Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ teased on Flipkart ahead of Feb 25 announcement

Last year's flagship Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones were launched in India in April last year exclusively on Flipkart, but the online retailer teased the phones only after the announcement. Now Flipkart has started teasing the upcoming Galaxy S9 series of smartphones even before the official announcement at the MWC 2018 on February 25th in Barcelona. Flipkart has a separate 9OnFlipkart Store that hints that the phone will likely arrive in India soon after the announcement. It is also expected to go on pre-order exclusively on Flipkart on launch day, which is expected to be sometime in early March. Samsung India also lets users to register interest on their Samsung India website. Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ rumored specifications S9 – 5.8-inch Quad HD+ (2960 × 1440 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity display with 570ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection S9+ – 6.2-inch Quad HD+ (2960 × 1440 pixels) Super AMOLED Infinity display with 529ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection Octa-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 with Adreno 630 GPU / Octa-Core Samsung Exynos 9 Series 9810 processor with Mali G72MP18 GPU S9 – 4GB LPDDR4x RAM with 64GB storage (UFS 2.1), expandable memory with microSD S9+ – 6GB LPDDR4x RAM with 128GB storage (UFS 2.1), expandable memory with microSD Android 8.0 ...

Motorola better phone-life balance study shows alarming results and usage of phones problematic

Motorola has conducted an independent research through research company Ipsos to understand the impact of smartphones on our relationships with ourselves, other people, and the physical and social environment. The study showed that smartphone users are putting their phones before the people they care about, and the younger generations who have grown up in a digital world are alarmingly addicted.  Furthermore, the study highlights the phone importance where One-third or 33% of users prioritize their smartphone over engaging with people they care about and want to spend time with them. This is seen as a major concern among younger generations, with over half of Gen Z describing their phone as a best friend. People want help with phone-life balance. In fact, 61 percent of participants agree that they want to get the most out of their phone when they are on it, and the most out of life when they are not. While 60% people say it’s important to have a life separate from their phones. The study pinpointed three major smartphone behaviors that impacted the human relationships including the constant checking of phones more often than they would need. More than 44% agree they feel compelled to constantly check their smartphone. A 35% agree that they are ...

Qualcomm AI Engine with support for existing Snapdragon mobile platforms announced

Qualcomm today announced the new Artificial Intelligence engine consisting of several hardware and software components to accelerate on-device AI-enabled user experiences. The new AI engine will be supported on Snapdragon 845, 835, 820 and 660 mobile platforms, and the latest Snapdragon 845 with on-device AI processing. Qualcomm details the key benefits of on-device AI include real-time responsiveness, improved privacy, and enhanced reliability. The AI engine gets its support from Snapdragon core hardware architectures like the Qualcomm Hexagon Vector Processor, Adreno GPU and Kryo CPU that are designed to run AI applications quickly and efficiently on-device. This approach gives developers and OEMs the ability to optimize AI user experiences on smartphones and other edge devices. Key features of the Qualcomm AI Engine include Snapdragon neural processing engine which is designed to make it easy for developers to choose the optimal Snapdragon core for the desired user experience including the Hexagon Vector Processor, Adreno GPU, and Kryo CPU and perfect their AI user experiences on the device. It also supports Tensorflow, Caffe and Caffe2 frameworks, in addition to the Open Neural Network Exchange. It also offers support for the Android Neural Networks API which was first made available with Android Oreo giving developers access to Snapdragon platforms directly through ...

Qualcomm Snapdragon 820E embedded platform for IoT, robotics announced

Qualcomm today announced the Snapdragon 820E embedded platform for IoT showcases Qualcomm's mobile expertise in both computing and connectivity for commercial IoT products. It is designed to support connected computing, and powerful yet power-efficient multicore processing for computer vision, artificial intelligence, and immersive multimedia. Qualcomm says that the Snapdragon 820E embedded platform is being made available globally by third-party distributors, initially through Arrow Electronics until 2025. The DragonBoard 820c development board offers end customer and participants of the ecosystem can begin their evaluation and invention with the Snapdragon 820E embedded platform. The DragonBoard 820c is a 96Boards compliant open hardware specification making it a highly expandable starting point for the invention. With the new Snapdragon 820E embedded platform, device manufacturers, solution providers, and system integrators have a rich set of options for the speeding commercialization of products. Like the original Snapdragon 820, the 820E embedded platform features a 64-bit ARMv8 2.15GHz quad-core Qualcomm Kryo CPU, Adreno 530 GPU, and Qualcomm Hexagon 680 DSP. The embedded platform also supports Bluetooth 4.2, Dual-Band Wi-Fi, six position location satellite systems, and high-quality multi-channel audio. Supports eMMC 5.1, UFC 2.0, USB Type-3.0, up to 28 MP camera Image Sensor Processor with 2x Image Sensor Processor (ISP), and 4K recording. The Snapdragon 820E embedded solutions will diversify ...

Google launches Android enterprise recommendation program to certify devices for business and security

With billions of Android phones available in the market, it's often complicated and complex for enterprise IT organizations and business to find a perfect smartphone that suits the organization. To make it easy, Google today launched a new Android enterprise recommendation program that will help to certify devices for business and security-focused needs. Android enterprise recommendation program is a Google-led global initiative and is validated by Google. The program establishes best practices and common requirements for devices and services with thorough testing process conducted by Google. The smartphones in the program meet an elevated set of specifications for hardware, deployment, security updates, and user experience to help with challenging task of selecting the right device. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GIc55fOPf0 Furthermore, OEMs in the program will also get an enhanced level of technical support and training from Google. Some of the requirements include phones running 7.0+, support for bulk deployment of Android devices, delivery of Android security updates within 90 days of release for a minimum of three years, availability of unlocked devices, direct from manufacturer or reseller, and consistent application experience in managed profiles and on managed devices. Google also mentioned that it will keep updating the Android Enterprise Recommended program requirements to ensure the best experience for enterprise customers. Currently, the list of enterprise ...

ARM introduces iSIM that can be integrated into the SoC

ARM today introduced a new Kigen technology with integrated SIM identity to IoT SoC designs and an integrated component called an iSIM that’s built into the same chip as the processor. The traditional take about 12.3 x 8.8mm in size and the additional hardware space to house them, while the iSIM will take up a fraction of a millimeter. Saving of the space isn't the only advantage, but also will most importantly be cost-effective too. This technology is being developed first to the small Internet of Things devices, like wireless sensors that need cellular service for reporting their findings. With IoT ramping up its growth and adoption, ARM’s is aiming to bring down the cost of these products as much as possible. ARM says that the traditional SIMs cannot change ownership after they are deployed in a device, and require physical access to change mobile network operator (MNO). But with the new GSMA Embedded SIM Specification, it will offer secure identity in cellular IoT applications for both device makers and service providers. This will allow the integration of an MCU, cellular modem and SIM identity into a single IoT SoC to significantly reduce device costs. The company's KigenOS provides a scalable, low footprint and GSMA compliant software stack to enable ...

Twitter bans automated bulk identical tweeting and duplicate accounts to fight spam

Twitter today announced that it is limiting how users and apps users and apps can automate tweets in order to disseminate spam, and any such behavior may result in enforcement action. Twitter will not allow posting identical or substantially similar content from multiple accounts. This will apply regardless of whether the Tweets are published the same time, or are scheduled/queued. Twitter as an alternative says that users can make use of the Retweet option where you can retweet content from one account when you wish to share that post with similar content. However, the company also says that you can retweet from a small number of distinct accounts that you directly control. Moving along, Twitter doesn't allow users from performing actions such as Likes, Retweets, or follows from multiple accounts. Twitter says that it will still permit cross-posting outside information to Twitter using automation, but then again you should only post this content to one account you control. This exception is limited to broadcast or share weather, emergency, or other public service announcements in the interest of the public. The company also says that users of TweetDeck will no longer be able to select multiple accounts through which to perform an action such as Tweeting, Retweeting, liking, or following. ...

Microsoft launches new Surface Pro in India starting at Rs. 64999

Microsoft just launched the fifth generation Surface Pro 2-in-1 in India. The successor of the Surface Pro 4 that was launched in the country back in 2016 has the same 12.3-inch (2160×1440 pixels) display with 267 PPI,  8-megapixel camera at the back and a 5-megapixel camera at the front, but this is powered by latest seventh-generation Kaby Lake processors and offer improved the battery life The new Surface Pro promises up to 13.5 hours of battery life, which the company says is 50% more than Surface Pro 4 and 35% more battery life than Apple’s iPad Pro. It also promises 2.5 times more computing performance than the Surface Pro 3 and 1.7 times the compute of iPad Pro. Its hinge has a full 165-degree range of motion, which is Studio Mode, an angle inspired by the Surface Studio, useful for writing, sketching, and drawing.  It is also the lightest Surface Pro ever, starting at just 768g and is just 8.5mm thin. There is also a new Surface Pen with 4,096 pressure points and new inking capabilities in Office apps, and new Signature Type Cover with 1.3 mm of key travel for faster and more accurate typing. Microsoft Surface Pro 2017 specifications 12.3-inch (2736 x 1824 pixels) 3:2 PixelSense 10 point multi-touch display 7th Gen Intel Core m3 with HD ...

Qualcomm’s future Snapdragon 5G mobile chipsets to use Samsung’s 7nm LPP EUV process technology

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC that will power this year's flagship smartphones is manufactured on second generation 10LPP process from Samsung. Today Samsung and Qualcomm has expanded its foundry partnership for on EUV process technology. With this partnership, Qualcomm has announced that future Snapdragon 5G mobile chipsets will use Samsung's 7nm LPP EUV process technology. Last week Qualcomm introduced  Snapdragon X24 LTE modem, which is its first chip built on a 7-nanometer FinFET process technology. But the 7LPP EUV process technology will offer a smaller chip footprint, giving OEMs more usable space inside upcoming products to support larger batteries or slimmer designs. Process improvements, combined with a more advanced chip design, are expected to bring significant improvements in battery life. Samsung back in September announced that is working on 7LPP (Low Power Plus) with EUV (extreme ultra violet) lithography technology for smartphones that is targeted for initial production in the second half of 2018. Compared with its 10nm FinFET predecessors, Samsung’s 7LPP EUV technology promises up to a 40% increase in area efficiency with 10% higher performance or up to 35% lower power consumption. According to a report from Korea, Samsung is expected to open new 7nm  foundry plant equipped with cutting-edge process technologies in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province this Friday. It is said to ...

LG K8 2018 and K10 2018 series announced ahead of MWC

LG just announced new K8 and K10 series of smartphones for 2018 that includes K8 2018, K10 2018, K10+ 2018 and K10 α 2018 ahead of Mobile World Congress (2018) next week. Both the phones have HD display with  2.5D Arc Glass design. The K8 features a metallic design with metal U-frame, 13-megapixel rear camera technology found in the flagship LG G6, PDAF,  and an 8MP front camera that supports Bokeh when shooting selfies. It also has a new Smart Rear Key not only unlocks the phone with a fingerprint and also triggers Quick Shutter for faster photos and Quick Capture for easy screen shots. The new LG K8 and features Auto Shot, Gesture Shot, Flash for Selfie and Quick Share. Both the phones have new Low Light Noise Reduction feature, which combined with High Dynamic Range (HDR), promises sharper images with more luminosity and contrast levels. The new Timer Helper feature will help keep count using the flash as a visual aid so you can be in the exact position at the right time. New Flash Jump Shot snaps a photo every three seconds (up to 20 photos) and stitches the images together into a fun GIF for easy sharing. it works with both ...