Vivo shows off world’s first In-Display Optical Fingerprint Scanning Smartphone at CES 2018

Vivo announced its Under Display Fingerprint Scanning Solution called Vivo Under Display based on an ultrasonic sensor at the MWC 2017 Shanghai back in June. Today at the CES 2018 it showed off world’s first ready-to-produce in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone that uses an optical fingerprint sensor from Synaptics.   This lets users unlock their smartphone through one-touch fingerprint scanning directly on the smartphone display.  This doesn’t require a physical button for the fingerprint sensor and allows a true full-screen display and an integrated unibody design. Availability of Vivo’s first in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone will be announced in early 2018. Commenting on the same, Alex Feng, Senior Vice President of Vivo, said: With our efforts in extensive consumer research and long-term R&D investment, Vivo is well positioned to pioneer the development of fingerprint scanning technology. We first presented a prototype of our fingerprint scanning solution at MWC Shanghai 2017 based on an ultrasonic sensor, and have remained committed to realizing our vision for future smartphones. Today’s showcase of a ready-to-produce in-display fingerprint scanning smartphone featuring an optical fingerprint sensor is a big leap forward in bringing consumers this long-awaited, futuristic mobile experience. We are very excited to make it available to consumers soon.

Qualcomm Smart Audio Platform to support Amazon Alexa Voice, Google Assistant and Microsoft Cortana

Qualcomm at the CES 2018 announced that Qualcomm Smart Audio Platform now helps manufacturers to reduce development time of smart speakers featuring Cortana, Google Assistant as well as Google Services and Alexa Voice Service (AVS). Key features of the Qualcomm Smart Audio Platform include 6 microphone Far-Field Voice and always-ready wake-word detection for highly responsive and precise voice activation, integrated Hi-Fi audio playback and post-processing algorithms for premium sound quality, Qualcomm AllPlay multi-room networking solution for whole-home synchronized audio streaming, and advanced application processing capabilities for a customizable and responsive user experience. LG will showcase LG ThinQ Speaker which comes with Google Assistant built-in at the ongoing CES event. The Qualcomm Smart Audio development kit with support for the Amazon Alexa Voice Service is in production now.  Qualcomm Smart Audio Platform with support for Android Things is available to select customers today, and it is expected to be available for all in the first half of 2018.  Qualcomm Smart Audio Platform with support for Cortana is expected to be available in the first half of 2018. Source 1, 2, 3

Nextbit Robin smart storage cloud service shutting down on March 1

Nextbit today announced that it will be shutting down smart cloud storage service which was a major feature of Nextbit OS that seamlessly expanded local storage by syncing apps, photos, and other content to the cloud.  Today the company has officially mentioned that it is shutting down the service from March 1st. The company has sent emails to Robin smartphone users saying that they would be signed out of Smart Storage. Users either have to store the data in the phone locally or download Nextbit tool from the official website. This feature will be available until April 1st, post which the data will be removed. Apart from emails, the company is also running pop-up on its website letting users know about the shutdown. But the pop-up mentions that “sync server” for apps  will shut down on January 15th, while images stored in the cloud will be inaccessible from February 1st, as the company had mentioned in the Razer forum last month. With both emails and pop-up contradicting two different messages, its safe for Robin users to back up the data prior to the shutdown. A Robin smartphone user took it to Reddit claiming that he got the email from Nextbit about the shutdown which was later confirmed through the ...

Qualcomm introduces QCC5100 Bluetooth Audio SoC series with Hybrid ANC, voice assistant support

Qualcomm at the CES 2018 introduced Low Power Bluetooth SoC QCC5100 series with support for third-party Voice Assistant Services, Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo, Qualcomm aptX HD audio and Integrated Hybrid ANC for wireless earbuds, hearables and headsets. Qualcomm also said that it reduces power consumption by up to 65% for both voice calls and music streaming, compared to previous single-chip Bluetooth audio solutions. The Qualcomm CSR8675 that was introduced at the CES last year powers Google’s Pixel Buds. This has dedicated application processor sub-system, dual DSP architecture and next generation ADK software with enhanced development tools. This offers easy switching between listening to music, making calls, running biometric sensors and using voice assistant services. Integrated  hybrid ANC reduces the complexity and cost of adding ANC to earbuds offering OEMs to make much smaller headsets. Highlights of Qualcomm Low Power Bluetooth SoC QCC5100 series - QCC5120 and QCC5121 Low power design and ultra-small form factor Dual-core 120MHz 32-bit processor application subsystem Dual-core Qualcomm Kalimba DSP Audio subsystem Support for aptX and aptX HD, Qualcomm TrueWireless Stereo, and Enhanced ANC (Feed-Forward, Feed-Backward, Hybrid) Voice Assistant Services, low power wake word detection Bluetooth 5.0 and 2 Mbps Bluetooth Low Energy support Embedded ROM + RAM and support for external Flash memory 2-ch 98dBA headset class D (integrated amplifier) 2-ch ...

JBL Everest wireless headphones with Google Assistant, Endurance and Reflect in-ear sports earphones announced

JBL today at the CES 2018 show has introduced the new Everest series wireless headphones with Google Assistant and Run, Sprint, Jump, Dive and Reflect in-ear sports earphones. The Everest line-up includes 710GA, 310GA, and 110GA.  JBL Everest wireless headphones connect to smartphones and tablets via Bluetooth, and with Google Assistant, users can take full control of the music experience with the use of voice control and receive notifications without looking at the smartphone. Connecting the headphones to a smartphone is simple, users need to quickly download the Assistant on the phone, connect the headphone and then simply touch the sensors located on the ear cup. It comes with JBL’s legendary Pro Audio Sound and provides of up to 8 to 25 hours, and it features quick recharge which enables users to juice up the battery to maximum capacity quickly. The JBL Everest 710GA, Everest 310GA and Everest 110GA will be available on JBL official website and at select retailers starting spring 2018. On the other hand, the company has also introduced new Endurance and Reflect in-ear sports earphone series which includes Run, Sprint, Jump, Dive, Reflect Mini 2, Reflect Contour 2 in-ear wireless headphone. The Endurance series comes with IPX7 waterproof and the earbuds’ form factor provides Twistlock safety technology and FlexSoft comfort fit ...

Reliance Jio revises two more packs, now offers 5GB data per day pack

Last week Reliance Jio revised several packs by offering Rs. 50 discount in some packs with monthly packs starting at just Rs. 149 and also revised data in some packs offering 1.5GB data per day at the same cost. These packs are available starting today. In addition to these the company has also revised its Rs. 509 and Rs. 799 packs. The Rs. 509 pack with 28-days validity now offers 3GB data per day and a total of 84GB data compared to 2GB data per day, but the pack offered 49 days validity previously. The Rs. 799 that offered 3GB data per day now offers 5GB data per day and a total of 140GB data with the same 28 days validity. Reliance Jio is the only company to offers 5GB data per day that is targeted at heavy data users. Airtel recently revised its Rs. 799 plan to offer 3.5GB Data per day. To remind you, after the recent revision Reliance Jio's Rs. 149, Rs. 349, Rs. 399 and Rs. 449 packs offer 28GB, 70GB, 84GB and 91GB data with 70 days, 84 days and 91 days validity, respectively offering 1GB data per day. The Rs. 398, Rs. 448 and Rs. 498 packs offer 105GB, 126GB and 136GB data ...

Sony SRS-XB41, SRS-XB31 and SRS-XB21 EXTRA BASS wireless water resistant speakers announced

Sony at the CES 2018 has announced the SRS-XB41, SRS-XB31, and SRS-XB21 EXTRA BASS wireless speakers. These speakers come with extra bass sound and Live Sound mode and the company promoting them as party speakers thanks to their portability.  The wireless speakers are capable of creating a 3-dimensional music output giving users the feel of the real lifelike experience all because of the new DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and the angled speaker. The Live Sound mode feels as if it is spreading sound both vertically and horizontally. These speakers are designed to sustain and focus on 'deep bass' and 'punch bass' which perfectly exhibits bass heavy music. The speakers also come with flashing strobe lighting effects and line light in multiple colors. They also come with the new 'Party Booster' feature which can be used like an instrument and can detect tapping from 5 different directions thanks to the built-in accelerometer that generates a sound and lighting reaction. These speakers can connect with up to 100 compatible (SRS-XB41/31/21) speakers together. They come with new fabric material design in up to 5 colors and are also washable. They are also water and dust resistant rated at IP67. The company is promising up to 24-hours battery life for the XB41 and XB32 ...

SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 world’s smallest 256GB Flash Drive announced, world’s smallest 1TB USB Type-C flash drive showcased

Western Digital at the Consumer Electronics Show 2018 (CES 2018) introduced the world’s smallest 256GB SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive, which also comes in other capacities. It introduced world’s smallest 128GB USB 3.0 Ultra Fit Flash Drive back in 2015. It also showcased the prototype of world’s smallest 1TB  USB Type-C flash drive. SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 flash drive specifications Transfer up to 15 times faster than standard USB 2.0 drives; up to 130MB/s read speed SanDisk SecureAccess software for password protection and 128-bit encryption RescuePRO file recovery software USB 3.1 (Gen 1) enabled (USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 backward compatible) Available capacities: 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB The SanDisk Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drives will be priced at $21.99 (Rs. 1,400 approx.), $34.99 (Rs. 2,230 approx.), $59.99 (Rs. 3,820 approx.), $119.99 (Rs. 7640 approx.) and $149.99 (Rs. 9550 approx.) for 16GB, 32GB, 64GB, 128GB and 256GB capacities, respectively. It will go on sale soon. No details about the cost and availability for SanDisk 1TB USB Type-C flash drive yet.

Harman Kardon Allure Portable voice-activated speaker with Alexa support announced

Harman Kardon; a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics today at the CES 2018 show has announced Allure Portable speaker with a digital assistant speaker; Amazon Alexa. Just like the original Harman Kardon Allure speaker, the new portable device is also hands-free and can be controlled by voice commands. The Harman Kardon Allure portable speaker features 20W 2 x 1.75-inch full-range drivers and 2 passive radiators that can cover up an entire room. The speaker's far-field voice technology allows users to issue commands from across the room which can be heard clearly by the speaker. Since it is portable, it blends well with any environment whether it’s in your living room, office or kitchen, the device fills any space with best in class sound. It supports up to 96KHz/24bits of Wi-Fi audio streaming from the cloud to stream room-filling music from any mobile devices via Bluetooth. The company is promising up to 10 hours of battery life, and it has a charging cradle for convenience. The Harman Kardon Allure Portable with Amazon Alexa will be available for purchase starting spring 2018 and is priced at $199 (Rs.12,665 approx.). Commenting on the announcement, Andy Tsui, Vice President, Smart Audio Business Unit, HARMAN said: With the Harman Kardon Allure Portable, we brought together ...

Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime with 5.5-inch 1080p display, 4GB RAM launching in India this week

Samsung started teasing the launch of new 'On Series' smartphone in India last month, exclusively on Amazon India. Now Amazon has revealed that the phone as Galaxy On7 Prime and IANS report says that the phone will be launched this week. It has almost similar specifications as the Galaxy J7 Prime that was launched last back in  2016, but this has a 13-megapixel front camera instead of 8-megapixel camera in he J7 Prime.  It has metal unibody design and comes in two variants, one with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and the other variant has 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. It has dedicated dual SIM slots and the fingerprint sensor is embedded into the home button It also comes with Samsung Pay Mini  thatlets you transfer money using  wallets just by scanning the code or sending it using mobile number and send to bank account using UPI (Unified Payment Interface).  It should run Android Nougat, but no details about the battery capacity yet. Samsung Galaxy On7 Prime specifications 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD 2.5D curved glass display 1.6GHz Octa-Core Exynos 7870 processor 4GB RAM with 64GB storage, 3GB RAM with 32GB storage, expandable up to 256GB with microSD Android 7.1 (Nougat) Dual SIM (nano + nano) 13MP rear camera ...