Facebook Messenger gets threaded messages feature for conversations

Social media giant Facebook has been revamping a lot of its own stuff in recent days to provide users with the smooth, easy user experience. In the recent development, Facebook is adding support for “message replies". According to the company, this feature allows for threaded messages, allowing the users to reply specifically to one message without messing around the full message thread. To make use of the new feature, users need to long press on a message and tap the newly included reply icon. Replying from there will send the message directly. In this, the user can respond with text, videos, GIFs, images and emojis as well. It's worth mentioning here that, the new feature is rolling out today. In addition to it, the company is reportedly planning to unify its messaging apps with a goal of merging threads from WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger. A few days back, the company rolled out a dedicated Facebook Gaming tab in the main navigation bar. This tab will help people o discover, play, watch, and share gaming content personalized for them. Dedicated gaming tab comes as part of Facebook’s recent design update to provide personalized shortcuts. Source

Amazon launches new Kindle with built-in light for Rs. 7999

Amazon has launched a new Kindle (10th Generation) with a built-in light, similar to the Kindle Paperwhite, but this has 4 LEDs compared to 5 LEDs on the new Kindle Paperwhite. This has a 6-inch ( 600 x 800 pixels) touch screen display at 167 PPI pixel density, comes with WiFi 802.11 b/g/n support, has 4GB of internal storage to store thousands of books and offers up to 4 weeks (wireless off) of battery life as the entry-level Kindle that was launched back in 2016. The new adjustable front light makes it even more comfortable to read in a variety of places while still delivering weeks of battery life. The company said that the new Kindle has an updated electronic ink technology for better contrast and now uses capacitive touch to prevent accidental swipes on the six-inch, 167 ppi display. It features a refreshed design, so it measures 160 x 113 x 8.7 mm, making it slightly thinner and compact compared the entry-level Kindle. It weighs 174 grams, so it’s easy to hold in one hand for long reading sessions. It has new reading features. Now, when you finish a book, it will automatically be marked as read in your library and synced across your ...

Xiaomi releases kernel source for Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Go

Xiaomi launched the Redmi Go it's the first Android Go smartphone in India at an event this week. It packs a 5-inch HD screen, Snapdragon 425 SoC with 1GB of RAM, and runs on Android Oreo (Go edition). Last month, it launched the Redmi Note 7 in the country,  which was launched with a different camera sensor in China earlier in January. Redmi Note 7 Indian variant and Redmi Note 7 Chinese variant share the same codename ‘lavender’. Now, the company has released kernel sources for these smartphones, Redmi Note 7 (codename lavender) kernel sources are based on Android Pie and Redmi Go (codename tiare) kernel sources are based on Android Oreo. Even though the source code is not useful for normal users, it would be helpful for Android developers and tinkerers who would like to create custom software builds. You can download the kernel source from the GitHub source link below. Redmi Go will go on sale for the first time on 22nd March, and Redmi Note 7 duo go on sale every Wednesday, all these smartphones are available exclusively on Flipkart, Mi.com and are also available Mi Home stores. Source 1, 2 | Via

Apple introduces new AirPods with H1 chip, optional Wireless Charging Case starting at Rs. 14900

After several rumors, Apple has introduced new AirPods. It has the latest Apple H1 headphone chip for a faster and more stable wireless connection and also drives voice-enabled "Hey Siri” access making it easier to change songs, make a call, adjust the volume or get directions and delivers up to 30 per cent lower gaming latency. It also comes with a new wireless charging case that offers wireless charging with Qi-compatible charging solutions. An LED light indicator located on the front of the case conveniently shows the charge status. Existing AirPods customers can purchase the standalone Wireless Charging Case. Each case holds additional charges for more than 24 hours of total listening time. The new AirPods also offer up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge. 15 minutes charging offers up to 3 hours of listening time. AirPods with standard charging case is priced at Rs. 14,900 ( $159 in the US) and AirPods with Wireless Charging Case is priced at Rs. 18,900 ($199 in the US). Standalone Wireless Charging Case costs Rs. 7,500 ( $79 in the US). It will be available through Apple Authorised Resellers later this spring.

HUAWEI Mate X foldable 5G smartphone launching in India this year

HUAWEI introduced Mate X foldable 5G smartphone at an event in Barcelona last month. Today the company has confirmed that it will launch the smartphone in India later this year. India will not get 5G this year, but it will be one of the first 5G smartphones to launch here. It has a 6.6-inch OLED screen on the front and 6.38-inch screen on the back that expands to a 8-inch screen when unfolded. It features a Falcon Wing design with a stretchable hinge for a smooth and flat finish on both sides of the device. The screen doesn’t over stretch while folding or bulge in unfolding. It is just 5.4mm at its thinnest point. It is powered by Kirin 980 7nm SoC with Dual NPU and Balong 5000 5G modem, runs Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI 9.1.1 on top, has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner embedded into the power button. The phone packs a 40MP main camera, a 16MP ultra wide-angle camera, and an 8MP telephoto camera. It has an NM Card slot, that lets you use replace the second SIM with a NM Card and comes with world’s first 55W (10V/4A) HUAWEI SuperCharge fast charging technology that lets you charge the phone’s 4500mAh batery from ...

Opera browser for Android gets built-in free VPN, support for crypto-pairing and more

Opera browser for the desktop already offers free VPN. After the beta update last month that got built-in VPN, Opera browser for Android stable version 51 has received VPN support. This lets you hide your physical locationmaking it harder for others to track your behavior on the Web. The VPN is free and can be enabled easily from the top left corner of the browser. It also does not log web traffic. This means that the VPN servers do not log and retain any activity data, all to protect the privacy of the user. It also brings support for crypto-pairing as it rolls out for Opera for desktops in the stable release soon. This enables convenient and secure access to mobile-based Crypto Wallet in Opera for Android on computer. The update also brings several features including: Support for crypto-pairing with the upcoming stable release of Opera for computers Improved startup time Speech-to-text API support Improvements to the new fast scroller Chromium 72 Support for Jelly Bean (Android 4.1 – 4.3) has been deprecated as the Chromium browser engine no longer supports Jelly Bean You can the Opera browser for Android when it rolls out through Google Play or grab the APK from here and side-load it manually, ...

HP Reverb VR Headset with spatial audio, smart assistant-compatible dual microphones announced

At the HP Reinvent, HP unveiled Reverb Virtual Reality Headset that has been redesigned from the ground up. This has 2.89-inch 90Hz LCDs with 2160 x 2160 panel per eye with double the resolution1 and 114-degree field of view. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPmMOe_yYt4 It is ultra-light (1.1 pounds) and the company says that it has redesigned optics to increase the visual 'sweet spot.' It also features integrated headphones with spatial audio and smart assistant compatible dual microphones for a greater immersive experience and collaboration in multi-user VR environments. It has integrated Bluetooth with pre-paired motion controllers right out of the box, without the need to pair and support for Windows Mixed Reality and Steam VR. With Windows Mixed Reality’s inside out tracking, setup is even easier — just plug in the VR headset and start the experience. For multi-user environments there are removable, cleanable facemask cushions. The HP Reverb Virtual Reality Headset Consumer Edition is priced at US$599 (Rs. 41,280 approx.) and the Pro Edition costs US$649 (Rs. 44,730 approx.). Both will be available starting late-April in more than 50 countries worldwide in April. Both these come with HP VR Headset, 3.5m headset cable for desktop and mobile PCs, 2 motion controllers and 1 DisplayPort to mini-DisplayPort adapter in the package. The Pro ...

Instagram adds ‘Checkout’ feature to facilitate shopping without leaving app

Spending money just got easier now with Instagram! Facebook-owned Instagram has introduced 'checkout' feature on Instagram. With this feature, you can now buy a product without leaving the app. How does it work? When you tap to view a product from a brand’s shopping post, you’ll see a “Checkout on Instagram” button on the product page. Tap it to select from various options such as size or colour, then you’ll proceed to payment without leaving Instagram. You’ll only need to enter your name, email, billing information and shipping address the first time you check out. Once the first order is complete, your information will be securely saved for convenience the next time you shop. You’ll also receive notifications about shipment and delivery right inside Instagram, so you can keep track of your purchase. This feature is available currently in closed beta for businesses and available to people in the US. On the other hand, Instagram is said to be internally testing a web version of Instagram Direct messaging that lets users to chat with others without the app. When this feature rolls out, the Direct message will be available on the desktop, Android, iOS and the mobile web browser. Source

PUBG Mobile 0.11.5 update with Royale Pass Season 6, G36C rifle, 1st anniversary rewards and more released

Tencent games has rolled out a new PUBG Mobile update which brings the version number to 0.11.5, and this time it didn't take down the servers before the update. This brings new Season 6 and the new Royale Pass with more rewards and points, G36C rifle for Vikendi, Tukshai a three-wheeled bus replacing Jeep, Dacia and Mini Bus, Dynamic weather for Erangel and Miramar and as a part of Anniversary celebration  you get anniversary rewards, new crates and more.  Prime and Prime Plus subscriptions will be available in early April that will offer free daily UC, Royale Pass points, daily 80% discount on Crates, purchasing from the shop with BP and more. The update has just started rolling out to iOS and Android and should be available for everyone soon. Royale Pass**:** Players can now view RP rankings of the entire region and your friends directly from the royale pass page. Elite Pass Plus purchase now has additional rewards besides instantly gaining 25 ranks. Weekly challenges now award more points. Point rewards can now be collected with just tap. Anniversary: Birthday parties on Spawn Island! Light fireworks and collect crates during matches. Open the collected crates after the match to get anniversary rewards. Find randomly spawned birthday cakes in matches for a surprise! General**:** Dynamic weather ...

LG V40 ThinQ Review: A capable flagship that can’t keep up

Technology as a whole got matured right now especially in the past couple of years. In the case of smartphones, 2018 has been a fruitful year where the transition happened so fast. From thick bezel to notch, physical fingerprint scanner to in-display scanner, bump up to triple camera setup from double and more. Even though it's not mind-blowing, it is good to see the OEM's figuring out new ways to stay relevant according to the trend. In this contest some win, some lose and some go unnoticed. LG V40 ThinQ, ladies and gentleman belong to the last category, and we are not surprised. Tagged as the most underrated smartphone of 2019 already, LG V40 ThinQ incorporates power-packed specification on papers one could ask for. If you are not aware, the LG V40 ThinQ sports one of the best displays, latest SoC available in the market right now, Penta-camera setup, solid design and of course 3.5mm audio jack with support for Quad DAC. With this specification on papers, nothing can go wrong, right? Well, you are partially right, but not completely. We got hold of LG V40 ThinQ for a good amount of time and here is our take on it. Why you should buy ...