Latest Gadgets News

Amazfit Bip S has been launched in India. The new smartwatch comes with a 5 ATM water-resistant build and offers a battery life of up to 40 days.

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Amazfit Bip S smartwatch has been launched in India today. The Bip S is yet another budget smartwatch from Huami after the Bip and Bip Lite. 

The Amazfit Bip S is rated 5ATM water resistance meaning it can survive in rains and gym sessions. The company claims a battery life of 40 days which is quite exceptional for a smartwatch. 

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Amazfit Bip S specs and features 

Amazfit Bip S comes with a polycarbonate body and 20mm interchangeable straps. The strap is made up of skin-friendly silicone material. The smartwatch comes with a 1.28-inch transflective colour TFT display with resolution 176 x 176. The more light falls on the watch, the more bright and easy it is to see the display. The display comes with features an always-on display, raise to wake feature, and 2.5D Gorilla Glass 3 and anti-fingerprint coating for protection. 

The sensors onboard include PPG bio-tracking optical sensor(HR monitor), 3-axis acceleration and 3-axis geomagnetic sensor. For mapping the activities, the watch comes with an in-built GPS+GLONASS dual-mode navigation system. The watch harnesses Bluetooth 5.0 and can be paired with Android and iOS devices using the Amazfit app. It runs on Amazfit OS.

On to the battery life, the Bip S comes with up to 40 days of basic usage, up to 15 days of typical usage. It charges via propriety magnetic charger which takes around 2 hours to completely charge. The watch is also capable of pushing notifications for as many as apps you want, reminders, alarm, and ideal alerts. It also comes with find my phone feature.

The Bip S comes with up to ten sports mode for tracking your activity. To control the watch, you get a button and relay mostly on swipe gestures. The watch comes with 20 watch faces pre-installed and more watch faces will be added in the near future via an OTA update. 

Price and availability

Amazfit Bip S is priced at Rs 4,999 in India. It is available on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra as well as offline stores like Croma, Reliance Digital & Poorvika Mobiles. and comes in four colour options - Red Orange, Carbon Black, White Rock, and Warm Pink. 

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A few hours after removing the Mitron App from Play Store for violating its spam and minimum functionality policy, Google has cracked down on India's top-trending 'Remove China Apps' mobile app. Google cited a violation of its 'Deceptive Behaviour Policy' as a reason for its removal. 

The app, developed by a Jaipur-based start-up OneTouchAppLabs, the Remove China app has been downloaded more than 5 million times since May.  Originally created as an educational tool, the app used its ability to identify the country of origin of apps on Play Store to help users detect and delete apps developed by Chinese firms. 

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A report published on TechCrunch says the app was removed under Play Store's deceptive behaviour policy which states that developers cannot make changes to a user's device settings or features outside of the app without the user's knowledge and consent. It can also not encourage or incentivise users into removing or disabling third-party apps on their devices. 

The app gained popularity after several influencers in India mooted a boycott of all things Chinese amidst growing anti-China sentiment over fresh Sino-Indian tensions on a lingering border dispute. Taking to Twitter, the creator of this app shared a message to all those who downloaded it and offered a tip on how to find the country where any app on Play Store is developed. 

Chinese smartphones rule the roost

Given that India's booming smartphone market, the second largest in the world in terms of usage and production, is replete with Chinese brands is being pointed out as a reality check by economists and some members of the political parties opposing such social media hype. 

The issue is not limited to apps or the Play Store. In recent times, the ByteDance-owned TikTok faced public ire in India for removing a video created by an acclaimed influencer. The Chinese firm continues to grapple with the content moderation efforts that led to the latest outcry from a section of the social media. The video has since been reinstated with TikTok claiming its removal in the first place was part of a rigorous review process. 

Chinese investments in India's smartphone industry itself is worth millions of dollars with OnePlus, Oppo and Xiaomi being major contributors to this growing trend. In April, India had amended its foreign direct investment policy by enforcing tougher scrutiny of such proposals from Chinese companies. 

What caused the latest trend?

The latest boycott Chinese products was initiated by engineer-turned-educator Sonam Wangchuk who released a couple of videos that said deciding not to use products from a country is not akin to spreading hatred. The social innovator, who inspired a breakout character in a Bollywood blockbuster '3 Idiots', has seen his videos garnering millions of views on social media platforms. 

The Chinese media too has responded in kind to the social media response in India suggesting that by allowing "irrational anti-China sentiment" to continue, the government risks ruining bilateral relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping have continuously engaged with each other over the past six years on matters related to defence, border disputes and economic cooperation. 

Via: TechCrunch

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Head over to Amazon to get your hands on the cheapest 1TB solid state drives in the world at the time of writing.

All four SSDs are available at only $92.99 (roughly £75/AU$135), with free delivery in the US - although international customers will incur additional shipping and import charges.

They are all standard SATA 2.5-inch SSDs with 3D NAND chips (rather than QLC) and most likely use a variant of the Silicon Motion SM2258. They also all support Windows TRIM optimization command, SMART technology and come with three-year warranties.

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Unlike many rival offerings, these drives actually pack the full 1TB of storage, rather than 960GB (although the actual usable storage will be slightly lower). At 7mm high, they should be compatible with some of the larger laptops on the market, as well as certain games consoles.

Internal hard disk drives are still far cheaper than SSDs, but the gap is rapidly decreasing; 5400RPM HDDs of similar size cost about $40, while faster 7200RPM models retail for $50 or more.

• Here's our list of the best SSDs of 2020

Bear in mind

• If these products aren't available in your region, you may have to use a specialist parcel forwarding service if you want to take advantage of the deal.
• If you've managed to get hold of a cheaper product with equivalent specifications, in stock and brand new, let us know and we'll tip our hat to you.

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Reports began circulating earlier this year about a new Google Chromecast device with a remote and Android TV built-in, and now, new photos have emerged today that seem to corroborate those reports.

The images in question come from XDA and XDA Recognized Developer deadman96385 who found an ‘out-of-box experience’ video for the device (codenamed Sabrina) in a pre-release Chromecast firmware build. 

Based on the images, Google’s new streaming dongle has taken on an oblong shape, but retains many of the same design cues from previous versions – namely the embossed G in the middle of the device and the all-matte colored exterior. 

Photos for the device show it in three different colors – white, black and peach – as well as the anticipated Android TV remote with a circular navigation wheel popping up in one of the photos as well. 

Google Chromecast 4? Chromecast Ultra 2?

Neither XDA nor the XDA developer could provide a ton of details on the specs of the platform based off the source code, however the publication did find out that it will be running an Amlogic SoC that can support Dolby Vision playback. 

Considering that the original Google Chromecast Ultra supported 4K HDR10 streaming, it would make sense for Google to up the ante here with Dolby’s more powerful format this time around.

The remote's design also gives us a few clues about the device, like the fact that it will be HDMI-CEC compatible, allowing you to raise the volume on your TV or mute the TV with the pack-in control. The remote also has a Google Assistant button which implies that it will have a microphone built-in as well.

Unfortunately, though, according to the file’s metadata where all the information comes from, the video was created on October 10, 2019 – making it now eight months old at least. In that time Google might have changed the design and XDA made it clear that this might not be the exact final hardware we’ll eventually see from Google later this year. So, like all leaks, take it with a grain of salt.

Chromecast 4 potential price and release date 

It’s almost too early to speculate but thankfully Google has been pretty consistent with its release dates and pricing for its Chromecast products: almost all of them release in the fall months for the northern hemisphere (September through November) and cost well under $100 (£80, AU$150).

Early reports from Protocol who spoke to sources say that the device is expected to cost $80 (around £60, AU$120) in order to compete with the Roku Streaming Stick Plus and Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, but again, this is all a moving target as Google finalizes its 2020 product launches.

As for when we’ll actually get to see them on-stage, well, it’s anybody’s guess at this point. Google IO has been cancelled this year due to Covid-19, and the company has yet to make any mention of its annual September hardware event where it announces the latest Pixel devices. 

That said, in this new era of online events where plans can be announced just a few days before they happen, anything can and will happen at any time, so stay tuned.

• Need a streaming solution? Here are the best streaming devices in 2020

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The coronavirus pandemic has led to increased adoption of video conferencing software and services and the latest forecast from Gartner predicts that global end-user spending on cloud-based web conferencing solutions will grow by 24.3 percent in 2020.

The video conferencing user base will continue to expand throughout this year though the research and advisory firm believes growth will taper off in 2021 as the lasting effects of a remote workforce make video conferencing services commonplace.

End-user spending on video conferencing is projected to reach $4.1bn in 2020 which is up from $3.3bn last year. Video conferencing is the second-fastest growing category in the unified communications market behind spending on cloud-based phone systems which are forecast to reach $16.8bn this year.

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By 2024, Gartner predicts that in-person meetings will account for just 25 percent of enterprise meetings, representing a drop from 60 percent prior to the pandemic.

Corporate account misuse

While more organizations are using video conferencing services, a new survey of 5,000 remote workers from OneLogin found that 33 percent of workers have used a corporate Zoom account for online socializing with friends or family since they began working from home. To make matters worse, 30 percent of those surveyed admitted to having an online account compromised during that time and 10 percent of these employees failed to change their password afterward.

Even though corporations own and are responsible for the devices that employees are using to potentially expose them to security breaches, half of organizations worldwide have not established cybersecurity guidelines for remote work.

In a press release, CEO and president of OneLogin, Brad Brooks provided further details on the company's 2020 COVID-19 State of Remote work Survey Report , saying:

“Working from home has invited unprecedented challenges to cybersecurity. As the lines between personal and corporate worlds continue to blur, it’s critical that organizations adopt technology and policies that make it as simple as possible for employees to keep systems secure.”

• Also check out our complete list of the best video conferencing software

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Smart displays have been around for a while now – since being introduced to the market in 2015, their popularity has soared and you can find them in households across our nation as we progress into the age of tech-driven home ecosystems.

Amazon, a major player in the smart home game, has continually produced smart speakers which have been favoured by tech enthusiasts.

If you’re interested in purchasing one of these well-liked devices, now is a great time to do so as the much anticipated Mid-Year Sale event has seen Amazon discount its popular Echo Show 5 smart display by 39%.

As you would expect, the Echo Show 5 packs in all the traditional features of a smart display – inbuilt voice activation, a virtual assistant (otherwise known as Alexa) and a large 5.5-inch screen.

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What’s great about this device is its convenience – you can easily manage your calendar, make to-do lists, watch movies, listen to songs and set your alarm all from this nifty smart home appliance.

Not only that, you can also use voice control to manage other smart gadgets within your home, making it the central location for your cultivated intelligent machinery.

The Echo Show 5 also has a camera and a mic, meaning you can stay in contact with your friends and family if they have a compatible Echo device, the Alexa app or even a Skype account.

You can grab the Echo Show 5 today for only AU$79 – that’s well below the usual AU$129 price point for your very own virtual assistant. Make your life easier and head to Amazon today to secure this handy smart display – available in charcoal or sandstone.

• Need a slightly larger screen? Read our review of the Echo Show 8

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Michael B. Jordan's Just Mercy is free to stream, to help educate on systemic racism - CNET

The 2019 legal drama tells the true story of civil rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson. It's free to rent on all digital platforms in the US during June.

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DEA reportedly authorized to 'conduct covert surveillance' of protestors - CNET

Authorization temporarily expands scope of agency usually tasked with investigating federal drug crimes, according to a memo obtained by BuzzFeed News.

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Latest Gadgets News

The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max comes in three RAM and storage configurations and packs a quad rear camera setup. The phone is backed by a large 5,020mAh battery with fast charging support.

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These cars need engine rebuilds most often - Roadshow

Consumer Reports identified 11 cars that showed major engine problems, and offered more reliable alternatives.

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Latest Games News

Valorant — Riot Games’ new free-to-play online first-person shooter — is out now in India, Asia-Pacific, Oceania, Europe, Turkey, Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Russia, and CIS countries.

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Sony on Monday postponed a streamed event at which it was to showcase games tailored for new-generation PlayStation 5 consoles, stepping back amid growing unrest in US cities.

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A new report shows 3D-printed mock-ups of four iPhone 12 units, revealing a potential physical design and some insight: if they’re to be believed, this year’s Apple phones have all had their SIM trays relocated to make room for 5G antennas.

The iPhone 11 series had the SIM slot and tray on the right side below the power button, but photos of 3D-printed mock-up units of the iPhone 12, which were posted by Japanese tech site Macotakara, shows they’ve been moved to the volume rocker on the left side. They were relocated to make room for a 5G antenna in package (AIP) like Qualcomm 5G NR’s mmWave antenna module, Alibaba sources told the site.

We’ll take this early rumor with a grain of salt, especially since these are the first time we’ve seen supposed physical designs of the upcoming phones. It’s unclear where the 3D design came from – if the models were leaked or just measurements – but for clarity, here they are:

The models do align with what we’ve heard before, which suggest four total iPhone 12 units: two lower-end units that come in 5.4-inch and 6.1-inch displays, with higher-end Pro and Pro Max versions featuring 6.1-inch and and 6.7-inch screens (curiously, the Macotakara report mentions 6.0-inch measurements for both middle-sized versions). 

But the dummy units match those predictions, with the presumed lower-end models packing two rear cameras versus three cameras on the back of the two higher-end models. And since all the SIM slots were moved, it suggests all four units will be getting 5G – another prior prediction for the iPhone 12 line.

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Other discoveries from iPhone 12 mock-ups

Given this is the first we’ve seen of the iPhone 12’s supposed physical design, we’re not sure how accurately they’ll predict the Apple handsets’ final looks. But if they are true, there’s a few things to note.

First, they retain the wide notches of Apple’s phones since the iPhone X. Their overall design is boxy, much like the squared-off iPhone 4 and iPhone 5. Per the mock-ups, the iPhone 12 will also retain the Lightning port, opposing rumors that they’ll be switched to USB-C, like the latest iPad Pro.

These 3D-printed models are also of identical size to the mock-ups Macotakara previously unveiled, which claimed all models will be 7.4mm thick. That’s about the same size as the iPhone 8 (and 7 and 6S before it), but remarkably thinner than the latest phones, with the iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 thicknesses at 8.1mm and 8.3mm, respectively. 

It’s too early to give these details much credence, but it does suggest that Apple may have trimmed down its next array of flagship phones.

Via 9to5Mac

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With the budget smartphone market in Australia heating up thanks to new competitors like Realme, Oppo has announced a new addition to its affordable A-series line-up. 

Priced at only AU$299, the new Oppo A72 offers premium looks and an impressive quad camera array on its rear, along with a very modern punch-hole selfie camera nestled in its 6.5-inch 1080p LTPS 'Neo-Display'. 

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Camera features

Boasting a 48MP AI-powered main camera, the Oppo A72 also sports an 8MP ultra-wide lens, along with two additional 2MP portrait-style lenses. As for the device's selfie camera, you get a 16MP snapper with full access to Oppo's beautification technology.

Despite the handset's low price point, the A72's cameras are said to offer Oppo's 'Ultra Night Mode 2.0' for improved low-light photography, and the ability to record video at 120fps ultra slow-motion or 4K resolution. 

More specs and availability

Sporting Android 10 right out of the box, Oppo A72 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 665 chipset, which is backed by 4GB of RAM. Additionally, users get 128GB of onboard storage (up to 256GB via microSD), dual 4G SIM slots and a massive 5,000mAh battery.

Available in Aurora Purple (pictured) and Twilight Black colour options, Oppa A72 will be available to purchase via Optus from June 9, 2020. 

• Compare more smartphone prices at Getprice

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