Google starts testing Pixel system updates through Play Store in Android Q

A few days back, a piece of information surfaced on the Internet regarding the "system updates" occurring through the Google Play Store. Recently, a Google Pixel 3 owner has reported seeing a 'Google System Update' notification on Android Q Beta 2. According to the report spotted on Reddit, there is a screenshot of 'Google System Update' on the notification panel. As per the user, it was more like an app update rather than a full OS OTA. Post the update, it proceeded to download a file and automatically restart the device, according to the user. However, it is not clear on how the process actually works or what could be the benefits for users. Unfortunately, the user couldn't take any screenshot nor find any trace post device reboot. One can assume that Google is testing something on a small scale right now, which could be rolled out to masses in the upcoming days. Source

Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL launch teased for May 7

After several rumors, Google has started teasing the launch date of its Pixel 3a series, which is expected on May 7th, the first day of Google I/O. "On May 7, meet a new hero," says the Google Store. It also says "Help is on the way. On 7 May, something big is coming to the Pixel universe." The date changes to May 8th for some countries, including India. Based on the earlier leaks, these are expected to retain rear mounted fingerprint scanner and Active Edge features, but these bring back the 3.5mm audio jack that the Pixel 3 and the 3 XL lacks. Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL rumored specifications Pixel 3a — 5.6-inch (2220×1080 pixels) FHD+ OLED 18.5:9 display, 440 PPI Pixel 3a XL — 6-inch (2160×1080 pixels) FHD+ OLED 18:9 display, 400 PPI Pixel 3a — Octa-Core Snapdragon 670 (2 x 2GHz Kryo 360 + 6 x 1.7GHz Kryo 360) 10nm Mobile Platform with Adreno 615 GPU Pixel 3a XL —  Octa Core Snapdragon 710 10nm Mobile Platform (Dual 2.2GHz Kryo 360 + Hexa 1.7GHz Kryo 360 CPUs) with Adreno 616 GPU 4GB DDR4X RAM, 32GB / 64GB storage Android 9.0 (Pie) 12.2MP rear camera with dual LED flash 8MP wide-angle front ...

Samsung completes development of EUV-based 5nm FinFET process technology

Samsung has announced that its has completed development of 5-nanometer (nm) FinFET process technology. This comes after it announced the readiness and its initial production of 7nm process, its first process node with EUV lithography technology in October. It provided commercial samples of the industry’s first EUV-based new products and started mass production of 7nm process early this year. Compared to 7nm, Samsung’s 5nm FinFET process technology provides Up to 25%  increase in logic area efficiency with 20% lower power consumption or 10%  higher performance as a result of process improvement to enable more innovative standard cell architecture. Customers to fully leverage Samsung’s highly sophisticated EUV technology EUV lithography in metal layer patterning and reduces mask layers while providing better fidelity, similar to the predecessor Reuse of all the 7nm intellectual property (IP) to 5nm. Thereby 7nm customers’ transitioning to 5nm will greatly benefit from reduced migration costs, pre-verified design ecosystem, and consequently shorten their 5nm product development. Samsung also announced that it is collaborating with customers on 6nm, a customized EUV-based process node, and has already received the product tape-out of its first 6nm chip. Samsung foundry’s EUV-based process technologies are currently being manufactured at the S3-line in Hwaseong, Korea. It will expand ...

List of Xiaomi smartphones that are confirmed to get Android Pie update [Updated]

Xiaomi has finally released the list of smartphones eligible for Android Pie/Oreo update, these devices are supposed to get Android Pie/Oreo update sometime before Q2 2019. Xiaomi has mentioned that the smartphones which have already received two major Android updates are unlikely to receive further Android updates. The list of smartphones eligible to receive Android update includes both Mi and Redmi range of smartphones. List of smartphones that are confirmed to receive Android Pie update: Redmi Note 6 Pro Redmi Note 5 Pro Redmi 6 Pro Mi 6X Mi MIX 2 Mi Note 3 List of smartphones that have received Android Pie update: Xiaomi Mi 8 Xiaomi Mi 8 Explorer Edition Xiaomi Mi 8 Pro Xiaomi Mi 8 SE Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite POCO F1 Xiaomi Mi MIX 2S Xiaomi Mi Max 3 List of smartphones that have received Android Oreo update Xiaomi Redmi 5A Xiaomi Redmi 5 Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus (Redmi Note 5 in India) Xiaomi Mi 5X Xiaomi Mi MIX Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 Xiaomi Mi 5 Xiaomi Mi 5S Xiaomi Mi 5S Plus Xiaomi Mi 6 Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Xiaomi Mi Note 3 The list is applicable for devices running on MIUI China ROM as well as MIUI Global ...

Xiaomi drops Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A Android Pie update plans

Xiaomi shared a list of smartphones eligible for Android Pie update back in December 2018, later it added more devices to the list and announced Android Pie based MIUI Beta ROM for Redmi Note 5 Pro, Redmi Note 6 Pro, Redmi 6 Pro and Redmi Y2 (S2) will be rolled out in Q1 2019. Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A were added to the list last month, and the devices were supposed to receive Android Pie based MIUI Global Beta ROM sometime in Q2 2019. The company rolled out Android Pie based MIUI Global Beta ROM for Redmi Note 5 Pro, Redmi Note 6 Pro and Redmi 6 Pro in March, but Redmi Y2 didn't get the Android Pie based MIUI Beta ROM within the promised timeline. Now the company has announced that it has changed its plan to update Redmi Y2 (S2), Redmi 6 and Redmi 6A to Android Pie without providing reasons behind the decision. It is surprising that Redmi Y2 (S2) is removed from the list as it shares the same processor with Redmi 6 Pro which recently received Android Pie update with Dual VoLTE support. However, we hear that the company might reopen the beta testing for the Redmi Y2 (S2) after fixing some bugs, so the ...

Panasonic LUMIX S1 and S1R full-frame mirrorless camera launched in India

Much to our expectation, Panasonic, today announced the launch of its full-frame mirrorless Lumix S series in the Indian market. Dubbed as LUMIX S1 and S1R these come with 24 megapixel and 47.3 megapixels full-frame CMOS sensor respectively. Notably, the new S series is based on the L-Mount standard. Marking the entry in still photography segment with LUMIX S1R, the camera integrates a 47.3-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (36mm x 24mm). Moreover, this sensor has the ability to achieve a high S/N ratio by taking advantage of its high light-condensing efficiency despite large number of pixels. The LUMIX S1R features a High-Resolution mode for the first time as a mirrorless full-frame camera to enable 187-megapixel ultra-high precision photo with a pixel shift technology shooting. On the other hand, the LUMIX S1 is a hybrid camera featuring a 24.2-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor (35.6mm x 23.8mm). Just like S1R, it also comes with a High-Resolution mode for the first time as a mirrorless full-frame camera to enable 96-megapixel ultra-high precision photo with a pixel shift technology shooting. Additionally, the LUMIX S1 supports professional use in videography as well. Notably, the S series, with a software upgrade key (to be sold separately) following soon in 2019. Panasonic has ...

YouTube adds several features to bring transparency to news content in India

In the recent past, especially after cheaper data connections, news has become an integral part of YouTube’s experience for millions of Indians online. In the recent development, YouTube last year introduced the Top News shelf where it highlights videos from authoritative news sources in search results. There is a Breaking News shelf as well and it highlights videos from authoritative news organizations about that event directly on the YouTube homepage. Both features are currently launched in more than 30 countries, including India in both English and Hindi. Furthermore, the company provide context alongside content on our platform to help users make more informed judgments, which we've done by introducing a wide range of information panels on certain events, topics, and publishers alongside search results and videos. A few weeks back, YouTube also introduced fact checks from eligible publishers to YouTube in India in English and Hindi. This specific information panel aims to provide context on fresh topics that are prone to misinformation. The fact checks we surface rely on the open source Schema.org ClaimReview markup process. By following this process, any eligible publisher can contribute fact check articles that could show in search results on Google Search, Google News, and now, YouTube. Source

Top 5 reasons to buy the vivo V15

vivo is one of the few companies that boldly addresses issues in the pursuit of bezel-less and notch-less display ideas. In fact, the vivo V15 in many ways is likely to win over buyers considering the slew of feature it encompasses. Right after V15 Pro, the company launched the V15 smartphone in the Indian market. Here are the 5 reasons why you should buy a vivo V15. Immersive edge-to-edge experience “Bezel-less” display is the new buzzword in the smartphone market right now. As proof, we are seeing some breathtaking designs this year that phase out bezels in devices such as vivo V15, V15 Pro and many more. vivo’s recent offering, the V15 comes with a 6.53-inch (2340 × 1080 pixels) Ultra FullView™ 19:5:9 aspect ratio display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. [gallery link="file" columns="2" size="medium" ids="279784,279783"] This device has a bare minimum bezel with an excellent screen-to-body ratio of 90.95%. Redefining the bezel-less smartphone, the V15 offers a truly immersive edge-to-edge experience. Watching movies or playing games on a display without a border is certainly a treat, and is the immersive experience you expect. Up to date design! The vivo V15 is one of the beautiful looking phones in the Indian smartphone market right now. ...

HONOR 20 series to be announced in London on May 21

HUAWEI's HONOR brand has announced that it will introduce its flagship HONOR series at an event in London on May 21st. It says #CAPTUREWONDER and highlights improved low-light performance. The successor of last year's HONOR 10 will likely be powered by Kirin 980 SoC. This time the company is expected to launch HONOR 20 and HONOR 20 Pro smartphones. There are also rumors of  triple rear cameras, including an ultra-wide lens. It is not clear if this will come with a pop-up front camera with no-notch display or a dewdrop notch display like the Huawei's P30 phones. How good are you at math? #HONOR20Series will be launched on ________! Fill in the blanks for #CaptureWonder. pic.twitter.com/6k0ejoMY1y — HONOR (@Honorglobal) April 15, 2019 We should know more details about the smartphone in the coming weeks.

OPPO F11 Pro Marvel’s Avengers Limited Edition to be introduced on April 24

OPPO introduced F11 Pro smartphone last month. Now the company has announced that it will introduce Marvel's Avengers Limited Edition in partnership with Marvel in Malaysia on April 24th, ahead of the movie release next week. This comes with Blue and Red colors along with Avengers logo on the back similar to Captain America logo. It will also come with 128GB storage compared to 64GB in the standard version. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xjEtxWvvZE Other specifications are similar, including a 6.5-inch FHD+ Panaromic screen without a notch, has 90.9% screen-to-body ratio, MediaTek Helio P70 12nm processor with 6GB of RAM, Android 9.0 (Pie) with ColorOS 6.0 on top, 48-megapixel rear camera along with a 5-megapixel secondary rear camera, 16-megapixel rising front camera and a 4000mAh battery with VOOC flash charge 3.0. We should know the price when it goes official next Wednesday. Via