10 years since the first Galaxy – Can Samsung stay at the top?

  "Samsung Galaxy" is undoubtedly one of the most well-known brands in the world of smartphones. This series began as an answer to the iPhone with Samsung's motivation to offer a valid alternative. Since then, Samsung has become one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers globally. Tomorrow's launch will be its biggest milestone in the celebration of the Korean conglomerate's 10th anniversary of the Galaxy S smartphone to be unveiled ahead of Mobile World Congress 2019 (MWC) tomorrow. In anticipation, let's take a pause to look at what made Samsung's brand "Galaxy" so famous. It's funny that Samsung has now become one of the few handset makers that offers a ton of value without compromising on the quality, because it was absolutely the opposite before. Over the years, the company has faced both massive successes and blows, but still stayed on top. But the previous couple of years have been tough with the market evolving in interesting ways. Attention has shifted to India and Samsung finds itself a bit late. Better than never. Even though Samsung undercuts the rivals like Apple and Google in the premium smartphone category, it has been a herculean task for the company down in the trenches to reclaim the ...

Qualcomm Snapdragon X55 7nm 5G modem with 7Gbps download speeds announced

Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon X55 5G modem, which is the company's second-generation 5G New Radio (NR) modem. The Snapdragon X55 is a 7-nanometer single-chip integrated 5G to a 2G multimode modem that supports 5G NR mmWave and sub-6GHz spectrum bands with up to 7Gbps download speeds and 3Gbps upload speeds over 5G, and Category 22 LTE with up to 2.5 Gbps LTE download speeds. The Snapdragon X55 5G modem is designed for global 5G roll out with support for all major frequency bands. The Snapdragon X55 modem is engineered to support dynamic spectrum sharing between 4G and 5G, enabling operators to accelerate 5G deployments by using their existing 4G spectrum holdings to deliver both 4G & 5G services dynamically. It also supports high-power fixed wireless access (FWA) services and equipment. https://youtu.be/gjQFLjQsqAY Snapdragon X55 includes the baseband, RF IC, and complete RF front-end for mmWave and sub-6 GHz. The Snapdragon X55 5G modem pairs with the newly announced 5G mmWave antenna module QTM525 which is a new single-chip 14nm RF transceiver for 5G sub-6 GHz and LTE, and sub-6 GHz RF front-end modules. it supports 100 MHz envelope tracking technology, and adaptive antenna tuning for 5G sub-6 GHz, designed for power-efficient connectivity for the next generation ...

OnePlus to showcase first 5G prototype at MWC 2019

As we move closer to the MWC 2019 event, brands are lining up to showcase their best yet. OnePlus is new to join. The company will be showing the first OnePlus 5G prototype smartphone powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Mobile Platform at MWC. The company says that attendees will experience 5G cloud gaming on the new 5G prototype device. The company has scheduled the event for February 26th and OnePlus CEO Pete Lau will be joined by Qualcomm President Cristiano R. Amon, and EE CEO Marc Allera will be present at the conference. To prepare for 5G, OnePlus established its own research labs and began research on the 5G way back in 2016. In 2017, it started working with Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., on OnePlus’ 5G device development. In August of 2018, the OnePlus 5G Project Team successfully established a 5G connection to Qualcomm Technologies’ laboratory located in San Diego, in the US. The company made the world’s first 5G tweet by connecting a prototype device to a 5G Non-standalone Network, via an LTE b7 + 5G NR n78 air interface. OnePlus has already announced that it would launch the first commercial 5G smartphone powered by Snapdragon 855 in Europe with EE in 2019. Marc Allera, CEO ...

Qualcomm said to be testing QM215 SoC for Android Go phones

Qualcomm is said to be working on a new super low-end QM215 SoC that is likely targeted at the new generation Android Go smartphones. Meaning the SoC should be found on devices with 1/2GB RAM and 8/16GB storage with HD+ display. It is also possible this could be outside of Snapdragon range and a start of new series.  The new chip was found in the Qualcomm's import/export databases and in Qualcomm's proprietary developer platforms. Since there is no 'S' in the naming, Qualcomm might market the new chip outside of the Snapdragon series. One reason for this could be to focus on the entry-level market. At the moment, very little is known about the new chip, but it seems to be a Quad-Core chip with 1.3GHz clock speed and a 650 megahertz fast graphics unit. The QM215 is also closely related to the Snapdragon 410 and Snapdragon 425, so probably, the company might be using the basics of these older SoCs and launch it with updated peripheral technology including a faster modem. Qualcomm is already testing reference devices with the new QM215, and we already know that at least one well-known smartphone maker is also developing a corresponding device. The prototype devices are each equipped with 1/2GB LPDDR3 RAM and 8/16GB storage. ...

FTC complaint accuses Facebook of revealing sensitive health data in Groups

A complaint has been raised on Facebook with the FTC accusing the company of failing to protect sensitive health data in its groups. The complaint was released publicly earlier today and was filed in January 2019. It urges that the company improperly disclosed information on members of closed groups. The issue first appeared in the news in July 2018, when members of a group for women with a gene mutation called BRCA discovered sensitive information, like names and email addresses of members, could be downloaded in bulk, either manually or through a Chrome extension. However, Facebook made changes to the groups that ended this practice but mentioned that it is not related to the BRCA group’s concerns. The company also said at the time that the ability to view the data was not a privacy flaw, and noted that there was also an option for “secret” groups, which are more difficult to join but also have more limited discoverability. The complaint was filed by a security researcher and BRCA advocates, among others. While the company might have also made changes to the ability to view personal information, the complaint argues that it is still too easy for a member to harvest information on others in ...

Instagram working on ‘Donation’ sticker to raise funds for non-profits

Commerce will be a huge part of Facebook's 2019 roadmap as confirmed by the company's CEO Mark Zuckerberg. In-line with the plan, the company is said to be working on launching a fundraiser sticker in 2019 that would potentially gather credit card info. Facebook’s own Donate buttons have raised $1 billion.  New code from Instagram's Android app reveals that the fundraiser stickers will allow users to search for nonprofits and add a Donate button for them to your Instagram Story. After you’ve donated to something once, Instagram could offer instant checkout on stuff you want to buy using the same payment details. Though Facebook could have easily added a 'remove credit card' option right after a user donated, it never did. The new Instagram code in the Android app details how users will be able to search for nonprofits or browse collections of Suggested charities and ones they follow. They can then overlay a Donate button sticker on their Instagram Story that their followers can click through to contribute. Even though Facebook isn’t charging a fee on transactions, using higher commerce conversion rates convinces merchants to buy more ads on the platform. A Facebook spokesperson said: We are in the early stages and working hard ...

Huawei P30 series to be announced on March 26 in Paris

After rumors, Huawei has announced that it will introduce its flagship P30 series of smartphones at an event in Paris on March 26th. It has #RewriteTheRules tagline and the company says that 'Rules were made to be rewritten'. As usual, the next-generation P-Series smartphone will focus on the camera, and the teaser hints at loss-less zoom. Rules were made to be rewritten. Paris, 26.03.2019. #RewriteTheRules #HUAWEIP30 pic.twitter.com/hFzZI3pVYr — Huawei Mobile (@HuaweiMobile) February 19, 2019 Earlier rumors revealed that the P30 series will also embrace the triple rear camera setup with a maximum resolution of 40MP and 5x lossless zoom and a 24MP front-camera for the P30, while the P30 Pro is expected to come with better cameras. While other rumors indicate that the P30 will pack upcoming Sony IMX607 38MP sensor. The P30 Pro could feature periscope camera with support for 10X Hybrid optical zoom capability. The P30 and P30 Pro are rumored to come with a 6.1-inch and 6.5 (2340×1080 pixels) OLED screens and run Android 9.0 (Oreo). The P30 is said to come with 22.5w fast charge, while the P30 Pro is expected come with 40w super fast charge like the Mate 20 Pro. Huawei is already teasing a foldable phone with 5G ...

Samsung Galaxy S10 ‘Emotional LED Lighting Effect’ case surfaces

Samsung's Unpacked event will kickstart tomorrow where the company will launch the S10 flagship series. We have come across various details about the flagships including the hardware specifications, the design of S10 and S10 Plus, and just we thought there's almost nothing left for the imagination, the company is expected to launch an 'Emotional LED Lighting Effect' case for the S10, S10 Plus, and the S10 E.  Would you like an "Emotional LED Lighting Effect" with your #GalaxyS10e? pic.twitter.com/DvQV6m8h2e — Roland Quandt (@rquandt) February 18, 2019 While Samsung's traditional flip covers are usually useful as they would display notifications and a clock on the front of your phone, the new LED covers seems less desirable because the LEDs are on the back. The glittery patterns look tacky at least from the renders. The notifications are only handy if the phone is laying face down. This cover presumably will be powered from the phone's inductive charging system given that's what the past versions have done. It might use a bit your battery to sparkle the LED effects on the back of your phone. Since Samsung is launching three models of S10, it will be available for all variants and might cost somewhere around $50-$100. Apart from the LED ...

Android Q revamped gestures said to ditch back button

Google with Android Pie, introduced new navigation gestures that received mixed reviews. But the company is quick to realize that and is now working on revamped navigation gestures courtesy from a leaked build of Android Q that was obtained last month. In Android 9 Pie, the 3 button navigation system was replaced by a 2 button system. The recent apps button was removed, and the back button stayed. The home button, however, turned into a gesture pill. With Android Q, there's a really good chance that Google may kill the dedicated back button. Here’s what we know about gestures in Android Q. Since this information is based on a pre-release build of Android Q, things may change in the final build.  In Android Q, Google is experimenting with two major changes to Android Pie’s gestures; replacing the dedicated back button with a gesture and improving the fluidity of the “last app” transition animation. You also can no longer disable the gestures to return to the vertical card recent apps overview with the three button navigation system. The experimental gestures in Android Q let you swipe the pill to the left to go back. In Android Q, swiping right on the pill in any app lets you cycle to ...

Flipkart Mobiles Bonanza Sale: LG V30+ at Rs. 24999, Moto X4 6GB at Rs. 12999, offers on ZenFone 5Z, Nokia 6.1 Plus and more

Flipkart has started its four-day Mobiles Bonanza Sale. During the sale, it offers deals on range of smartphones including Xiaomi devices, Honor phones, Asus phones and more. There are also great deals on LG V30+, LG G7 ThinQ, Moto X4 and more. Best deals on smartphones on Flipkart Apple iPhone XR – Rs. 67,999 (Rs. 8901 off + up to Rs. 13750 off on exchange) Google Pixel 2 XL – Rs. 37,999 (Rs. 7500 off + up to Rs. 13750 off on exchange) Samsung Galaxy S8 – Rs. 30,990 (Rs. 1,000 off + up to Rs. 13750 off on exchange) ASUS Zenfone 5Z 8GB + 256GB – Rs. 28,999 (Rs. 8,000 off + up to Rs. 13750 off on exchange) LG G7 ThinQ – Rs. 27,999 (Rs. 22,000 off on MRP+ up to Rs. 13750  off on exchange) LG V30+ – Rs. 24,999 (Rs. 35001 off on MRP+ up to Rs. 13750  off on exchange) ASUS Zenfone 5Z 6GB + 128GB – Rs. 24,999 (Rs. 8,000 off + up to Rs. 13750 off on exchange) Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 6GB + 64GB – Rs. 15,999 (Rs. 1000 off + up to Rs. 13750 off on exchange) Asus ZenFone Max Pro M2 4GB + 64GB – Rs. 13999 (Rs. 1000 off + up to Rs. 13750 off on exchange) Nokia 6.1 Plus – Rs. 13999 (Rs. ...