Vivo NEX 2 with dual displays, triple rear cameras, in-display fingerprint sensor teased, to be announced this December

Vivo introduced its NEX smartphone back in June, now after rumors, the company has started teasing the sucessor in three new videos in China. These teasers confirm dual displays for the smartphone, triple rear cameras, and a ring light around the camera. Dual displays will be similar to the Nubia X without a notch since it doesn’t have a front camera. The earpiece is present on the edge, as seen in the images. Since there is a display on the back, you can use rear cameras to take selfies. It will feature an in-display fingerprint sensor. Check out the teaser videos below. [embed]https://1253128055.vod2.myqcloud.com/db0c6f87vodtransgzp1253128055/bc6e4b395285890783294498162/v.f40.mp4[/embed] [embed]https://1253128055.vod2.myqcloud.com/db0c6f87vodtransgzp1253128055/c0d0c6535285890783294659121/v.f40.mp4[/embed] The phone is expected to be powered by Snapdragon 845 SoC with up to 8GB of RAM, similar to the predecessor. The Vivo NEX 2 will go official sometime later this month. Even though it is rumored to be announced on December 11th, we should know the exact date in the coming days. We should also know the complete specifications of the phone once it gets certified. Source 1, 2

ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 with 6-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 660, 5000mAh battery launching in India on December 11

ASUS has finally confirmed that it will launch the Zenfone Max Pro M2 smartphone in India on December 11th, same date as Indonesia. It will be exclusively launched on Flipkart. The company confirmed notch display with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection, Snapdragon SoC, Sony sensor for the rear camera and a large battery promising over two days of battery life. We had already seen images of the smartphone  that revealed a glass back and rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Rumored specifications include a 6-inch FHD+ screen, Snapdragon 660 SoC with up to 6GB of RAM, 12-megapixel rear camera with  Sony IMX486 sensor, secondary 5-megapixel camera and a 5000mAh battery. ASUS Zenfone Max Pro M2 rumored specifications 6.26-inch (2280 × 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:9 display with Corning Gorilla Glass 6 protection Octa Core Snapdragon 660 14nm Mobile Platform (Quad 2.2GHz Kryo 260 + Quad 1.8GHz Kryo 260 CPUs) with Adreno 512 GPU 4GB RAM with 64GB storage, 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, expandable memory with microSD Android 8.1 (Oreo) Dual SIM 12MP rear camera with LED flash, Sony IMX486 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, 1.25μm pixel size, PDAF, EIS, secondary 5MP camera 13MP front camera with f/2.0 aperture, LED flash Fingerprint sensor 3.5mm audio jack, NXP Smart Amp Dual 4G ...

Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2 with Snapdragon 660, 6-inch FHD+ display and Asus Zenfone Max M2 surface in press renders

It is already known that Asus is working on a sequel to the Zenfone Max M1; the Max M2 (ZB631KL) and Zenfone Max Pro M2 (ZB633KL). These new phones are expected to pack huge batteries like the predecessor but the most important thing is the brand new design as well as upgraded hardware. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC clocked at 2.2GHz Octa-Core processor, while the regular model will have the same Snapdragon 636 SoC clocked at 1.8GHz Octa-Core processor. Both the variants will post a 6-inch Full HD+ 19:5:9 notch display. The notch is slightly wider on the Max M2 than on the Max Pro M2. The ZenFone Max M2 comes in two variants; 4GB RAM and 32GB storage and another with the same 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. The Max Pro M2 comes with 4GB RAM and storage options include 64/128GB with support for the microSD card slot. The Pro variant will also have a 6GB RAM variant just like the Pro M1. The ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 expected to pack a 12-megapixel Sony IMX486 sensor on the back, coupled with a 5MP secondary shooter. The regular Max M2 will have a 13MP sensor but no further information ...

Apple finally implements Indian Govt’s TRAI DND – Do Not Disturb app on iPhone

Threatened by the TRAI, Apple is finally implementing the anti-spam measures for iPhones in India. TRAI has warned Apple to ban iPhones from the country's cellular network if the company didn’t approve a government-developed Do Not Disturb app by January 2019. With the deadline approaching fast, Apple has finally implemented and the app is available on App Store. The app is named 'TRAI DND – Do Not Disturb' promises to help users curb unwanted phone calls and text messages — an issue that has become hugely problematic within the country. The app combats by letting users join a “do not disturb” registry and allowing them to report unwanted contacts. Google allowed the app in its PlayStore back in 2019 and the app was being updated to 2.0 earlier this year. Citing the privacy concerns, Apple didn't allow the app to be released on the App Store though it agreed to cooperate on a version of the app that wouldn’t share a user’s call or message logs with Indian authorities. At the moment, it is unclear the version of DND that is released in the App Store follows the additional privacy protections beyond what was originally devised by TRAI. The registration process appears to leverage the SMS/Call ...

Google said to be planning on shutting down Hangouts in 2020

According to a new report, Google said to be planning on shutting down Hangouts sometime in 2020. This doesn't come as a surprise as Google stopped any further development of the app more than a year ago. Given how Google abandonment the development of the app, many have already transitioned away from using it. However, Hangout still remains a prominent chat option in Gmail on the web and the app is still live on PlayStore till date but many recent user reviews clearly indicate that the app is aging, noting bugs and performance issues. However, Hangouts as a brand will continue to live on with G Suite’s Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet, the former intended to be a team communication app and the latter a video meetings platform. Google's Voice calling which started off as an independent was then integrated into Hangouts was again moved back out into becoming its own redesigned app earlier this year. Despite the shortcoming, Hangouts was one of the few apps to get support for Android Auto's new MMS and RCS functionality. Source

Amazon Echo speakers finally get support for Apple Music

Apple Music support is finally coming to Amazon's Echo speakers and this will enable Apple Music subscribers to play Apple Music’s 50 million songs on Echo devices. Customers will be able to ask Alexa to play their favorite songs, artists, and albums—or any of the playlists made by Apple Music’s editors from around the world. Customers will also be able to ask Alexa to stream expert-made radio stations centered on popular genres like Hip-Hop, decades like the 80s, and even music from around the world, like K-Pop. You need to enable the Apple Music skill in the Alexa app and link your account to start listening. Customers ask Alexa to play all kinds of music in many different languages. Dave Limp, senior vice president, Amazon Devices said: Music is one of the most popular features on Alexa—since we launched Alexa four years ago, customers are listening to more music in their homes than ever before. We are committed to offering great music providers to our customers and since launching the Music Skill API to developers just last month, we’ve expanded the music selection on Alexa to include even more top tier services. We’re thrilled to bring Apple Music – one of the most ...

Google to roll out Call Screen transcription for all Pixel phones later this year [Update: Now rolling out]

Update: Google is now rolling out Call Screen transcript feature for select users. You can view this under Recent calls -> Call Details -> See transcript. Earlier: One of the handiest features Google introduced with Pixel 3 was Call Screen, meaning it will screen unknown calls so you know who’s calling and why before picking up. It will display a new "Screen call" button when you get an incoming call. Just hit the button and it will start screening the call. The system will ask why they're calling and you'll see a transcript of their response in real-time. Then you can decide whether to pick up, mark the call as spam, or tap to respond with one of the quick replies. Google says that this ability to screen calls is designed to help you quickly determine whether the call is important. The feature is powered by AI and runs in real-time on your device. The company says that the experience is fast, responsive, and private to you. It keeps power consumption to a minimum and even works without a data connection. Call Screen is initially available in English to Pixel 3 users in the US and will launch to Pixel 1 and 2 users ...

Instagram now lets you share Stories with ‘Close Friends’ list

Instagram has announced the ability to create a close friend list on Stories and share your Stories just with them. Thanks to this feature, you have the flexibility to share more personal moments with a smaller group that you choose. To add people to your list, go to your profile and tap on “Close Friends” in the side menu. Only you can see your close friends list and no one can request to be added and you also have the ability to adjust the list whenever you want. When you share to Stories, you’ll see the option to share with just the people on your close friend's list. If someone has added you to their list, you will see a green badge when you’re viewing their stories. You’ll also see a green ring around their profile photo in the Stories tray. Instagram Close Friends feature is already available for Android and iOS worldwide. Source

HMD Global schedules an event in India on December 10, Nokia 8.1 with 6.18-inch FHD+ display, Snapdragon 710 expected

HMD Global has started sending out invites for the launch of a new smartphone in India on December 12th in Delhi. Based on the 'Expect more' teasers, the company is expected to launch the Nokia 8.1 at the event. It was supposed to happen on December 6th, now the event has been postponed to 10th. Since the Nokia 7.1 has been launched in India, the December 12th event, few days after the global event in Dubai on December 5th, might actually see the Nokia 8.1 (X7) be launched in India. Nokia 8.1 (X7) specifications 6.18-inch (2246 × 1080 pixels) Full HD+ Puredisplay with 18.7:9 aspect ratio, 500 nits brightness, 96% NTSC Color gamut, DCI-P3, 1500:1 Contrast ratio Octa Core Snapdragon 710 10nm Mobile Platform (Dual 2.2GHz Kryo 360 + Hexa 1.7GHz Kryo 360 CPUs) with Adreno 616 GPU 4GB (LPPDDR4x) RAM with 64GB (eMMC 5.1) storage / 6GB (LPPDDR4x) RAM with 128GB (eMMC 5.1)  storage, expandable memory up to 400GB with microSD Hybrid Dual SIM (nano + nano / microSD) Android 9.0 (Pie) 12MP rear camera with dual-tone LED flash, 1/2.55″ Sony IMX363 sensor, f/1.8 aperture, 1.4μm pixels, OIS, 13MP secondary rear camera with f/2.2 aperture 20MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture Fingerprint sensor Dimensions:  154.8×75.76×7.97mm; ...

SIRIN LABS FINNEY Blockchain phone with cold storage crypto wallet announced

SIRIN LABS has announced the commercial launch of FINNEY which is its the first blockchain smartphone. It runs on SIRIN OS and offers a truly mobile blockchain experience with an embedded cold storage crypto wallet. SIRIN LABS also said that it is looking for strategic OEMs to implement SIRIN OS in consumer devices. SIRIN LABS will open two flagship concept stores first in London in December and later in Tokyo in January 2019. The London store will also function as a blockchain academy for our community, and any blockchain-curious audience. SIRIN says that its OS is an infrastructure platform for secure mobile transactions to enable blockchain functionality within a mobile environment. SIRIN OS is based on Google Android. https://youtu.be/zJmzToTnZJc SIRIN OS enables the unique functionality of FINNEY including the cold storage crypto wallet and the native crypto wallet application, a behavioral machine learning based multi-layered cybersecurity suite, the Token Conversion Service (TCS) and embedded dCENTER. It comes with the unique sliding design of the Safe Screen and operates as the gateway to the crypto world by activating the cold storage wallet. Functioning on dedicated hardware and software. As for the FINNEY specifications; it sports a 6-inch Full HD+ 18:9 display with a notch with 128GB storage. ...