The Google Pixel Buds Pro come with custom-designed hardware, algorithms and sensors that allow the earbuds to automatically adjust both the fit and sound output. It allows support for hands-free Google Assistant and offers real-time translation of 40 languages.

Like the original Pixel Buds, the Buds Pro comes with features like Fast Pair and Volume EQ. New features other than ANC include transparency mode, and IPX4 dust and water resistance. Google has also confirmed that the Pixel Buds Pro will get Spatial audio head tracking at a later date via OTA updates.

Pixel Buds Pro price in India (tentative) 

Prices for the Pixel Buds Pro in India haven’t been revealed yet. However, with the Buds being priced at $199(INR 15800) internationally, expect them to be priced between INR 15,000 – 20,000 here. The Pixel Buds A series was priced at $99 internationally and was launched in India at a price of INR 9,999.

Google Pixel 6a Release Date

At the same Google I/O, the company also revealed the Pixel 6a. Google stated that the mid-range offering will be more widely available compared to its premium siblings. The Pixel 6a is going to be available for pre-orders globally from July 21 as well. Google already confirmed that the Pixel 6a will be launched in India. This will be the first time since the Pixel 4a, that launched two years back, that Google will launched a Pixel phone in India.

The post Google Pixel Pro Buds To Launch In India This Month appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Understanding The Concept Of A Pixel

Redmi K20 Pro

To understand what pixel binning means, we first have to understand what pixels are. While a pixel is generally defined as the smallest element in a picture represented on screen. However, in this context, pixels are the smallest physical elements on a digital camera sensor that capture light during photography. They are measured using microns, which is a unit of length a million times smaller than a meter. The bigger the pixel size in a camera, the more light it can capture. This will result in much sharper and brighter images, which is the goal of every camera manufacturer. 

However, the bigger the pixel sensor size is, the bigger the camera unit will be which is a difficult feat to put inside a smartphone’s slender frame. This leads to the intrusive camera bumps that make the device wobble when kept flat. So basically smaller pixel size = bad low light performance, but a larger pixel = huge camera sensor. So, how to fix this issue? This is where the pixel binning technology arrives into the picture.

What Is Pixel Binning?

Redmi Note 7S

Pixel Binning is the process of combining four adjacent pixels into one. So a camera sensor which has a pixel size of 0.8 microns will combine these pixels into a 2×2 grid to form a larger 1.6-micron pixel image. The effective resolution is usually one-fourth of what the sensor is capable of. This means that a 48MP sensor effectively produces 12MP images, and a 64MP sensor will produce 16MP images. Combining the pixels will result in a brighter and sharper image, without the hassles of a huge camera sensor. 

As mentioned above, the most popular sensor that supports pixel binning in smartphones is the 48MP Sony IMX586. There is also the Samsung ISOCELL GM1 with the same resolution, but it’s not very common and present on a handful of devices like the Redmi Note 7s and the Lenovo Z6 Pro. A few weeks ago, Samsung also announced the ISOCELL HMX, a sensor with a whopping 108MP resolution that uses the pixel binning technology to produce high-resolution 27MP images. This sensor is expected to debut in the upcoming Xiaomi Mi MIX 4 smartphone.

The Future Of Smartphone Cameras

While the idea behind the pixel binning technology sounds exciting and a good way to tackle a particular problem, it is not the only way. While the goal was to reduce the camera sensor size and fit it inside a smartphone, most of the devices with the sensors still have a huge camera bump. Additionally, none of the handsets with the famous pixel binned sensors are the best in their class. It is possible to produce better low light images by software, as Google has demonstrated with the Pixel’s Night Sight feature.

Also read: Apple Will Sell Its Products Online In India For The First Time Through Its Official Website

So while it may be cool to boast about the 48MP or 64MP camera that your smartphone has, the results they produce are nothing to write home about. Granted, the details they produce are at times extraordinary, but for most social media sharing, where the images are anyway compressed for any of the details to be visible, it frankly doesn’t matter. But, if combined with better software, these pixel binned sensors may be a good thing for future smartphones and definitely one of the better features to have come out recently.

The post What Is Pixel Binning In Smartphone Cameras? Here Is What You Should Know appeared first on iGyaan Network.

The smartphone market is one of the worlds most volatile market in more ways than one. It means that a consumer is always at odds with the myriad of choices in front of them. So, many are left wondering when should they go for a new handset. Worry not as team iGyaan has got you covered.

iPhone XS & XS Max

Why Is There A Confusion

Generally speaking, smartphones are almost constantly being released in the market which means there are always multiple choices. Hence, an average consumer after being faced with the dilemma now must also choose what to buy and decide when to buy. It is a common mentality to hold off till the absolute last moment to buy a smartphone but that is really not the case. Furthermore, you must keep in mind behind the other major evil which is buyers remorse. In other words, the regret one may feel after buying something and regretting it by thinking of another purchase that could’ve been made. 

Redmi Note 7

Smartphone manufacturers have a tendency to constantly offer better iterations of their devices with minor upgrades and updates in a couple of months while major generation jumps happen over the course of the year. So say, you bought a OnePlus device in Q2 (May-June) but the device seems obsolete just by the next quarter with its “T” variant being launched. Many may feel like they made a wrong choice or should’ve held off from buying a device till then. But that is wrong, as that is what companies do. They make new products attractive and market them heavily to feel like the next best thing right after you just bought a newly launched smartphone that is barely three months old. So, users must make a note to not fall for this strategy and stick to their decision. Minor upgrades never make a major difference.

OnePlus 6T

So When Should You Buy A Smartphone?

The holiday season is widely known to be a time where smartphones are released and the ones released earlier in the year are offered with discounts and attractive offers. So, Diwali and Christmas are one of the best times to consider an update to your old devices. For example, Samsung generally launches its flagship around February and March which by this time are offered with discounts and offers that make them worth going for. If you’re into OnePlus, even OnePlus’ “T” smartphones are already out and may also have offers with them.

Redmi K20

During Q4, Xiaomi and its subsidiary Redmi have also released most of its flagships and mid-range devices offering more choices to choose from. Furthermore, the year-end follows immediately after major launches like Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Pixel series of smartphones. A time where most other OEMs avoid launching new devices in. So, you wouldn’t need to worry about a particular major launch to arrive anytime soon or till next year.

Xiaomi Mi A3

Also Read: Apple Will Sell Its Products Online In India For The First Time Through Its Official Website

Keep In Mind

Simply knowing when to buy a smartphone is not enough. As previously mentioned, you must be wary of buyers remorse and willing to stick with your decision. Even if you’re not buying the latest flagship device or the latest mid-range smartphone, the device you do decide on will do almost everything as the other that you think you should’ve waited for or bought alternatively.

The post What Is The Best Time To Buy A Smartphone? appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Pixel 4 Live Images

The first live images revealing the Pixel 4 in its full glory arrive courtesy of an unnamed source. The pictures confirm most of what we already knew about the smartphones, including the glass sandwich design, the large display with a prominent top bezel and a small chin. It seems to be running the Android 10 operating system, which is evident by the lock screen’s design and gesture shortcuts. Furthermore, the notifications prompt the user to set up their Pixel device, which reaffirms that it is indeed the next generation Google flagship. The sides of the leaked handset reveal a white coloured power button on the black unit, which is a unique quirk seen in Pixel devices. Unfortunately, it is not known from the images if they are of the Pixel 4 or the bigger Pixel 4 XL.

Over at the back, Google Pixel 4 is seen showcasing the polarising square camera module. It consists of two camera sensors, a spectral image sensor and an LED flash. While the former and latter are commonplace on modern smartphones, the use of a spectral sensor seems to be exclusive to the current and upcoming Pixel smartphones. It may be used to reduce the flicker while shooting a display of an electronic device. Talking about the camera, the handset may sport a 16MP telephoto lens alongside a standard wide lens. 

Also read: Lenovo Launches The Legion Y740 And Y540 Gaming Laptops In India

Past reports of the Google Pixel 4 series elaborate the smartphone in detail. It has been confirmed to support advanced facial recognition and a soli radar chip. While the former is self-explanatory, the latter will allegedly let users control certain aspects of the user interface by certain motions of their hands from afar. Talking about specifications, the devices may run on the 7nm Snapdragon 855 SoC, 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of internal storage. Since the expected launch is just over a month away, we may not have to wait too long to confirm our suspicions.

The post First Google Pixel 4 Live Images Reveal A Dual Camera Setup, Prominent Top Bezel appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Breathing Crystal Variant

According to the report, the first colour seems like a variant of the Breathing Crystal colour. Huawei P30’s lower half is similar to the original Breathing Crystal while the top features a solid light blue colour. Notably, the new design patents had initially been filed with the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) on 28th May 2019. However, the actual design patents were only seen since 23rd August 2019.

Dual Colour Variant

The second upcoming colour for Huawei P30 is unique in its design. Looking at the render, the new variant sports a dual-tone colour scheme pattern. The top half of the device is black while the bottom is grey on the back. This design reminds us of the Google Pixel range of smartphones, which often uses a two-tone colour scheme. It is expected that the company will announce these new colour variants at IFA 2019 which is just around the corner.

Huawei P30 Quick Specs

• Processor: Kirin 980 7nm SoC
• Display: 6.1 inch FHD+ OLED 
• RAM: 6GB
• Storage: 128GB
• Rear Camera: 40MP + 16MP + 8MP
• Front Camera: 32MP

Also Read: Instagram Working On Threads, A Snapchat Rivalling Messaging App

The pattern the Huawei is following for the P30 series new colours is similar to what it has done before. Previously, the P20 series received four new colour variants a couple of months after their official release. The IFA 2019 will start on 6th September 2019 to 11th September 2018. Stay tuned for more updates regarding the event.

The post Huawei Will Soon Launch Its Flagship P30 Series In Unique New Colours appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Vivo NEX 3

Vivo NEX S

The Vivo NEX 3 will be the flagship offering by the Chinese brand; and will be the third in the line of smartphones with no notch and a full display. According to the official Vivo account on Chinese social network Weibo, the upcoming smartphone will support 5G networks and have a staggering 99.6 percent screen to body ratio. If true, then it will be the first device to have a screen ratio that high.

In the teaser image, it is visible that the handset will have extremely curved edges, similar to the waterfall display type shown a while ago. These edges may help the NEX 3 in achieving the aforementioned screen ratio. It is also not known what Vivo will do to hide the front-facing camera. Some speculations hint at that being under the display like the prototype shown by Oppo and Xiaomi.

A gadget leaker on Twitter has also leaked key specifications of the upcoming Vivo NEX 3. According to them, the smartphone will indeed have a Waterfall display of FHD+ resolution. In terms of optics, it will have a 64MP primary camera made by Samsung. Under the hood, the device will be kitted with the latest 7nm Snapdragon 855 Plus SoC. This will be coupled with features like UFS 3.0 storage, 44W fast wired charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Also read: Google Nest Hub Launched In India For Rs. 9,999

In terms of connectivity, the handset may feature a Hi-Fi Quad DAC, NFC and will have two variants supporting 4G and 5G respectively. Unfortunately more details like the launch date and price of the Vivo NEX 3 are not known yet. However, since the launch is just around the corner, we may not have to wait too long to find out.

The post Vivo NEX 3 To Launch Next Month With A Staggering 99.6 % Screen To Body Ratio appeared first on iGyaan Network.

https://youtu.be/bBpSy7147g8

Google Nest Hub

Google Nest Hub is basically the Home Hub rebranded which was launched back in October 2018. The device is a part of the Nest ecosystem which means it is compatible with other smart Nest home devices like Nest security cameras and more. Although the device has been technically out for about a year now the rebranded version is only now being launched in India.

Specifications & Features

The Google Nest Hub is a smart display which means it basically looks like a tablet attached to a speaker. It has a 7 inch HD display through which users can interact with different functions. So, unlike a Google Home smart speaker which only has voice input, the it also offers touch input. The device is capable of controlling over 200 million product from over 3,500 brands which includes Xiaomi, LG, Syska and a lot more. Furthermore, it has deep integration with Google Assistant that lets users control most of these products just by voice.

Google Nest Hub Max

Also Read: Xiaomi Confirms The Redmi Note 8 Will Have Snapdragon 665, 48 MP Quad Cameras

Price & Availability

Google’s Nest Hub is available for a price of INR 9,999. Users can purchase it from Flipkart and is bundled with a Xiaomi Mi Security Camera worth INR 1,799 for a limited period time. You can also purchase the smart display from Croma, Tata CliQ, Or Reliance Digital. Unfortunately, it is unknown if the larger 10 inch version with a camera will launched in India or not. The first smart display from the company could be a gateway for more Nest products from Google.

The post Google Nest Hub Launched In India For Rs. 9,999 appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Android 1.0 and 1.1

The one that started it all. The first version of the platform was released back in 2008 and it seems like so long ago that it did not even have a dessert name. But just to complete the cycle, enthusiasts have started calling it Android Alpha and Beta for the versions 1.1 and 1.2 respectively. The first generation of the operating system included basic Google apps like Gmail, Maps, Calendar and YouTube. While all of it seems very basic now, it was quite a big deal to have a suite of applications on a mobile phone.

Android 1.5 – Cupcake

The Android 1.5 Cupcake was released in 2009, which also established the naming scheme based on sweet treats. Apart from being a monumental release, Cupcake brought about many changes to the platform. It was the first version to include an on-screen keyboard and third-party widgets. The latter provided the platforms one of the most unique features. Fun fact, this was also the first time the operating system gained the functionality enabling video recording on smartphones.

Android 1.6 – Donut

Android 1.6 Donut was also released in the year 2009 and brought about many features to the platform. The first and most significant was adding the search box. What is now a ubiquitous feature was first added to Donut. The version also added support for multiple display sizes, which is a key element for the platform’s success. It also introduced Google Play, which was called the Android Market at the time. The store enabled users to download and try out different apps and games.

Android 2.0/2.1 – Eclair

The Android Eclair was released after almost six months of Donut, which is not something the company does today. It was sort of like an incremental update, with the platform adding support for Google’s turn by turn navigation and speech to text among other features. Eclair also added live wallpapers, which while it drained a lot of battery, was a really cool feature at the time.

Android 2.2 – Froyo

Google plopped up the Android 2.2 Froyo just four months after Eclair. This release, just like the Frozen Yogurt it is named after, was a sweet treat to the users as it focussed on increasing the performance of the devices. The release added the support for new Voice Actions and added support for mobile hotspots; which is also an important addition by historical importance.

Android 2.3 – Gingerbread

Android 2.3 Gingerbread was released in the year 2010 and marked an incremental update over Froyo. The platform gained support for new and improved gaming API for better and graphically intense gaming. It also added NFC connectivity to compatible devices; enhancing their connectivity. Fun fact, Google added a hidden easter egg in the operating system starting Gingerbread. The first hidden surprise was a zombie artwork when the users tapped on the version number multiple times in settings.

Android 3.0/3.1/3.2 – Honeycomb

Back in the year 2011, when tablets were becoming all the rage in the market, Google released the Android 3.0 Honeycomb. As a tablet exclusive operating system, it didn’t see many takers but was an important step in the redesigning of the platform. The version saw a user interface that utilised the whole display of the device, which was important in a tablet. However, due to limited application support and not many makers adopting it, Honeycomb is one of the more obscure versions on the list.

Android 4.0 – Ice Cream Sandwich

Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich was a major design overhaul for the operating system. Released in the same year as Honeycomb, the version brought about changes like a new Holo design, swipe gestures for notifications and recent apps, and support for Android Beam. Looking back at Ice Cream Sandwich now feels like it was an extremely ambitious update, one which has futuristic vibes going on for it.

Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 – Jellybean

Released over multiple periods between 2012 and 2013, the Android 4.1/4.2/4.3 Jellybean was an incremental update over Ice Cream Sandwich. The platform gained support for account switching, which lets multiple users use a smartphone in different ways. It also has Google Now, a barebones digital assistant which has now been christened as Google Assistant. Jellybean also got actionable notifications, which let taking actions without opening certain applications easier.

Android 4.4 – KitKat

The name for Android 4.4 KitKat was a result of Google’s partnership with Nestle in the year 2013. This release made for a delicious name, and software refinements all around the operating system. Things like a smart dialer, full-screen applications and the “Okay Google” keyword; which we now take for granted, were first added in KitKat.

Android 5.0 – Lollipop

One of the biggest releases of the operating system, Android 5.0 Lollipop saw Google going back to the drawing board in 2014. The company adopted the Material Design theme, which is still in use today and almost redesigned the platform. With the release, lock screen notifications became a thing, and the software gained support for full hands-free “Ok Google” detection. Not to mention the change in the recent apps drawer with the release. Fun fact, Google added a neat little game in the easter egg which resembled Flappy Bird, another smash hit game of the time.

Android 6.0 – Marshmallow

Android 6.0 Marshmallow was released in 2015 and was an incremental update over Lollipop. It was in part because the previous version was such a design overhaul that it made for Marshmallow not to do anything drastic. The version added support for things like fingerprint readers and USB Type C ports and added a feature called Now on Tap. It used the company’s machine learning to provide more information on what is being displayed on the device. For granular privacy settings, Marshmallow also had permission controls for each application.

Android 7.0 – Nougat

Android 7.0 Nougat, was released in the year 2016 and focussed on improving upon Marshmallow. It was launched alongside the first Google-made smartphone, the Pixel and Pixel XL. With Nougat, the company introduced the split-screen feature and debuted Google Assistant, which is arguably the best digital assistant on a smartphone.

Android 8.0 – Oreo

Android 8.0 Oreo was released in the year 2017 and again, was an incremental update over Nougat. The name, much like KitKat was a result of Google’s partnership with a big company, this time it being Nabisco. This release brought about feature like a picture in picture mode, granular control over notifications. One of the landmark features of the sandwich cookie version was the support for Project Treble. It was an attempt by Google to minimise Android Fragmentation; by getting the latest release on most devices faster. Sadly the last bit has not played out very well.

Android 9 – Pie

The last release of the platform yet and one of the most important, Android 9 Pie was baked in the year 2018. It marked a soft reboot in designing the operating system, with the company trying to move away from Material Design. The release introduced new gesture-based navigation, which however half baked they may be; paved the way for all-screen smartphones. Also added to the release were clever software controls for Wi-Fi and mobile data. It also introduced the Digital Wellbeing feature on some devices. This lets users see the amount of time they spend on their smartphones and can limit it.

Android 10 – No Desserts For You!

Also read: Lenovo Teases An Upcoming Budget Smartphone, The Lenovo A6 Note

The latest release by the company, Android 10 as mentioned above does not have an official dessert name. However, according to some reports, Google still has the codename for the release which is named after a dessert that starts with Q. Take your guesses, I’m going with Quiche. However sad the company’s naming decision may be, the latest release will bring about significant changes in the platform. The first one is an all-new navigation gesture system, which resembles the new iPhone gestures. Also arriving in the release are better and faster security updates and support for Live Captions. The final developer’s Beta for the software has just been released; so Google is expected to roll out a stable update in the following weeks.

The post Android 10 Announced: Looking Back At The 10-Year-Old History Of Android Versions appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Nokia Update Timeline

Nokia had re-entered the global market with its Android One smartphones two years ago. Since then, the company has seen a warm welcome owing to a bloatware-free experience its devices offer. Most of the handsets offered by Nokia are targetted towards mid to budget range which is uncommon for an Android One device to be. For those unaware, it is a program started by Google that ensures the device running the stock Android gets at least two major Android updates and security patches for three years.

In other words, Nokia devices are ensured for long term use. The company shared its schedule regarding the roll-out of Android Q on its devices which is as follows:

2019 Q4:

• Nokia 7.1
• Nokia 8.1
• Nokia 9 PureView

2020 Q1:

• Nokia 6.1
• Nokia 6.1 Plus
• Nokia 7 Plus
• Nokia 2.2
• Nokia 3.1 Plus
• Nokia 3.2
• Nokia 4.2
• Nokia 1 Plus
• Nokia 5.1 Plus 
• Nokia 8 Sirocco

2020 Q2:

• Nokia 2.1
• Nokia 3.1
• Nokia 5.1
• Nokia 1

Google Android 10

Google has officially announced that it is parting from its beloved naming philosophy. The sweet-toothed names that were associated with each new generation of the OS are finally being sobered down. It has been confirmed that Android Q will officially be called Android 10. The reason the company said for this major change is to help people understand generations better.

Also Read: Samsung Announces Galaxy A30s, Features A Triple Rear Camera

The example given out was that some regions cannot distinguish between L or R in regional languages. So, simply saying Lollipop makes no sense to them. Thus, Google is employing a clean, sober and chronological name scheming. It would also seek to not have certain countries in the world feel left out over dessert names from their region (R for Rasgulla Or L for Laddo ;)). The move by Google is purely unifying and simplifying in nature.

The post Nokia Announces Android 10 Update Schedule For Existing Smartphones appeared first on iGyaan Network.

In this article, we will discuss the Galaxy A50s, however, if you want to see the specs and features of the Galaxy A30 you can do so by clicking this link. 

Galaxy A50s Design and Features

Like its predecessors, the Galaxy A50s has glass on  the front and a polycarbonate back. However, instead of a solid colour rear panel, the new device has a holographic design which looks very elegant. The handset measures 158.5 x 74.7 x 7.7 mm and it tips the scale at 169g.

The front of the Samsung Galaxy A50s accommodates a 6.4-inch Infinity U display. The display on the devices uses a Super AMOLED panel that has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 px. Like the Galaxy A50, it also features an in-display fingerprint scanner. The power button and volume rockers are situated on the right side of the device while the SIM card tray is placed on the left side.

The rear glasstic panel of Galaxy A50 has a triple rear camera setup which is comprised of a 48 MP + 5 MP + 8 MP sensors. It also features an f/2.0 aperture equipped 25 MP front camera which is placed in the Infinity U notch above the display. 

It is powered by a 4,000 mAh battery which supports 15 W fast charging via the bottom-mounted USB Type-C port. Under the hood, the Galaxy A50s packs the Exynos 9610 chipset which consists of four Cortex A73 cores, four A53 cores and Mali G72 MP3 GPU. Connectivity options on the handset include 802.11 ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS and 3.5 mm audio jack.

Also Read: Google To Launch The Nest Mini Smart Speaker Alongside The Pixel 4 Lineup

Unfortunately, Samsung has not revealed the price of either the Galaxy A50s or the Galaxy A30s. Nonetheless, it is expected to be announced at the upcoming IFA Berlin convention which will kick off from the 6th of September. 

Although the new smartphone is not a huge upgrade but improved optics and all new holographic rear panel are a welcoming addition. 

The post Samsung Launches Galaxy A50s With Improved Cameras And Holographic Back appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Google Nest Mini

Google Home, Home Mini

According to a report by a known publication, the upcoming smart speaker by Google will be known as the Nest Mini. It will have roughly the same size as its predecessor, with the latest device speculated to be slightly larger. New features that are expected in the upgrade are better sound quality, with more bass and higher maximum volume. It is being rumoured that the Nest Mini will bring along a wall mount built-in. This may be an indication that the speakers will be mountable on the user’s wall with the help of screws.

Another addition to the upcoming Google Nest Mini will be a 3.5mm audio port, which the Home Mini lacked. The addition of the port will allow users to connect their smartphone to the speaker directly via an auxiliary cable. It will also bring the device in line to its competitor, the Amazon Echo Dot, which has the 3.5mm audio port since its launch in the year 2016. The upcoming smart speaker may also have some kind of proximity awareness, which is speculated to include certain motion sensors. These may be able to detect emergency situations like fire and smoke, or may just be used for directional audio features.

Also read: Upcoming PUBG Mobile Update Will Add Helicopters, RPGs And Combat Vehicles

Pricing for the Google Nest Mini is reported to stay the same, so the device, when launched may be priced at US$49 (INR 4,999 in India) just like its the Home Mini. The smart speakers are expected to launch alongside the Pixel 4 series of smartphones, which have historically been announced in October. If the aforementioned launch date turns out to be correct, which seems highly likely, we may not have to wait too long to confirm the details about the Nest Mini.

The post Google To Launch The Nest Mini Smart Speaker Alongside The Pixel 4 Lineup appeared first on iGyaan Network.

LG K50s and K40s Features

LG K40s

Both the LG K50s and the K40s have a similar design with a water drop notch display on the front and a glass back. While the former sports a 6.5 inch display, the latter sports a 6.1 inch display. Display panels on both the smartphones have an HD+ resolution.

The LG K50s and the K40s feature a 13 MP selfie camera which is housed in the waterdrop notch above the display. Both handsets also have a rear mounted fingerprint sensor along with the company branding and the camera setup. While the K40s has 13 MP + 5 MP dual rear cameras, the K50s has a triple camera which consists of same sensor as the former in addition to a 2 MP depth sensor.

LG K50s

In terms of battery, the K40s is powered by a 3500 mAh battery while the K50s is powered by a 4000 mAh battery. Both the smartphones feature an Octa Core CPU which is clocked at 2.0 GHz. Additional features of the newly launched K series smartphones include 3D Surround Sound and MIL-STD 810G compliance. 

Both the LG K50s and the K40s are offered in two colour variants which include New Aurora Black and New Morrocan Black. Unfortunately, LG has not yet revealed the price of these smartphones. However, it is expected to be announced at IFA Berlin which will kick off from the 6th of September. 

For easy reference we have also listed their specs in a tabular manner which are as follows:

LG K50s and K40s Quick Specs

Also Read: Apple Will Launch A Stylus With iPhone 11, Suggests Luxury Casemaker

The post LG Announces Mid Range Smartphones, K40s and K50s With Military Grade Durability appeared first on iGyaan Network.

WhatsApp Inc, owned by Facebook, is rolling out the latest build in a staggered manner so most users may not immediately get the feature. 

Fingerprint Lock Feature

The features is not exactly a brand new addition to WhatsApp security functions. Earlier this year, iOS devices have already received the update that enabled this particular feature. Now, a whole seven months after, the feature is finally available on Android devices. In February 2019, iPhones had the ability to safeguard their app with biometric security either with FaceID or TouchID. The feature is cuurrently live with WhatsApp beta version for Android that are on the latest version 2.19.3 for those that wish to try it. A live build iteration is expected to arrive soon.

WhatsApp From Facebook

Previously, we had reported that Facebook the parent company behind WhatsApp and Instagram, wants to integrate the three social media platforms. It means that the company wants the user experience to be almost seamless with transitions in between any of its social networking services.  Users can find the “WhatsApp from Facebook” tag in the apps Settings section.

Frequently Forwarded

Ill natured users on WhatsApp have been accused on multiple occassions of facilitating the spread of fake and false news in India. Hence, it has been a considerable effort from the company’s part to fix the issue. One of the moves employed to curb the forest fire nature of false information was identifying such texts and labelling them with the “Frequently Forwarded” tag. It would allow indentification of how many times the message has been forwarded by alerting the user.

Also Read: Are Gaming Smartphones Really Worth Buying?

Consecutive Voice Notes

One of the latest features being introduced is a real quality of life improvement in the user experience. The feature which was first seen in the iOS version of Whatsapp has the user no longer having to play consecutive voice notes manually. In simpler words, Users can now automatically play voice notes one after another seamlessly. Additionally, the chat app notifies the user with a sound after finishing one audio message before starting another.

The post WhatsApp Is Rolling Out Four New Long Awaited Features appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Some prime examples of the companies that have helped in driving down the costs of mobile devices include Huawei, Xiaomi and BBK Electronics (parent company of Oppo, Vivo, OnePlus and Realme).

Before we begin the saga of the previously mentioned Chinese OEMs, we will discuss the early days of smartphones and how some key players faired during those times.

iPhone 5 From 2012

We all know, the original iPhone from the year 2007 is considered one of the first smartphones. While Apple maintained a closed ecosystem by only offering iOS on it’s in house developed products, Google, on the other hand, embraced the concept of hardware independence for the Android operating system. 

Besides Apple, numerous companies tried their luck in the smartphone industry which includes Nokia, Samsung, Blackberry and HTC. While HTC flourished in the early days, it had to fall back due to fierce competition from Chinese competition. 

Talking about Blackberry and Nokia which stood by their in house developed OS (Symbian and BBoS), the companies were pushed to the brink of collapsing due to incompetent software. While Nokia has managed to recover to a fair extent after the adoption of Android, Blackberry still struggles to find a niche which would allow it to stand out of the crowd.

Nonetheless, one company that has not only survived but thrived during the early years of a smartphone is Samsung which currently enjoys the position of world’s number one smartphone manufacturer in terms of units sold.

Over a decade ago, the company was dabbling with operating systems including Windows OS and Palm until it stumbled upon Android. In the year 2009, it launched the ‘GT-I7500 Galaxy’ which was followed by the Galaxy Spica and the Samsung Galaxy S. While the former now rests in peace, the latter is one of the most renowned smartphones of the current era. 

For three consecutive years until the launch of the Galaxy S4, Samsung was the only company that was able to rake in substantial sales which could match up with the sales figures of Apple iPhone.

Then came the Mi3 which as we all know was made by Xiaomi. In comparison to Galaxy S4 which retailed for Rs 41,500, the Mi 3 cost only Rs 14,999. The reason for drawing this comparison is due to the fact that Xiaomi’s offering had similar specs to the 4th Gen Galaxy smartphone which include the following:

• 5 inch Full HD Display (441 ppi)
• 13 MP Front Camera
• 2 MP Rear Camera
• Bluetooth 4.0, 802.11 Wi-Fi
• Android 4.3

Now that we have a preface, let’s begin with the factors that allowed Chinese companies to significantly drive down costs of smartphones and associated technologies. 

• Online Only Business Model: Xiaomi which entered India in the year 2014, sold its devices exclusively online for a long period. This allowed the company to eliminate the traditional supply chain which included several commission bearers.
  
  Instead, it gave a small fee of Rs 700 to Rs 1,500 to its online partners i.e Amazon and Flipkart. In comparison, a traditional supply chain would incur upto 10 to 30 per cent of the device cost. This strategy is now even adopted by large companies like Samsung that sell devices like the Galaxy M lineup via online channels. 
  
  
• Wafer Thin Margins: In an effort to gain traction and lure in the maximum number of customers, these companies maintain low-profit margins at least during the early years. These companies are also able to save up on development costs as most of the components incorporated in the smartphones are manufactured by other OEMs. 
• Economies Of Scale:  Rather than selling fewer units with high-profit margin on each unit, Chinese companies tend to stress on selling a maximum number of units to drive up overall profit. Moreover, increased level of production also helps in saving costs.
  
• Lean Manufacturing: As observed with several smartphone launches, companies allow users to block units by paying a small booking amount which is a part of lean manufacturing and supply.
  
  Such practises allow the company to anticipate the demand which can be translated to adjust procurement of raw material, production of devices and storage of these ready products which would again incur costs in the form of warehousing if left piled up.  

Overall, Chinese OEMs have closely scrutinised all the steps that are required from designing to developing to retailing smartphones. During the process, all the steps or costs that seemed unnecessary have been eliminated that has helped in creating a strong and efficient business model. 

For reference, Huawei which has been heavily investing in R&D for a long period is able to design its own components like Kirin chipsets. This allows the company to save costs while allowing room for considerable profit margins. 

Also Read: Gamescom 2019 Roundup Of The Best Upcoming Games

Likewise, over the last few years, BBK electronics has also been observed to develop innovative devices like the Vivo Nex, Oppo Find X which have provided the company with a fair share of attention from the global audience.

To sum things up, this continuous contest played by the Chinese OEMs in order to maintain an edge over the other has helped in driving costs of smartphones consequently making them more affordable for the end-user. 

The post How Chinese Companies Have Helped In Making Smartphones Affordable appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Here is a short roundup of all the exciting new games that are arriving by year-end or the following year.

Gamescom 2019

The largest gaming expo has led to a lot of hype garnering for loyal fans within the gaming industry. Expectations are at an all-time high with the upcoming release of timely AAA titles that are the most awaited within the list. Gamescom 2019 all but confirms Cyberpunk 2077 being available of Google Stadia, PUBG getting cross-play support between consoles and who can forget, the beloved indie titles which are now arriving on Nintendo Switch as well. 

Gamescom 2019 has just kicked off and we already have certain news regarding a few of the most anticipated games. The list includes Cyberpunk 2077, Need For Speed Heat, Gears 5 and the most hyped game of 2019, Death Stranding.

Death Stranding

The game is probably one of the most sought after the game at the moment. It is being developed by the legendary video game creator Hideo Kojima and will mark his first game since his departure from Kojima Studios. So far, we have received numerous teasers and trailers that have led to more questions than answers regarding its beautifully twisted plot and settings. However, this time the studio introduced two more characters to us. One of them is a baby called BB while the other is called Mama, aptly named as she can pluck babies from the sky. Yes, we get how confusing it must sound, so watch the video linked down below for some clarity.

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is about the only game which is close to Death Stranding in terms of hype or anticipation. The game is a take of the future from the beloved game studio, CD Projekt Red which is also known for the Witcher Series. It is now also confirmed to be available on Google’s game streaming platform stadia and Gamescom 2019 saw its official reveal trailer being given out. The short trailer had shown hacking and a motorcycle ride in the first person and least to say, we are waiting for this one in particular.

https://youtu.be/CcsZHPdMr1M

Gears 5

Gears 5 is the fifth entry in the Gears of War franchise which is one of the most popular titles in the Xbox console exclusive lineups. Furthermore, the entry is different from its previous iterations as it is considered to be a soft reboot with the main cast of the game is changed. A past side character is now the protagonist and it seems to heavily rely on its single player campaign narration. The game is also set to reveal its much-anticipated Horde mode which lets 4 players team up to survive increasingly difficult waves of unrelenting enemies. 

Blair Witch

Yes, the game is exactly what you think it is. For those unaware, Blair Witch is game revloving around a movie based on the same name and setting. The game takes place in the same universe as the legendary horror movie alongside whilst providing more insight into its lore and history. It is also based in the iconic Blair Witch forest and will have gamers on the edge of their seats. Gamescom 2019 has revealed its arrival on August 30th so be on the look out.

NBA 2K20

The gaming world is incomplete without the virtual sports titles. NBA 2K series is one of these and has been a staple within the industry. Now, its latest iteration NBA 2K20 has chosen a star studded roster to showcase its new career mode. The game is being co-produced by LeBron James production company and also features a performance from Idris Elba, Rosario Dawson, Thomas Middleditch, Ernie Hudson and LeBron James himself. 

Need For Speed: Heat

 One of the most iconic racing game franchise has finally receive a new entry. Need for Speed will be the latest installment within the franchsie and features intense street races and cops as well. The game was announced a month prior to Gamescom 2019 but we were finally offered a first look at the gameplay. The game will have to carry out the legacy of the popular series and is one game to definitely try out.

Also Read: Useful Smartphone Accessories You Might Not Know Exist

Ori and The Blind Forest

Moving on to Indie titles, Ori and The Blind Forest isn’t a new game but its arrival on Switch is perfect. The game will fit right in with its award winning environment set in a side scrolling fashion. The hand drawn game will be a much appreciated entry into Nintendo’s library. 

The post Gamescom 2019 Roundup Of The Best Upcoming Games appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Who Is It For?

A fresh report originating from Huawei’s home country, China, has stated that the tech giant is seeking to challenge Google. However, the company is developing a mapping service which differs from its competitors. Unlike Google Maps, it is reportedly being made for developers which implies that it may be used by navigation or taxi-hailing services. It would also allow third-party developers to create utilize this service without creating their own.

Google Maps

Map Kit

A top executive at Huawei has revealed Map Kit as the name of the upcoming service. It will offer developers a street-level navigation system that they can use in their respective apps. Map Kit will also convey real-time traffic conditions and other related data. It could also imply an AR walking navigational system which is used by Google. Furthermore, the Map Kit will be connected to local mapping services and will have to rely on telecom base stations that offer positioning data via satellites.

Google Maps AR Navigational Feature

Will It Succeed?

The report also states that Huawei is partnering up with Booking Holdings. Notably, Booking is currently reliant on Google Maps. Hence Map Kit might just be a customer and not actually a data provider. Huawei will have to invest heavily to compete in the mapping service market which has been notoriously difficult to crack. As mentioned earlier, Google is the only company to see success in the business while even Apple is lagging behind the search giant. Nokia too had tried and failed with its Here Maps as did Blackberry in the past.

iOS 13 Maps

Also Read: YouTube Original Series Will Be Free To Watch From 24th September

Why Is Huawei Making Map Kit?

Huawei’s new mapping service is probably in response to the trade ban imposed on it by the US Government. The trade ban it had received has since been temporarily revoked but its implications still stand evident. US and western-based companies can cut ties from the company at any given moment. Thus, the move arrives with a more self-sufficient motive rather than just a revenue-generating one.

The post Huawei To Introduce Its Own Mapping System To Compete With Google Maps appeared first on iGyaan Network.

According to the listing, the Huawei smartphone carries the AMN-AL10 model number. Although the name of the device is currently unavailable it is believed to be placed below the Enjoy 9e which was launched earlier this year.

The front of the smartphone accommodates a 5.71-inch display that features a waterdrop notch up top. The top, left and right bezels around the display are negligible while the chin below it is comparatively thicker. It also features the company branding below the display which is once again identical to the Redmi 7A.

In terms of memory and storage, the Huawei smartphone will be offered in two variants which are as follows:

• 2 GB + 32 GB (expandable upto 512 GB)
• 3 GB + 64 GB (expandable upto 512 GB)

As previously mentioned, the rear of the handset features a single 13 MP camera which is accompanied by an LED flash.  Under the hood, the Huawei smartphone features an Octa-Core CPU which is clocked at 2 GHz.

The device is powered by a 3,000 mAh battery that supports 10 W fast charging. Connectivity options on the smartphone include Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS and 3.5 mm headphone jack. It will be offered in three colour variants which include Vermiculite Black, Amber Brown and Turquoise Green.

Huawei AMN-AL10 specifications

• 5.71-inch (1520 × 720 pixels) HD+ 19:5:9 2.5D curved glass display
• 2GHz Octa-Core processor
• 3000mAh battery
• 13MP rear camera with LED flash
• 5MP front-facing camera
• Dimensions: 147.13×70.78×8.45mm; Weight: 146g
• Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS + GLONASS
• 2GB RAM with 32GB storage / 3GB RAM with 64GB storage, expandable memory up to 512GB with microSD
• Android 9.0 (Pie) with EMUI 9.1
• Dual SIM (nano + nano + microSD)

Also Read: Mysterious Xiaomi Smartphone Hits TENAA, Could Be The Redmi 8

Although the price of the smartphone currently unavailable, going by its specs, it will be targeted towards the Rs 6,000 and Rs 8,000 price bracket. In order to gain the availability details and official price, we will have to wait until its launch which is expected to happen soon. 

Users who are interested in checking out the official listing can do so by clicking here. 

The post This Is Huawei’s Answer To The Budget Oriented Redmi 7A appeared first on iGyaan Network.

YouTube Originals

The company had previously announced YouTube Originals which was introduced to make the platform similar to Netflix and other paid streaming platforms. In other words, users are offered a wide variety of movies and episodic series to choose from. However, the difference between the other services and YouTube Originals has now broadened. While Netflix employs a monthly subscription fee, Youtube is offering its Originals service for free. The service, until now, has been exclusive to Youtube’s Premium users but is now set to change. 

Weird City

YouTube Premium

YouTube has also added new features for Premium subscribers of its service to enjoy. It includes:

• A new “Recommended Downloads” section in its app library.
• It is now possible to switch between songs and music videos with a single tap.
• The ability to download up to 500 songs from their Liked Songs list and other playlists

So How Do They Still Make Money?

How does a free service earn like Google, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube earn money? The answer is ads; most popular service out there run an ad-based revenue and YouTube Originals will also be loaded with them now. Previously, to the premium subscription, users had to shell out INR 129 a month which include:

• An ad-free experience while watching videos.
• The ability to run the app in the background.
• Download videos at a higher quality.
• Lastly, a subscription to YouTube Music Premium.

Also Read: Motorola One Action Launched, Features A 6.3 Inch Punch Hole Display

According to Google, every YouTuve Originals series released after 24th September will be available to everyone regardless of paid or unpaid status. However, premium users still receive a lot of benefits over the free users including:

• The premium users are not bothered by ads.
• Paid users get immediate access to every episode while paid users must wait for timed releases.
• Get to enjoy the director’s cut and bonus scenes.

The post YouTube Original Series Will Be Free To Watch From 24th September appeared first on iGyaan Network.

The prime example of such handsets will be the members of  Mate 30 lineup which will succeed Mate 20 branded devices from the year 2018.

The renders and features of upcoming Mate 30 and Mate 30 Pro have been revealed at multiple instances (1,2). Freshly, a traveller on the Chinese subway train was spotted using a unique smartphone which is believed to be the high-end Mate 30 Pro. 

The front of the alleged Mate 30 Pro has an edge-to-edge display that has extremely curved sides. Besides, the top of display features a wide notch that goes in line with previously leaked renders. 

The rear of the smartphone is concealed with a plastic case that has a couple of cutouts and it covers the camera sensors. The rear left side of the plastic case has a narrow slit which makes room for an elongated flashlight.

Unfortunately, the current leak does not exhibit any specifications of the Mate 30 Pro. Nonetheless, it is believed to feature the HiSilicon Kirin 985 or 990 (name not finalised) which will be manufactured by TSMC.

The upcoming Huawei smartphone is believed to have quad rear camera setup which will be mounted in a circular module. 

Also Read: Realme 5 Is The Worlds First Quad Camera Smartphone Under INR 10K

In order to gain more details including the price and features of the Mate 30 Pro we will have to wait until its official launch which is believed to happen in the month of October. 

On the basis of leaked renders and images, what are your thoughts on the Mate 30 Pro? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Chinese Man Spotted Using The Huawei Mate 30 Pro On A Subway Train appeared first on iGyaan Network.

Although the ban has now been lifted Huawei has still not been able to reform its relations with the United States-based companies. It seems that a hindrance as big as this has hardly made any effect on the companies plans. It has been launching aggressively price feature-laden smartphones at regular intervals.

Huawei Nova 5T Android Enterprise Listing

According to a fresh Android Enterprise listing, Huawei will soon launch another high-end smartphone which surprisingly will have a compact form factor. Ever since the bid adieu of Sony’s compact Xperia smartphones, the industry has been demanding for smaller devices which have not been delivered yet.

The upcoming Huawei smartphone will be the Nova 5T and it will be part of the Nova 5 smartphone lineup which was unveiled earlier this year.

As per the images listed on Google site, the Huawei Nova 5T has an attractive design which is due to the front which is dominated by an edge to edge display. Overall, the front fascia of the device is similar to the Huawei Nova 5i Pro which has already been launched. The display measures 5.5 inch and it also has a punch hole which houses the front-facing selfie camera. 

Huawei Nova 5i Pro

In terms of memory and storage, the Nova 5T will be offered in two storage options which are as follows:

• 8 GB + 128 GB
• 8 GB + 256 GB

For securely and rapidly logging in to the UI, it also has a fingerprint sensor. Although the listing does not reveal it exact location, we believe it will be mounted on the rear. Besides, the Huawei Nova 5T runs on the latest Android 9 Pie and has NFC support. 

Unfortunately, the listing has not revealed any details of the processor or the camera sensors incorporated on the smartphone. Therefore, they will be revealed at the official launch until another leak reveals them as well. 

Also Read: This Is What The Upcoming Huawei Mate 30 Pro Looks Like

The launch date of the smartphone is yet unknown but the Android Enterprise listing suggests it is about to happen soon. 

If Huawei is able to price the Huawei Nova 5T at an aggressive price, it could turn out to be a huge success as the demand for compact smartphones has been on the rise and the company can cash on this untapped segment of the mobile industry.

Would you like to buy a smartphone that has a compact form factor? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Compact Huawei Nova 5T With 5.5 Inch Punch Hole Display To Launch Soon appeared first on iGyaan Network.