Motorola One Power Review

When we sat down with Motorola to talk about the all new Motorola One Power, one thing was clear. The phone had been designed ground up to tick the check marks for all the key specs that online buyers demand. Android One, guaranteed updates, a huge battery and even a notch! Apparently, these are the key metrics that online buyers look at when considering a new smartphone. So is the Motorola One Power the ultimate mid-range smartphone? Let's find out in our review.  Motorola One Power specifications 6.2-inch (2246 × 1080 pixels) Full HD+ display with 19:9 aspect ratio 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 636 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 509 GPU 4GB, 64GB storage, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) 16MP rear camera with Dual LED flash, f/1.8 aperture, 1.12μm pixel size, 5MP secondary rear camera with f/2.2 aperture, 1.0μm pixel size, 4K video recording 12MP front-facing camera with LED flash, f/2.0 aperture, 1.25μm pixel size, selfie portraits Fingerprint sensor P2i water-repellent nano coating 3.5mm audio jack, Bottom-ported speaker, Dolby audio, Dual microphones Dimensions:  155.8×75.9×9.98mm; Weight: 170g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5, GPS ...

Toreto Whizz waterproof Bluetooth Stereo headset with on-device music storage launched in India

Toreto has launched 'Whizz' waterproof wireless headsets. These pack lightweight design and are also flexible. It comes with a 200mAh battery with up to 8 hours of backup. It comes with one of the smartest features including redialling a number; on triple clicking the Multi-Functional Button (MFB). It comes with an 8 GB inbuilt memory, it lets users play music and audio files on the go, without the added efforts and stress of having to connect or tether with a smartphone or music player. The device comes with a frequency range of 2.40GHz -2.48GHz which works upto a distance of 10m. It connects through 4.2 Bluetooth versions and supports most audio formats including MP3/WMA/WAV/APE/FLAC files. These headsets also come with a 1-year warranty. Thanks to in-line controls, users can control volume and also take or reject calls with just one push of a button. It comes with a micro USB charging port for charging. The Toreto Whizz is available in classic black color and is priced at Rs. 3,999, but you can get it for as low as Rs. 2,799 on Amazon.in.

Google to limit call log and SMS permission access to apps on Play Store, announces new Android Contacts API restrictions

Google announced that it is refining its 'Developer Program Policies' to include limits to call log and SMS permission access, prohibitions against surveillance and "commercial spyware apps," and new Android Contacts API restrictions. Google to allow access to Call Log and SMS data for apps that are set as "default" for those actions. This change will come in to effect January 7th, 2019, however, there are exceptions like backup or voicemail apps. Google's Malicious Behavior policy now includes prohibitions against surveillance and commercial spyware. The Enforcement section now offers a better explanation for the extent of Google's policy coverage and actions that will be taken against policy violations. Google is also warning developers to prevent misrepresenting target age group requirements of the child or family-focused apps. Google is also removing user information available on the Contacts Provider. Calls and SMS are among the biggest to take a toll as they need to be set as default for access user data. Source 1, 2

Google Slides gets real-time automated closed captions

Google today has launched automated closed captions in Google Slides. The feature will gradually roll out to all Slides users starting this week. The closed captions feature is available when presenting in Google Slides. It uses your computer’s microphone to detect your spoken presentation, then transcribes in real time. Once you begin the presentation, click the “CC” button in the navigation box. As you start speaking into your device’s microphone, automated captions will appear in real time at the bottom of your screen for your audience to see. The feature works for a single user presenting on a laptop or desktop computer, using the Chrome browser. The captions are powered by machine learning and heavily influenced by the speaker's accent, voice modulation, and intonation. Closed captioning can also be a benefit when the presenter is speaking a non-native language or is not projecting their voice. The fact that the feature was built primarily for accessibility purposes. Source

Intel 9th Gen Core desktop CPUs – i9-9900K, i7-9700K and i5-9600K, Core X-Series, and Xeon W-3175X announced

Intel has announced new 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K which is its gaming processor. The i9-9900K offers eight cores and 16 threads, clocked at a base frequency of 3.6 GHz, boost up to 5.0 GHz. Other Intel Core X-series processors include 9th Gen Core i5 and Core i7 models; the i7-9700K, i5-9600K and the Intel Xeon W-3175X processor. The 9th Gen Core i7-9700K comes with eight cores and eight threads, and base 3.6 GHz clock speed (which can be boosted to 4.9 GHz); and the i5-9600K which packs six cores and six threads at a base 3.7 GHz speed, boost speed up to 4.6GHz.  The company claims that the 9th Gen Intel Core i9-9900K is the world’s best processor for gaming. The new chips are still based off Intel’s existing 14nm process. All three of the 9th Gen Intel Core processors enable fast, immersive experience for gamers, with up to 8 cores and 16 threads, up to 5.0 GHz single-core turbo frequency, 16 MB Intel Smart Cache, up to 40 platform PCIe 3.0 lanes for system expandability for gaming, creating and overclocking. The Meltdown Variant 3 and L1 Terminal Fault issues and remaining protections done through software. It enables more than 220 FPS on three of the ...

Microsoft announces Project xCloud gaming platform to let you play games anywhere

Microsoft today has introduced the Project xCloud which is its state-of-the-art global game-streaming technology that will offer you the freedom to play on the device you want without being locked to a particular device. It will give users the choice in when and where they play.  Microsoft also said that developers of the more than 3,000 games available on Xbox One, and upcoming games, will be able to deploy and scale access to their games across all devices on Project xCloud with no additional work. The company said that it will begin public trials in 2019 so it can learn and scale with different volumes and locations. The main goal with Project xCloud is to deliver a quality experience for all gamers on all devices that are consistent with the speed and high-fidelity gamers experience and expect on their PCs and consoles. https://youtu.be/IzV_xrisMko The company is enabling compatibility with existing and future Xbox games by building custom hardware for its data centers that leverage on Microsoft's console and platform experience. It designed a new customizable blade that can host the component parts of multiple Xbox One consoles, as well as the associated infrastructure supporting it. Microsoft is currently testing Project xCloud on mobile phones, tablets ...

Facebook Portal and Portal+ video calling devices with Alexa voice assistant, AI smart camera tech announced

Facebook, after a long delay and much hype, has launched the Portal and Portal+, its two new video communication devices for the home. It comes with AI technology where it can make video calling easier and more like hanging out, while a widescreen display.  The Portal sports a 10-inch HD (1280 x 800) display, while the Portal+ packs a large 15-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) pivoting display. The AI Portal’s Smart Camera and Smart Sound technology offer users hands-free experience. The Smart Camera stays with the action and automatically pans and zooms to keep everyone in view. Smart Sound minimizes background noise and enhances the voice of whoever is talking, no matter where they move. You can call Facebook friends and connections on Messenger even if they don’t have Portal and it supports group calls of up to seven people at the same time. Portal also has Amazon Alexa built in, so you have access to a  voice experience to ask for sports scores, check the weather, control smart home devices, order groceries, and more. Since privacy is a main concern, it is giving users the ability to completely disable the camera and microphone with a single tap. Portal and Portal+ also come with a camera ...

Google is shutting down Google+ following massive data breach

Google earlier this year started Project Strobe which is review system for third-party developer access to Google account and Android device data and its philosophy around apps’ data access. Google today is announcing the first four findings and actions from this review. Google is shutting down Google+ for consumers. The company says that users over the years wanted to better understand how to control the data they choose to share with apps on Google+.  So as part of Project Strobe, the company's first priorities was to closely review all the APIs associated with Google+.  As the consumer version of Google+ currently has low usage and engagement; 90% of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds. The company has also discovered a bug in one of the Google+ People APIs; users can grant access to their Profile data, and the public Profile information of their friends, to Google+ apps, via the API. The bug meant that apps also had access to Profile fields that were shared with the user, but not marked as public. This data is limited to static, optional Google+ Profile fields including name, email address, occupation, gender, and age. It does not include any other data you may have posted or connected to Google+ or any other service, like ...

Apple releases iOS 12.0.1 update with fixes for wired charging issue, Wi-Fi bug and more

Even though Apple might have teased the upcoming iOS 12.1 update that will bring several new features including 70 new emojis, it has released iOS 12.0.1 update for the iPhone and iPad that brings fixes for several issues, including the  weird charging bug on the iPhone XS. This bug caused the phone not charge automatically despite being plugged in. The update also fixes a major Wi-Fi bug that could cause some iPhone XS devices to prefer to join a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network rather than a 5GHz, as well as reorientation of the "123" number key on the iPad, which was moved in the iOS 12 update and swapped with the emoji/language key. Check out the complete changelog below. iOS 12.0.1 includes bug fixes and improvements for your iPhone or iPad. This update: - Fixes an issue where some iPhone XS devices do not immediately charge when connected to a Lightning cable - Resolves an issue that could cause iPhone XS devices to rejoin a Wi-Fi network at 2.4 GHz instead of 5 GHz - Restores the original position of the ".?123" key on the iPad keyboard - Fixes an issue where subtitles may not appear in some video apps - Addresses an issue where Bluetooth could become unavailable

Xiaomi Festive sale: Up to Rs. 7000 off, exchange offers on smartphones; Discounts, extended warranty on select Mi LED Smart TVs and more

Just in time for the festive season, Xiaomi India has announced exciting offers on its wide range of smartphones, accessories and ecosystem products across partner platforms and Mi.com. The sale is being held across Amazon’s Great Indian Shopping Festival, Flipkart’s Big Billion Days and Mi.com’s Mi Super Sale later this week.  Amazon’s Great Indian Shopping Festival from 10 to 15 October with early Prime access on 9 October will have Rs. 1000 and Rs. 2000 discounts on Redmi Y2 (3GB + 32GB) and Redmi Y2 (4GB + 64GB), respectively and these will be available for Rs. 8,999 and Rs. 10,999.  All products have 10% Instant Discount on SBI Debit and Credit Card, except Redmi 6A. Flipkart’s Big Billion Days  from 10 to 14 October with early Flipkart Plus member access on 9 October and mobile sale from 11 October will have Rs. 2,000 discount on Redmi Note 5 Pro for the first time and will be available starting Rs. 12,999. Mi LED Smart TV 4A (32) and Mi LED Smart TV 4A (43) will get a price drop of Rs. 500 and Rs. 2000 respectively, and will be available for Rs. 13,499 and Rs. 20,999.   All products have a 10% Instant Discount ...