sticker sets you've added, but also from other popular sets. It also added the new search for sticker sets will let you scroll up in the sticker panel to find the new search field that will help you find something quickly be it a set you've added, or a brand new pack. Furthermore, the new '+' icon will let you take and send multiple media one after another. The Auto-Night Mode which was already available on Android, it is now rolling to iOS as well.  You can automatically switch to the dark version of the interface after nightfall or in low-light conditions. The iOS update also brings text formatting in media captions, reporting individual messages in public entities, and adds a section where you can manage connected websites. The Telegram update brings iOS app version to 4.8 and 4.8.5 for Android. The update is already available and you can download from Play Store and App Store. Commenting on the 200,000,000 user ...

Google Assistant now lets you send or request money

With Google Assistant you can now send peer-to-peer payments or request payments from your contacts easily. Starting today, users in the U.S. will be able just to say commands like "send money to" both on Android or iPhone and Assistant will take you through the steps to send the money via Google Pay. If you haven't setup the Google Pay account yet, Google will take you through the process as soon as you ask the Assistant to send money to your contacts. The payments are made instantly even if the recipient doesn’t have a Google Pay account. Your friends and family will receive an email, text message, or notification if they already have the Google Pay app installed so that they can cash out. Earlier this year, Google finally rebranded Android Pay/Google Wallet to Google Pay. If at all you have used the payments options in Gmail, you most definitely already have a Google Pay account and don't need to setup again. Transactions with Assistant will require authentication with either your fingerprint or your Google password. Google also mentioned that the ability to send money on voice-activated speakers like Google Home in the coming months. Source

Instagram changes algorithm to show newer posts, testing ‘New Posts’ refresh button

Instagram today announced that it is testing a “New Posts” button that lets you choose when you want to refresh, instead of it refreshing automatically. This change is to ensure the posts you see are timely. The 'New Posts' button will now take you to new posts at the top of the feed. Instagram believes that this will make browsing more easy and enjoyable. Furthermore, it is said that it is changing the algorithm to ensure that newer posts appear first in the feed. Ths changes are made to make your feed fresher, and you won’t miss the moments that you care about. Instagram said that it would share more about improvements it is preparing to feed in the coming months. Since it is testing the 'New Posts' button, we don't actually get to see how exactly it is going to look and when it will be rolling out to users. Instagram initially used to display posts in chronological order in feed, showing the newest Instagram posts first when you opened up the app. In 2016 it changed it to view posts based on relevancy. Instagram in a blog post has said: Based on your feedback, we're also making changes to ensure that newer posts are more likely ...

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro Review

The sheer hype around Xiaomi's successful Redmi series is not for nothing. Time and time again, the Redmi Note series has proved itself by offering a product that effectively straddles that thin line between performance and value. With the introduction of the Redmi Note 5 Pro though, the company is obliterating the few sacrifices it had to make to hit a certain price point and is taking the fight to the competition.  Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro specifications 5.99-inch (2160 × 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18:9 2.5D curved glass display with 450 nits Brightness, 83% NTSC Color Gamut, 1500: 1 Contrast Ratio, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 Protection 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 636 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 509 GPU 4GB / 6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 64GB (eMMC 5.0) storage, expandable memory up to 128GB with microSD Android 7.1.2 (Nougat) with MIUI 9 Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano / microSD) 12MP rear camera with dual-tone LED Flash, Sony IMX486 sensor, 1.25μm pixel size, f/2.2 aperture, PDAF, secondary 5MP camera with Samsung sensor, 1.12μm pixel size, f/2.0 aperture 20MP front-facing camera with Sony IMX376 sensor, f/2.2 aperture, LED flash, 1080p video recording Fingerprint sensor, Infrared sensor Dimensions: 158.6×75.4×8.05mm; Weight: 181g 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n (2.4GHz + 5GHz), ...

JioFi 6 Unboxing and Demo – 4G Wireless Hotspot for Reliance Jio

New JioFi 6 (JMR815) 4G wireless hotspot in a round design went on sale recently  exclusively on Flipkart. Here we have the unboxing and demo of the new Wireless Data Card .   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmvqEVK3Oi4 Box Contents JioFi 6 4G Wireless Hotspot in Black color 2-pin charger (5V-1A) Micro USB cable 3000mAh battery User manual and warranty information The new JioFi has a round design with large Jio logo on the front. It 74 x 74  x 20 mm and weighs just 95 grams. On the side there are LED indicators for battery level, signal strength and WiFi strength. You also find a power and WPS buttons. This has WiFi 802.11 b/g/n support and lets you connect up to 31 WiFi-enabled devices and a device through USB cable. It is powered by Altair ALT3800 processor with 128MB RAM and 256MB ROM. It supports band 3 (1800 MHz), 5 (850 MHz) and 40 (TD 2300 MHz) for Jio. You can make voice and video calls even on a 2G/3G phone by installing Jio4GVoice app and connecting it to the hotspot over WiFi. On the other side there is a micro USB port for charging the device and for PC / laptop connectivity. You have some introductions mentioned on the sticker on the back. It ...

Vodafone launches VoLTE services in Karnataka staring from Bengaluru, Mysore and Belgaum

After Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Goa and Rajasthan,Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh (UP) west, Vodafone has launched its VoLTE (Voice Over LTE) services in Karnataka in India, as it had promised. It is currently available in Bengaluru, Mysore and Belgaum, and will gradually roll out across other cities in the state. Vodafone is calling it Super VoLTE and said that the technology delivers high-quality sound over voice calls across the Vodafone SuperNet 4G network so that users will experience ultra-clear voice quality and reduced background noise. If you have a VoLTE enabled handset, you can SMS 4G CHECK to 199 to know if you your smartphone is Vodafone Super VoLTE compatible. If you have Dual SIM handset, Vodafone SIM should be inserted in the SIM slot with data capability and network mode should be set as “4G/3G/2G (Auto)”. Vodafone already said that it will roll out VoLTE in Kolkata soon, and will extended the service across the country in a phased manner over the next few months. You can check out the list of Vodafone VoLTE supported devices here. Commenting on the launch, Amit Kapur, Business Head – Karnataka, Vodafone India, said: We have been making significant investments to expand, upgrade and modernise our network to ensure that we provide the ...

​​Vodafone India, Idea announce new leadership team ahead of merger

In March last year Vodafone India and Idea Cellular announced merger of both the companies, which was expected to close last year. Earlier this week the companies said that the management team of the combined business would be confirmed prior to closing, which is now expected to complete in the first half of the current calendar year. Today they have announced the leadership team of the combined business, which will come into effect after the merger has been completed. The existing leadership teams of Idea Cellular and Vodafone India will continue to manage their separate businesses and be accountable for each company’s operational performance until the merger becomes effective. It is only upon completion of the merger that the two businesses will cease to operate as distinct and competing entities. As announced last year, Kumar Mangalam Birla will be Non-Executive Chairman of the merged company. CEO will be Balesh Sharma (currently Chief Operating Officer of Vodafone India) who will be responsible for the combined business’s strategy and its execution as well as driving integration. The following positions will report to the CEO: CFO - Akshaya Moondra, currently Chief Financial Officer at Idea. COO - Ambrish Jain, currently Deputy Managing Director at Idea, will be responsible ...

Xiaomi starts rolling out MIUI 9.5 Stable ROM, finally brings New Notification Shade with Quick Replies [Update: Changelog and Download links]

Update 2: Xiaomi has shared full changelog and download links for Redmi Note 4, Redmi Note 3 and Redmi 3S/ Prime. You can check out the recovery ROM and Fastboot ROMs for these phones below.  Redmi Note 4 (Snapdragon) V9.5.4.0.NCFMIFA - Recovery | Fastboot Redmi Note 3 | V9.5.1.0.MHOMIEK - Recovery | Fastboot Redmi 3S V9.5.1.0.MALMIFA - Recovery | Fastboot Full changelog Highlights Fix - Top sites setting is restored automatically in MI browser. (12-26) Fix - Dual Apps WhatsApp can not add contact member from group. (12-26) Fix - The "Move" option was displayed as "Copy" in Explorer (01-03) Fix - Home screen froze and slowed down (01-03) Fix - Automatic updates turned off if you restricted Updater\'s notifications (01-03) Fix - System launcher wasn't responding (01-03) Fix - Screen buttons overlapped with the keyboard during quick replies in the Notification shade (01-03) Fix - UI adjustments for RTL languages in Messaging (01-03) Fix - Weather info is not aligned in notification & status bar in landscape mode (01-09) Fix - 'Mobile data' label is misaligned in Restrict data usage settings (01-09) Fix - Black screen appears and then lock screen is displayed (01-09) Fix - The battery level is incorrect on status bar (01-16) Fix - Battery is draining very fast when the device is in idle mode (01-16) Fix ...