Alcatel 1X, Alcatel 3V and Alcatel 5 with 18:9 full view displays, fingerprint sensor official

TCL at the CES 2018 introduced three smartphones Alcatel 1X, Alcatel 3V and Alcatel 5 under new Alcatel 1, 3 and 5 series, after a recent leak. All these have 18:9 full view displays from TCL and feature a fingerprint sensor on the back. The Alcatel 1X is the most affordable of the lot that comes with an unibody design and the company says that it is made of premium materials. In addition to 18:9 full view display and fingerprint sensor, it also has face unlocking. It has soft, almost sandpaper-like texture on its curved back. The Alcatel 3V has dual rear cameras with rounded rectangle shaped design and glossy back. The Alcatel 5 is again a rectangular phone v with taller bezel up top that houses dual front cameras along with flash. The back has a subtly ridged texture. The company just said that it uses Qualcomm and MediaTek processors for the series without giving and another specifications of them, which will be revealed next month, probably at the MWC 2018. Commenting on the announcement, Christian Gatti, Global President Alcatel Business Division and Executive Vice President TCL Communication, said: As the global smartphone market continues to evolve, we come into a new year recognizing the need to stabilize and ...

Huawei to launch Mate 10 Pro in the U.S. in February, announces Gal Gadot as its Chief Experience Officer

Huawei introduced Mate 10 Pro and Porsche Design Mate 10 smartphones at an event in Germany back in October last year and the phone rolled out in November in several countries. At the CES 2018 the company announced that both the phones will be available int the U.S. from February. The company also announced that it has signed popular actress Gal Gadot as the company’s first Chief Experience Officer. Even though she had acted in Huawei's commercial back in 2015, Huawei says that her new role will help shape the company’s brand experiences since she will be listening to and providing ongoing ideas to inform how Huawei will bring the best experiences to its consumers. Huawei Mate 10 Pro specifications 6-inch (2160 x 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 18:9 FullView display, 70000:1 (Typical) Contrast ratio, 112% NTSC Color Gamut Octa-Core Huawei Kirin 970 (4 x 2.4 GHz A73+ 4 x 1.8 GHz A53) 10nm processor + i7 co-processor, Mali-G72 MP12 GPU, NPU 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 8.0 (Oreo) with EMUI 8.0 20MP (Monochrome) + 12MP (RGB) Dual rear cameras with Leica Summilux-H lenses, f/1.6 aperture, dual-tone LED flash, PDAF, CAF, Laser AF, OIS, 4K video recording 8MP front-facing camera, f/2.0 aperture Fingerprint sensor, Infrared ...

Wi-Fi Alliance announces WPA3 security protocol for Wi-Fi Protected Access

Wi-Fi Alliance has announced new enhancements and features for Wi-Fi Protected Access. it is introducing configuration, authentication, and encryption enhancements across its portfolio to ensure Wi-Fi CERTIFIED devices continue to implement the security protections. The company said that it would deliver a suite of features to simplify Wi-Fi security configuration for users and service providers to better enhance the Wi-Fi network security protections. The WP3 will have four new capabilities for personal and enterprise Wi-Fi networks. Two of the new capabilities will offer robust protection to users who choose passwords that are not complex enough. It will also harden the individualized data encryption on open Wi-Fi networks as well. It will also include a simplified security management process for devices without screens and use 192-bit security suite aligned with the Commercial National Security Algorithm (CNSA) Suite. The first batch of WPA3-certified devices are expected to ship this year, while it is unlikely that routers or other devices will be able to start using WPA3 via firmware updates. Edgar Figueroa, president, and CEO of Wi-Fi Alliance said: Security is a foundation of Wi-Fi Alliance certification programs, and we are excited to introduce new features to the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED family of security solutions. The Wi-Fi CERTIFIED designation means Wi-Fi devices ...

Nokia Sleep advanced sensor tracks sleep pattern, offers home automation with IFTTT

Nokia that bought digital health firm Withings back in 2016 relaunched health devices under its own brand last year. This week at the CES 2018 it has introduced Nokia Sleep, an advanced sensor that offers personalized sleep analysis and offers smart home control through IFTTT integration. Nokia also said that its Health Mate app will now work with Alexa so users can manage their health and fitness with their voice via an Alexa Skill through Alexa-enabled devices. The Nokia Sleep Wi-Fi enabled pad fits under the mattress and provides insight into the quality of the sleep experience and also offers environment control through IFTTT (if this,then that), an automation service for all internet-connected things. It offers Sleep cycle analysis that shows sleep duration and interruptions; light, deep and rapid-eye-movement phases; and snoring tracking. An individualized Sleep Score to indicate how restorative a night's sleep was, and educate users about what makes a good night's sleep and how they can improve night after night. Smart Home control via the IFTTT acts as a switch to automatically control lights, thermostats and more by getting into and out of bed. It also synchronizes automatically with the Nokia Health Mate app so users can have all their health data in ...

Airtel expands mobile network footprint to over 7250 towns and villages with 6500 sites across Gujarat

Airtel today announced that it has archived 6500 mobile broadband sites (4G+3G sites) across Gujarat, expanding the availability of data services to more than 7250 towns and villages in the state. "In the expansion process, Airtel has installed one new 4G site every 90 minutes in the past 6 months to cater to the surge in the high-speed internet needs of the users and to collaborate with the Government’s vision of Digital India," said the company. It launched VoLTE services in Gujarat back in October last year. In addition to doubling its transmission capacity, Airtel has also  scaled up its mobile backhaul capabilities and extended its fiber backbone to 12300 kilometer making the network future-read. In addition to expanding Airtel’s geographical coverage, this also promises higher indoor and outdoor speeds and a superior mobile broadband experience in the state. This is part of Project Leap – Airtel’s nationwide network transformation program to build a future ready network.  The company announced Rs 60,000 crore investment across India under this program back in 2015. In the last two years, Airtel has deployed 180,000 mobile sites across India. Commenting on the announcement, KC Narendran, Chief Executive Officer – Gujarat, Bharti Airtel said: Keeping in mind the fast evolving usage ...

Belkin introduces Boost UP Wireless Charging Pad, Quick Charge 3.0 Power Banks and Fast-Charging Wall Chargers

Belkin at the CES 2018 introduced a portfolio of mobile power products including wireless charging solutions, USB-C power banks, and fast-charging power delivery wall chargers that support Apple and other brands. BOOST UP Bold Wireless Charging Pad is a Universal wireless charging pad supports Apple, Samsung, and other Qi-enabled devices at optimal speed. It has 10W output charge that delivers faster wireless charging for all Qi-enabled devices. It comes in a variety of colors and charges in most cases up to 3mm thick. Next on the list is the BOOST UP Wireless Charging Stand which is a Universal wireless charging stand that supports Apple, Samsung, and other Qi-enabled devices at optimal speed. This too has 10W output charge and delivers faster wireless charging for all Qi-enabled devices. It supports landscape and portrait mode in its natural state. The stand comes with a significant amount of shielding, precision resistors, premium materials and components inside of the charging pad provides maximum charging efficiency. The power adapter comes included. The BOOST UP Wireless Charging Car Mount has 10W output charge delivers faster wireless charging for all Qi-enabled devices. It supports dash or window mounting with adjustability to accommodate for different phone sizes. It starts charging upon contact and retains the functionality of device which includes the use of WiFi, ...

Apple likely to invest in LG Innotek for next-gen iPhone, iPad TrueDepth camera components

Apple is likely to invest in LG Innotek for next-gen iPhone, iPad TrueDepth camera components for face ID components. A series of meeting between the companies and regulatory filings by LG suggests that Apple is looking into investing a one-time payment to help LG build out 3D sensing component.  This move comes with an aim to avoid the shortage of components as it happened with the iPhone X. The regulatory filings further hint that it will invest 873.7 billion won ($821 million) to build additional facilities for the next-generation camera and emitter module business for mobile implementations. Korea Economic Daily suggests that latest development came into the picture after Apple CEO Tim Cook and LG Innotek CEO Park Jong-seok meeting in November last year. Apple in December announced that it was granting Finisar $390 million. Finisar produces vertical-cavity-surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) that power iPhone X TrueDepth camera, as well as the proximity-sensing capabilities of AirPods. If rumors are to be believed, it is heard that Apple will likely use the TrueDepth camera technology in upcoming iPhones as well as iPads. Source

Samsung said to begin mass-production of foldable smartphones in November

Samsung is said to begin mass-production of foldable smartphones in November according to a report from ET News. Furthermore, sources claim that the company has decided to mass-produce foldable Smartphones in November as it recently switched from development phase of foldable Smartphones to mass-production phase. Report further details that Samsung has even established a detailed schedule for production of foldable Smartphones. It is said that the company will start the design work from March and manufacture panels in September. This time frame might suggest that we will be seeing foldable Samsung phones from early 2019. Though there are no exact specifications, it is said that Samsung foldable Smartphones sport 7.3-inch flexible OLED displays that can also be folded inwards. Samsung Display division will be in charge of manufacturing foldable displays. While Samsung is actively pursuing its foldable smartphone project, it will still remain the second company to introduce foldable smartphone since Lenovo has already introduced a prototype of a foldable Smartphone in 2016. The Samsung Foldable Smartphones will be targeting ‘ultra-premium markets. When asked about the same, a Samsung representative has said "It is true that we are developing foldable Smartphones. However, we cannot confirm any schedules for mass-production or release of foldable Smartphones due to our business strategies.” Source

Full QWERTY Keyboard Moto Mod and Vital Moto Mod announced

At the CES 2018 Motorola introduced Livermorium Slider Keyboard Moto Mod and Lenovo introduced Vital Moto Mod for the Moto Z series of smartphones. They keyboard mod was the winner of the 2017 Transform the Smartphone Challenge with Indiegogo. The Livermorium Keyboard Moto Mod is a five-row slider back-lit keyboard mod that also has a separate number row, shortcuts for different utilities and also comes with Android navigation buttons . The standard version has a built-in 1700mAh battery which provides about 15 hours extra standby time; and a Lite version is 2mm thinner and 20g lighter without the additional battery. The Vital Moto Mod features advanced sensor technology which allows you to easily measure your own five vital signs from one Moto Mod sized integrated device. You can measure five vital health signs -- heart rate, respiratory rate, Pulse Ox, core body temperature, and even accurate systolic and diastolic blood pressure from your finger. The Keyboard Mod Mod will be available from Moto Store for $99  (Rs. 6,305 approx.) later this quarter. The standard version with built-in battery is priced at $199 (Rs. 12,675 approx.)and is expected to be available later this year. The Lenovo Vital Moto Mod is priced at $395 (Rs. 25,160 approx.) and will be available in ...

Razer unveils Android laptop-phone Hybrid Project Linda dock for Razer Phone

Razer today at the CES 2018 show has unveiled the Android laptop-phone Hybrid Project Linda concept. The company has showcased a 13.3-inch laptop design powered by the Android-based Razer Phone. The smartphone and laptop hybrid concept opens up a new era for mobile personal computing.  It seamlessly docks the Razer Phone inside its chassis where a touchpad would normally reside and connects with the press of a button. Razer Phone's Snapdragon 835 chipset and 8GB of RAM delivers responsive performance and instantly transforms Project Linda into an Android laptop. The Phone's 5.7-inches display can be used as a touchpad, or as a second screen for access to apps, tools, and more. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gKu-T13vXs&feature=youtu.be It comes with dedicated keys for navigation, search, and app selection. The Project Linda features a unibody CNC aluminum chassis and is just 0.59-inch (15 mm) thin and weighs 1.25 kg including the docked phone. Its 13.3-inch Quad HD touchscreen display has 120 Hz experience and the concept also packs a 53.6 Wh internal battery that can rapidly charge the docked phone to full capacity over three times while away from AC power. The Laptop also comes with 200 GB of storage. Connectivity options include the built-in 3.5-millimeter audio jack, a USB-A port, a USB-C charging port, ...