Honor 8C with 6.26-inch 19:9 display, Snapdragon 632, dual rear cameras, Dual 4G VoLTE, 4000mAh battery announced

Huawei's Honor brand just announced the Honor 8C, the company's latest budget smartphone and the successor of the Honor 7C in China, as it had promised. It has a 6.26-inch HD+ 19:9 aspect ratio display with a notch, is the first smartphone to be powered by the latest Snapdragon 632 SoC, has up to 4GB of RAM, comes with a 13-megapixel rear camera with LED flash along with a secondary 2-megapixel camera for capturing depth information in portrait shots and AI scene recognition. It comes with an 8-megapixel camera on the front with AI beautify features. It has 3D nano-level texture design, combining the gradient color and glare, offering an unique light and shadow circulation effect, features a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. It has Dual 4G VoLTE support, dedicated Dual SIM and microSD slots, and packs a 4000mAh battery that promises up to 12.5 hours of online video playback. Honor 8C specifications 6.26-inch (1520 × 720 pixels) Full HD+ display with 19:9 aspect ratio 1.8GHz Octa-Core Snapdragon 632 14nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 506 GPU 4GB RAM, 32GB / 64GB storage, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Dual SIM Android 8.1 (Oreo) with EMUI 8.2 13MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 ...

Microsoft and Open Invention Network join hands to bring 6000 patents to open network

Microsoft announced that it joined hands with Open Invention Network (“OIN”) which is a community dedicated to protecting Linux and other open source software programs from patent risk. With this association, Microsoft believes that it will be able to do more than ever to help protect Linux and other important open source workloads from patent assertions. Microsoft says that collaborative development through the open source process can accelerate innovation. Both the companies will demonstrate a commitment to open source software (OSS) and innovation through collaborative development. With more than 2,650 members, including numerous Fortune 500 enterprises, OIN is the largest patent non-aggression community and represents a core set of community values related to open source licensing, which has become the norm. OIN’s community practices patent non-aggression in core open source technologies by cross-licensing Linux System patents to one another on a royalty-free basis. Patents owned by Open Invention Network are similarly licensed royalty-free to any organization that agrees not to assert its patents against the Linux System. Erich Andersen Corporate Vice President, Deputy General Counsel said: Joining OIN reflects Microsoft’s patent practice evolving in lock-step with the company’s views on Linux and open source more generally. We began this journey over two years ago through programs ...

Insta360 ONE X 5.7K 360° action camera with FlowState stabilization announced

Insta360 has introduced the One X which is a 5.7K camera that uses 360° capture, groundbreaking stabilization, and cinematic slow-mo to expand camera possibilities. It is compatible with iOS and Android. The company says it is more than a 360-degree shooter that gives possibilities to do more during and after capture. It combines an unlimited field of view with gimbal-level stabilization and new high-FPS shooting modes. It can record 5.7K videos at 30 FPS, 4K at 50fps and 3K at 100fps with super smooth shooting modes. It packs an 18MP sensor and uses the upgraded FlowState stabilization algorithm, analyzing movement in all directions. https://youtu.be/UVrnYOFEBOA The FlowState lets users capture impossibly smooth video with no accessories needed. Using the ONE X’s editing app, users can easily reframe and re-edit the best parts of a scene, creating cinematic clips. The ONE X’s new TimeShift feature lets users adjust the speed of different parts of a clip on a whim. It also introduces a unique Bullet Time shot, an orbiting perspective that puts a user at the center of an epic slow-mo shot. Connectivity features include a super-fast 5.8 GHz WiFi, Lightning, USB Type-C and Micro-USB cables come standard with the ONE X. It packs a 1200mAh battery. The Insta360 ONE X action camera is priced at ...

Apple to buy a part of Dialog Semiconductor in $600 million deal

Dialog Semiconductor plc has announced an agreement with Apple Inc. to license certain of its power management technologies, transfer certain of its assets and over 300 employees to Apple to support chip research and development. Apple will pay $300 million in cash for the transaction and prepay $300 million for Dialog products to be delivered over the next three years. The company says that the employees who are being transferred have worked closely with Apple for many years, and this transition will foster deeper collaboration between the two companies. Dialog also announces that it has been awarded a broad range of new contracts from Apple for the development and supply of power management, audio subsystem, charging and other mixed-signal integrated circuits.  The Revenue from the new contracts is expected to be realized starting in 2019 and accelerating in 2020 and 2021. Dialog’s 2018 revenue will not be affected by this agreement, and the company will continue shipments of current products in production to Apple. The transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2019. Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies said: Dialog has deep expertise in chip development, and we are thrilled to have this talented group of ...

Nokia 8110 4G VoLTE phone with 2.4-inch Curved display launched in India for Rs. 5999

HMD Global just launched the Nokia 8110 4G feature phone in India, months after it was introduced at the MWC earlier this year. It comes with 2.4-inch QVGA Curved display, intuitive tactile mechanics with slide to answer and end the call, and a helicopter-style spin on its axis. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 205 Mobile Platform clocked at 1.1GHz Dual-Core processor. It comes with access to an app store with apps like Google Assistant, Google Search, Google Maps, Facebook, and Twitter, lets send and receive emails, import your contacts and sync your calendar with Outlook and Gmail. It also comes with a revamped version of Snake game. It comes with Dual SIM support in India with support for WiFi hotspot and packs a 2000mAh battery. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZ_bsCU1-PM Nokia 8110 4G specifications 2.4-inch (320 x 240 pixels) QVGA display 1.1GHz Dual-Core Qualcomm 205 Mobile Platform (MSM8905) with Adreno 304 GPU 512MB RAM, 4GB internal storage, expandable memory up with microSD Dual SIM (micro + nano) Smart Feature OS powered by KaiOS 2MP rear camera with LED flash Drip protection (IP52) Dimensions: 133.45 x 49.3 x 14.9 mm; Weight: 117 g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n with WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, GPS, USB 2.0 2000mAh battery The Nokia 8110 4G comes in Black and Yellow ...

Nokia 3.1 Plus Android One smartphone with 6-inch 18:9 display, dual rear cameras launched in India for Rs. 11499

HMD Global today launched Nokia 3.1 Plus, the company's latest Android One smartphone at an event in Delhi. It has a 6-inch HD+ display, is powered by an Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P22 SoC, runs Android 8.1 (Oreo), has a  13-megapixel rear camera along with a 5-megapixel secondary camera for portrait shots. It also has an 8-megapixel front camera. It has a metal-like matte finish, comes with a fingerprint sensor on the back, has dedicated Dual SIM and microSD slots and packs a 3500mAh battery that promises up to 2 days of battery life. Nokia 3.1 Plus specifications 6-inch (1440 × 720 pixels) HD+ 18:9 2.5D curved glass display with toughened glass for protection 2GHz Octa-Core MediaTek Helio P22 (MT6762) 12nm processor with 650MHz IMG PowerVR GE8320 GPU 2GB LPPDDR3 RAM with 16GB (eMMC 5.1) storage, 3GB LPPDDR3 RAM with 32GB  (eMMC 5.1) storage, expandable memory up to 400GB with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo), upgradable to Android 9.0 (Pie) Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) 13MP rear camera with LED Flash,  f/2.0 aperture, secondary 5MP camera with f/2.4 aperture 8MP front-facing camera with f/2.2 aperture Fingerprint sensor 3.5mm audio jack, FM Radio Dimensions: 156.88 x 76.44 x 8.19 mm; Weight: 180g 4G VoLTE, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, ...

Snapchat introduces Snap Original with 12 original web-series, documentaries

Snapchat has unveiled the 'Snap Original' which is a platform where exclusive shows are created by some of the world's greatest storytellers, with new episodes, released every day. The first Snap Original includes Co-Ed, a new comedy from the Duplass Brothers. Other Snap Originals are Class of Lies, a mystery thriller from one of the minds behind Riverdale; and Endless Summer, a docuseries following rising stars in Laguna Beach from Bunim/Murray, the creators of Keeping Up with the Kardashians. The Snap Originals will also feature new Show Portals, letting you swipe up and step inside a scene from a Show to experience it for yourself. https://youtu.be/GWevfgANJNk Snap Originals will also have Lenses, Filters, and other fun ways for you to share the show experience with your friends. Snap Originals are available to watch now from the Discover page or search for a show on Snapchat. Source

Google challenges $5.04 billion European Commission antitrust fine

Alphabet unit Google has challenged the fine imposed by the European Union antitrust regulators in July. The commission has fined Google a record 4.34-billion euro (£3.8 billion) for imposing illegal restrictions on Android device manufacturers and mobile networks to cement its dominant position in general internet search. Google in a statement said that “We have now filed our appeal of the EC’s Android decision at the General Court of the EU.” The company had previously said it would take the case to Europe’s second highest court in Luxembourg. As for the European Commission, in its July decision said that Google had abused its market dominance since 2011. It further said that Google imposed conditions that manufacturers have to pre-install the Google Search app and browser app (Chrome) as a condition for licensing Google’s PlayStore. Google said to have made payments to certain manufacturers and mobile network operators on condition that they exclusively use the Google Search app on their devices. Since it is a complex case, it could take several years before judges rule on it. A final appeal is possible at Europe’s top court, the Court of Justice of the European Union. Source

Google confirms gesture-based navigation is default on Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

Android 9.0 Pie brings new gesture navigation that replaces three software nav buttons. This new gesture-based navigation requires you to swipe back and forth between apps and menus. This new navigation method is optional on the Pixel and Pixel 2, but Google has confirmed that it is default on the Pixel 3.  The new gesture-based navigation system cannot be disabled or swapped either. Google on Twitter said that "Pixel 3 introduces a new pattern that will represent navigation on all Android phones going forward, the tweet said. "While change & adapting to new patterns is hard, we believe it's a better navigation pattern & makes app switching a faster experience." Hi! Pixel 3 introduces a new pattern that will represent navigation on all Android phones going forward. While change & adapting to new patterns is hard, we believe it's a better navigation pattern & makes app switching a faster experience. — Made by Google (@madebygoogle) October 9, 2018 However, this doesn't come as a surprise especially since it is enabled by default on the new phones with Pie. So, if you were hoping on using the classic nav buttons on your Pixel 3, this might be a bit disappointing.

Essential said to be developing new AI-Phone that would automatically respond to messages for you

Essential, the startup run by Android creator Andy Rubin said to be working on a new kind of smartphone that will mimic its owner and automatically respond to messages on their behalf, according to sources. To pursue this project, the company said to have put aside all the other projects. The company had a smart home speaker in the development but paused it months after canceling the smartphone that has been in the works. Since Essential PH-1 wasn't a smash hit among the masses and the company is abandoning the effort partly because the product is too similar to others on the market. Moving along, the design of the upcoming new phone isn’t like a standard smartphone. It would have a small screen and require users to interact mainly using voice commands, in concert with Essential’s artificial-intelligence software. The main idea behind this product is to book appointments or respond to emails and text messages on its own, according to the people familiar with the plans. Users would also be able to make phone calls from the planned device. This would also be the company's last ray of hope to break into the smartphone market dominated by Apple, Samsung.  As novel as the concept ...