Google rolls out March 2019 Android security update, Improves camera, storage performance and more for Pixel 3 series

Google has started rolling out new over-the-air (OTA) update for Pixel devices and also posted factory images as part of monthly Android Security release. The update for this month also includes several functional improvements for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL that includes faster camera startup and responsiveness, storage performance improvements, Bluetooth reliability, playback improvements for encrypted media on some apps. References Category Improvements Devices A-122471935 Camera Improves Startup and responsiveness of Camera app Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL A-112046316 A-118317435 A-120212581 Performance Improves recovery in the instance of OTA update failure Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL A-120920537 Performance Improves storage performance on Pixel 3 devices Pixel 3, Pixel3 XL A-119776006 Bluetooth Improves Bluetooth reliability on Pixel 3 devices Pixel 3, Pixel3 XL A-111260263 A-116848259 Media Improves playback of encrypted media on some video apps Pixel 3, Pixel3 XL New builds for the Pixel and Nexus devices with March 2019 Android Security update: Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, Pixel XL (PQ2A.190305.002) Pixel C (OPM8.190305.001) Check out the complete set of issues that are fixed in the latest update in the Android Security Bulletin here, Security and download full factory images or OTA images for these Pixel devices from the Google Developers website, if you don’t have the over-the-air (OTA) update yet. The latest software release is now available. Check your Essential Phone for the update! pic.twitter.com/dzlWIPduAN — Essential (@essential) March 4, 2019 As usual Essential has also rolled out the March security patch.

Xiaomi Mi Max and Mi Max Prime will not get MIUI 11 as the company terminates software support

At the MIUI 9 Global launch, Xiaomi highlighted the fact that even 5-year-old phones including Mi 2/2S will be supported for MIUI 9 Global Stable update but lately things are changing, probably due to many devices launched in past couple of years. A few months ago, the company announced that it has decided to drop MIUI development for few devices including Mi 5, Mi 4, Mi 4S, Mi 4C and Redmi Note 3 Pro (called Redmi Note 3 in India), now as per a post on MIUI Forum, Xiaomi has decided to suspend MIUI ROM (Global and China both) development for Mi Max and Mi Max Prime. Post from MIUI Forum admin says, Due to the comprehensive factors such as device release date, device activity & stability and software experience, MIUI has released the last development version of 9.2.28 on March 1, 2019, which is the last development version of Xiaomi Max and Xiaomi Max Prime. These two devices will no longer support subsequent version upgrades. At the same time, we have also prepared a stable version of the upgrade program, Mi fans can keep the  development version or schedule an upgrade to the subsequent MIUI 10.3 stable version (expected to be released in April). Xiaomi has ...

Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro First Impressions

A few days back, Xiaomi literally shocked the Indian smartphone market, if not the entire world with its pricing for Redmi Note 7 Pro. While some portray this move as desperation to capture the market, we disagree to it wholeheartedly, considering their sales history. Smartphone market have come a longway! Having said that Xiaomi launched Redmi Note 7 Pro smartphone, the company’s latest mid-range at a starting price of Rs. 13,999. Following the sequence of launch in the recent past, one couldn't help but realise the fact that the smartphone market has matured a lot. VFM device! In fact, the Redmi Note 7 Pro is one of the best Value For Money (VFM) to date from Xiaomi's Redmi portfolio. On the design, Redmi Note 7 Pro is a huge leap from its predecessor and has an Aura design with a glass back with 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection, and a gradient design. Undoubtedly, the build is premium, looks appealing when compared to other smartphones in the same category like Samsung Galaxy M20 and Asus Zenfone Max Pro M2. Splash resistant Unlike other Redmi smartphones, it is splash resistant and most of all it retains the 3.5mm audio jack and the IR Blaster. The device also measures ...

Vivo V15 with 6.53-inch FHD+ display, 32MP pop-up front camera, triple rear cameras announced

After the V15 Pro last month, Vivo has introduced the V15 smartphone in Thailand. It has a 6.53-inch FHD+ LCD display with 90.95% screen-to-body ratio instead of Super AMOLED display on the V15 Pro, and is powered by MediaTek Helio P70 SoC, compared to Snapdragon 675. It retains the same 32-megapixel pop-up front camera, but this features a 12-megapixel rear camera with  photosensitive units, instead of quad units. Other 5-megapixel depth sensor for portraits and an 8-megapixel camera with 120-degree wide-angle lens are retained. It has a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor instead of in-display fingerprint sensor, and comes with slightly smaller 3400mAh battery with support for Dual-Engine fast charging and a micro USB port. Vivo V15 specifications 6.53-inch (2340 × 1080 pixels) Full HD+ 19:5:9 aspect ratio LCD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection Octa Core MediaTek Helio P70 12nm processor (Quad 2.1GHz Cortex A73 + Quad 2GHz Cortex A53 CPUs) with 900MHz ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Android 9.0 (Pie) with Funtouch OS 9 Dual SIM (nano + nano) 12MP rear camera with f/1.78 aperture,  5MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture, 8MP AI 120-degree Super wide angle camera with f/2.4 aperture 32MP front-facing camera with Samsung ISOCELL GD1 ...

Digitek DPWC 10W fast wireless charger launched in India

Digitek has launched the DPWC 10W fast wireless charger in India. The charging pad has electromagnetic fields that also has in-built support for QI technology which helps you to just lay your phone on the charging pad and go. It features a slim body, lightweight, travel-friendly and can complement any environment. The wireless charger has LED lights as an indicator to show you that the phone is correctly aligned on the base & charging. The built Smart IC Chip detects optimum charging current for gadgets and provides the ideal power. Short-Circuit Protection & Control Heat Technology makes them human body friendly with zero radiation. It packs a Micro-USB to USB-A cable and supports Apple iPhone 8, 8+, X, S9, S9+, Note 8, S8/8+, S7, S7 Edge, Note 5, Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, Microsoft Lumia 1520, 1020, 930, 929, 928, 920, Google Nexus 4,5,6, 7(2013), and BlackBerry Priv. The Digitek DPWC 10W fast wireless charger is priced at Rs. 1495, but you can get it for as low as Rs. 999 on Amazon. Commenting on the launch, Amit Saraf, Managing Director, IMS Mercantiles Pvt Ltd said: Being one of the pioneers in the Photographic & Smartphone accessories we primarily focus on the users demand and their convenience, we are striving hard towards matching the technology advancements and ...

Huawei Y6 2019 with 6.09-inch Dewdrop notch display, Android Pie announced

Huawei has introduced Y6 2019, the company's latest smartphone in the 'Y series'. It has a  6.09-inch HD+ Dewdrop notch display with 87% screen-to-body ratio, is powered by MediaTek Helio A22 SoC with 3GB of RAM, runs Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI. It has a 13-megapixel camera on the back with f/1.8 aperture and an 8-megapixel front camera with front flash toning light assisted by screen light that promises accurate portrait even in low light conditions. The Sapphire Blue colour shines like starlight with new material hides reflective particles as small as 15 microns to diffract light and produce a bright colourful effect. There is a leather-like finish on the golden version and the phone also comes in Midnight Black version. It doesn't have a fingerprint sensor, but comes with face unlock. It has dedicated dual SIM and microSD card slots and packs a 3020mAh battery. Huawei Y6 / Y6 Pro 2019 specifications 6.09-inch (1560 x 720 pixels) HD+ 18:9 2.5D curved glass display, 1000:1 Contrast ratio 2GHz Quad-Core MediaTek Helio A22 12nm processor with IMG PowerVR GE-class GPU 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, expandable memory up to 512GB with microSD Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) 13MP rear camera with LED Flash, PDAF, f/1.8 ...

Realme 3 First Impressions

Realme just launched its Realme 3 smartphone, successor of last year's Realme 2  in India. It has a smaller notch, faster processor, improved cameras and runs Android Pie. Here is our first impressions of the phone. The Realme 3 has a 6.2-inch HD+  19:9 aspect ratio display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Even though the display size and the resolution is same as the predecessor, the size of the notch has been reduced. Wish the display resolution has also been increased. There is a 13-megapixel camera inside the notch with f/2.0 aperture. It has AI beautify that scans 296 facial recognition points and offers customized beauty effects and also offers face unlock. It is powered by MediaTek Helio P70 12nm processor with Mali-G72 MP3 GPU, same as the Realme U1. The phone runs on the latest Android 9.0 (Pie) based on ColorOS 6.0, and the company has promised to update all its phones to Pie by H1 2019 [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="medium" ids="276981,276979"] The power button is present on the right side and the volume rockers are present on the left. There is also a dedicated dual SIM and microSD card slot on the left. The loudspeaker grill, micro USB port and the 3.5mm audio jack are present on the ...

boAt Stone 650 rugged wireless speaker launched in India at Rs. 1899

boAt has launched the rugged wireless speaker Stone 650 with premium audio experience. The boAt Stone 650 packs silicon coated on the outside and a diamond gridded mesh. It comes with 2” x 2 drivers and 10W’sound and connects via Bluetooth V4.2 with A2DP, AVRCP, HFP Bluetooth profiles. The IPX5 rating makes it splash and water resistant. It packs a 1800mAh battery with up to 7 hours continuous playback time. It has Driver power of 5W*2, the impedance of 4Ω and 2.4GHz-2.480GHz Response frequency. The boAt rugged wireless speaker Stone 650 features 1 subwoofer number and an in-built Microphone. The buttons on the speaker include power, last track, next track, play/pause/BT disconnecting, Volume up and down. It weighs 42.9g and measures 191x70x70mm. The boAt rugged wireless speaker Stone 650 is priced at Rs. 1899 and is available via Amazon.in. Ankush Guglani, Business Head said: We are excited to introduce Stone 650 at the onset of the festive season. Music is an integral part of our daily lifestyle and Stone 650 is designed to step- up the overall user experience with superior sound quality, easy portability and high battery power.

Realme 3 with 6.2-inch 19:9 display, dual rear cameras, Android Pie launched in India starting at Rs. 8999

Realme has announced Realme 3, the company's latest Realme 3 smartphone. It has a 6.2-inch HD+ 19:9 aspect ratio screen with 2.05mm slim frame, 88.30% screen-to-body ratio, is powered by MediaTek Helio P70 12nm processor with up to 4GB of RAM, runs Android 9.0 (Pie) based on ColorOS 6.0, comes with a 13-megapixel rear camera with f/1.8 aperture, along with a secondary 2-megapixel camera for portrait shots. It has new Chroma Boost feature that enhances the colors in pictures using AI. It has a 13-megapixel front camera with AI beautify that scans 296 facial recognition points and offers customized beauty effects. It features a 3D gradient unibody design, comes with dedicated dual SIM and microSD card slots, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner and packs a 4230mAh battery. Realme 3 specifications 6.2-inch (1520 x 720 pixels) 19:9 HD+ IPS display with 450 nits brightness, Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection Octa Core MediaTek Helio P70 12nm processor (Quad 2.1GHz Cortex A73 + Quad 2GHz Cortex A53 CPUs) with 900MHz ARM Mali-G72 MP3 GPU 3GB RAM with 32GB  storage / 4GB RAM with 64GB storage, expandable memory up to 256GB with microSD Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD) Android 9.0 (Pie) based on ColorOS 6.0 13MP rear camera with LED flash, f/1.8 ...

Microsoft to end support for Band and health dashboard apps and services on May 31st

Microsoft has officially announced that it is killing its Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health Dashboard apps and services on May 31st. The company has already discontinued its wrist-worn Band fitness tracker more than two years ago, but the company has kept the Band apps running to support existing users. The existing Band users will be able to export their data before the end of May, and services powered by the cloud will stop functioning from June. All data in the Microsoft Health Dashboard will be deleted May 31st. The Band users would still be able to record daily steps, heart rate, and workouts, alongside activity data, sleep tracking, and alarm functionality. However, if a Band user resets the device then it will be “impossible to set up the device again” according to Microsoft. Microsoft is also offering a refund to users if they have a Band that is covered under its Limited Warranty or users who have synced data from a Band to the Health Dashboard between December 1st 2018 and March 1st, 2019 apply for a refund on their hardware. Microsoft is offering $79.99 for Band 1 owners, and $175 for Band 2 devices. If your Microsoft Band is also covered under warranty, the same refund ...