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Author: James Miller

  • Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL box contents and full specs leaked

    Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL box contents and full specs leaked

    Google will officially take the wraps off the Pixel 4 range at its Made by Google event on October 15th. The handset has been the subject of numerous leaks in the past. In fact, it was leaked so often that Google officially revealed a teaser image of the handset in June. Today, we have yet another leak of the handset that spills the beans about the handset’s innards along with its box contents.

    The new report falls in line with earlier leaks about the Pixel 4, confirming that both pixel devices will run the latest Snapdragon 855 processor bundled with 6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of built-in storage. Besides, the new leak mentions of a ‘Pixel Neural Core’, which is possibly some marketing related term that replaces last year’s ‘Pixel Visual Core’ terminology. Elsewhere, the leak confirms the presence of a 90Hz OLED screen on both models, dual rear cameras, along with the Titan M Security Module.

    Below is the complete spec sheet of Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 as per the latest leak.

    Google Pixel 4 Specs

    Display: 5.7″ Full HD+ Smooth Display (up to 90Hz OLED) – Ambient EQ
    Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 – Pixel Neural Core
    Memory: 6 GB RAM
    Storage: 64 GB or 128 GB
    Cameras: 12 MP Dual-Pixel & 16 MP Telephoto
    Battery: 2800 mAh
    Audio: Stereo speakers
    Features: Face unlock, Motion Sense
    OS: Android OS with 3 years of security and OS updates
    Security: Titan M Security Module

    Google Pixel 4 XL Specs

    Display – 6.3″ Quad HD+ Smooth Display (up to 90Hz OLED) – Ambient EQ
    Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 – Pixel Neural Core
    Memory: 6 GB RAM
    Storage: 64 GB or 128 GB
    Cameras: 12 MP Dual-Pixel & 16 MP Telephoto
    Battery: 3700 mAh
    OS: Android OS with 3 years of security and OS updates
    Audio: Stereo speakers
    Features: Face unlock, Motion Sense
    Security: Titan M Security Module

    Apart from the spec sheet, the leak also sheds light on the list of items that’ll be included in the box. These include an 18W USB-C charger, a 1-meter USB-C to USB-C cable, a SIM ejector pin, a Quick Switch Adapter, and Quick Start Guide.

    Leaks about the Pixel 4 are pouring thick and fast on an almost daily basis. At this rate, we wonder if there’ll be anything we did not know about when Google officially unveils these devices on October 15th.

  • YouTube TV finally arrives on Amazon Fire TV

    YouTube TV finally arrives on Amazon Fire TV

    Google’s paid TV streaming service, YouTube TV, is now officially available on Amazon’s Fire TV platform. Amazon confirmed the news in a blog post stating that  YouTube TV is now available on a wide range of devices such as n Fire TV devices including Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen), Fire TV Stick 4K, all-new Fire TV Cube, Toshiba and Insignia Fire TV Edition Smart TVs and more.

    “The YouTube TV app brings 70+ channels of live sports, breaking news, must-see shows and movies from major broadcast and popular cable networks to the big screen. We are excited to give Fire TV fans more choice than ever to watch live TV content on Fire TV,” wrote Amazon in a blog post.

    YouTube TV offers channels from networks like ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC, as well as popular channels such as Discovery, TNT, CNN, ESPN, FX, as well as on-demand programming. Amazon also added that the app is compatible with Fire TV Stick (2nd Gen), Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube (1st and 2nd Gen), All Toshiba, Insignia, Element, and Westinghouse Fire TV Edition Smart TVs, Fire TV (2nd Gen), Fire TV (3rd Gen — Pendant Design).

    Besides, Amazon also said that the service is not compatible with first-generation Fire TV Stick or Fire TV. The YouTube TV app is now available on Amazon Appstore for users in the United States. The service now costs $50 a month after Google announced a price hike earlier this year.

    To recall, Amazon and Google ended their dispute in April this year, which saw the arrival of Fire TV and Amazon Prime Video on Chromecast. In return, Google allowed Amazon to release YouTube on its streaming platform.

  • Twitter now lets iOS users add favorited lists to their Home timeline

    Twitter now lets iOS users add favorited lists to their Home timeline

    Twitter has rolled out a new feature that lets users pin up to five favorite lists in its iOS app. The feature essentially works like TweetDeck, allowing users to easily switch their timeline to view tweets directly from the Home screen.

    “On iOS starting September 23, we’ll be expanding this feature to people across the globe who will now get to pin up to five Lists directly to their Home timeline, and with a fancy new landing page,” Twitter shared in a press release.

    With the new feature, users can pin and unpin up to five lists, whose tweets they can view directly on their Home timeline. The whole idea is to give users a more curated experience compared to what chronological or top tweets can offer.

    Twitter has also added a new landing page for your pinned lists, which displays a header image and more information about your customizable timelines, such as the numbers of members and subscribers. iOS users can customize their lists by tapping on their profile picture. Then, in the home menu, just click on the lists tab.

    “This is just the beginning of our work to make Lists a way to discover and follow conversations about the things you care about. By the end of the year, Lists will be getting a revamp with new features including the ability to report, discover and share Lists created by the global Twitter community,” Twitter added in the press release.

    Meanwhile, Android users wondering whether the feature would arrive on their platform. Well, there’s good news as key sources confirm that Twitter plans to expand the feature outside of iOS. That said, there’s no word on the exact date yet.

  • Amazon announces lossless streaming with Amazon Music HD

    Amazon announces lossless streaming with Amazon Music HD

    To better compete with the likes of Apple Music and Spotify, Amazon has rolled out a lossless streaming tier called Amazon Music HD. The company claims that this new tier added to its existing music service allows subscribers to listen to more than 50 million songs in high-definition.

    Amazon Music HD costs $12.99 a month for Amazon Prime members and $14.99 a month for non-Prime users. The new service will offer songs with a bit depth of 16 bits and a sample rate of 44.1 kHz. Besides, Amazon claims that customers will be able to stream around a ‘million songs’ in  Ultra HD, which offers a bit depth of 24 bits and a sample rate of up to 192 kHz.

    “We spoke with many artists while developing Amazon Music HD, who were excited about the potential for fans to be able to stream their favorite music and hear as it was originally recorded. From rock to hip-hop to classical and pop, we believe listening to music at this level of sound will make customers fall in love again with their favorite music and artists,” said Amazon Music vice president Steve Boom.

    Amazon recommends that users have a data speed of at least 1.5Mbps. Besides, the company also notes that sound quality and compatibility are hardware dependent. Amazon Music HD is compatible with a wide range of iOS and Android devices, including both desktop and mobile. The service is also available on some Echo devices, Fire TV, as well as Fire tablets. Amazon Music HD is now available in the US, UK, Germany, and Japan. The company is also offering a 90-day free trial for users to try out the new lossless streaming tier.

    For now, Spotify and Apple Music rule the roost when it comes to music streaming services. Spotify is a globally popular brand and Apple has partnered with several carriers in the US to boost the popularity of its music service. Amazon’s latest move can certainly attract more users to subscribe to its service. And if Amazon’s newly added lossless streaming tier turns out to be a success, we won’t be surprised if the likes of Spotify and Apple Music come up with something similar.

  • OnePlus 7T to go official on September 26

    OnePlus 7T to go official on September 26

    OnePlus on Monday announced its plans to unveil the OnePlus 7T at an event on September 26. The Chinese smartphone maker will hold an offline event on the said date in New Delhi, India, along with a North American reveal which starts at 10:30 am ET. Following these two, there’ll be another launch event on October 10 in London, where the company says there is ‘much more to come’. Apart from the dates and times, the invite also reads the following: “90 Hz Display. Smooth Like Never Before,” which only suggests the upcoming OnePlus 7T series will have 90Hz displays.

    Much like the Pixel 4, the OnePlus 7T has also been subject to a barrage of leaks in the past. According to key sources, the OnePlus 7T is expected to feature a 6.55-inch AMOLED display. Under the hood, the smartphone is expected to get powered by Snapdragon 855+ processor bundled with 8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of storage. Other key specs include a 3800mAh battery and a triple-lens camera setup.

    The OnePlus 7T Pro, on the other hand, is expected to sport a 6.65-inch AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 855+ CPU, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a 4085mAh battery. The device is also said to come with an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.

    Rumor also has it that the OnePlus 7T Pro may launch with Android 10 pre-installed. Now, this would break the trend for the company where the past “T” models often shipped with an outdated version of Android OS. For instance, the OnePlus 5T launched with Android 7.1 Nougat, which was an outdated Android version during its release.

    We’ll know more when the company officially unveils the OnePlus 7T series on September 26. In the meantime, more leaks about the handset are likely to surface before we near its official release. We’ll update you as soon as we hear anything new. Until then, keep checking back for more.

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 7 key specifications leaked

    Microsoft Surface Pro 7 key specifications leaked

    Microsoft is expected to unveil the Surface Pro 7 at the company’s hardware event on October 2. So far, not a lot of information has been revealed about this model in the form of leaks and rumors. That said, with less than a month to go before the official unveiling, a new leak has emerged purportedly revealing the hardware configurations that Microsoft will offer for the Surface Pro 7. According to a report by WinFuture, Microsoft plans to offer as many as five different models in order to attract as many buyers as possible.

    The leak indicates that the Surface Pro 7 will be powered by the latest-generation Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, and Intel Core i7 processors. The leak further notes that the device wiil be offered in five different hardware configurations. These include:

    • Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Intel Core i3, 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD
    • Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
    • Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Intel Core i5, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
    • Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
    • Microsoft Surface Pro 7, Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD

    In other related news, Microsoft is also expected to launch a refreshed Surface Go model alongside the Surface Pro 7. And a recent Geekbench listing suggests that the Surface Go might get upgraded with a new processor to boost overall performance. According to the Geekbench listing, the new Surface Go gets powered by the Intel Core m3-8100Y processor, unlike the Pentium Gold 4415Y chipset found on older models.

    Microsoft has already confirmed that its next hardware event is scheduled to take place on October 2 in New York City. The software giant is expected to take the wraps off several Surface models at the event.

    Besides, Microsoft is rumoured to be working on a foldable Surface device for a couple of years now. This dual-screen Surface model is said to come with two separate screens, and might also be unveiled at the October 2 event.

  • Apple Watch Series 5: All you need to know

    Apple Watch Series 5: All you need to know

    Along with the iPhone 11 range, Apple also announced its brand new smartwatch with Apple Watch Series 5. For the most part, Apple hasn’t made any radical changes when it comes to the look and feel of the smartwatch. However, the Apple Watch Series 5 gets a bevy of hardware and software changes, along with a plethora of choices for cases and straps.

    To begin with, the Apple Watch Series 5 is the first Apple Watch to come with an always-on display, which Apple calls the ‘Always On Retina display’. With this new feature, the latest Apple Watch joins the number of competitor smartwatches that come with ‘Always On’ displays. Apple has used an LTPO (Low-Temperature Polysilicone and Oxide) Retina Display, which allows the watch to adjust the display’s refresh rate. It goes up to 60Hz when a user is interacting with the smartwatch, and drops to 1Hz in Always On mode.

    The addition of an ‘always-on’ display wouldn’t affect the battery life, as the Apple Watch Series 5 is rated to deliver the same 18-hour backup as its predecessor.

    “Apple Watch Series 5 features an innovative new display that allows the time and important information to remain visible at all times. Each watch face has been carefully optimized for the new display and to preserve battery life, the screen intelligently dims when a user’s wrist is down and returns to full brightness with a raise or a tap. This combination of hardware innovation and incredible software design allows Apple Watch Series 5 to offer an all-day 18-hour battery life,” said Apple.

    Elsewhere, Apple’s latest smartwatch features a built-in compass and an updated Map app to give users a navigation device right on their wrist. There’s also a new compass app that displays latitude and longitude, heading, incline, and current elevation. And to give users an extra layer of safety when traveling, the Apple Watch Series 5 comes with the international emergency calling.

    Like its predecessors, the Apple Watch Series 5 focuses on health and fitness. The smartwatch now features menstrual cycle tracking, as well as a new research app. As far as software goes, the Apple Watch Series 5 gets powered by watchOS 6.

    Besides, Apple Watch Series 5 is also the first of its kind available in four different casing materials. These include aluminum, stainless steel, ceramic, as well as titanium. Apple has also made the App Store accessible within the smartwatch. The company has also created a brand new online “Apple Watch Studio”, which allows users to mix and match Apple Watch cases and straps and choose a combination that works for them.

    In terms of pricing, the Apple Watch Series 5 starts at $399 for the GPS version, while its 4G version gets a price tag of $499. It is now available for pre-order via Apple.com and the Apple Store app, while it’ll arrive on store shelves on September 20.

    You can find out more about the Apple Watch Series 5 on the official Apple website.

  • New Google Pixel 4 leak tips at major camera upgrades

    New Google Pixel 4 leak tips at major camera upgrades

    The Google Pixel 4 is all set for a release sometime in October. Past leaks have given us a fairly good idea about what to expect from Google’s upcoming flagship. Now, the latest rumor tips that massive camera upgrades are on the cards for the Pixel 4. A new report by 9to5Google suggests that the bulky camera on the back of the Pixel 4 will have a new feature called Motion Mode, allowing users to take high-quality action shots with the least amount of blur.

    The report further adds that the popular Night Mode would also get an upgrade. Therefore, users will be able to take even better photos in low-light conditions with the Pixel 4, such as shots of a starry night.

    Key sources indicate that both Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will pack a dual-lens camera for the first time – a standard 12MP lens and a 16MP telephoto lens. Rumor also has it that the telephoto lens will come with 8x zoom capabilities.

    As per earlier leaks, the Pixel 4 is expected to get powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 processor. Besides, leaks also hint at 6GB RAM for both Pixel 4 models, which would be an upgrade on the 4GB RAM found on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. However, leaks suggest the Pixel 4 will be offered in 64GB and 128GB storage options, same as last year’s Pixel 3 range.

    Another major feature of the upcoming flagship would be the ability to control the phone and apps with gestures from above the screen. Google teased a video a few months back, which shows off how users will be able to control the Pixel 4 without touching the screen, just by hand gestures. Besides, Google also plans to upgrade the face unlock mechanism with its new Pixel range. The latest video shows how a user unlocks the Pixel 4 by looking at it, similar to how Face ID works.

    Google is expected to launch the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL sometime in October, while shipping is likely to begin later that month. More leaks about the Pixel 4 are likely to surface as we near its official release. We’ll update you as soon as we hear anything new. Until then, keep checking back for more.

  • Android 10 arrives on Pixel phones

    Android 10 arrives on Pixel phones

    Android 10 has officially arrived. Google started rolling out the latest version of its Android OS to Pixel phone users on Tuesday. As expected, Android 10 brings several tweaks and performance improvements. Though for the most part, Android 10 appears to be an incremental update as users may not notice some of the new features immediately.

    Some of the highlights in Android 10 include the new gesture system. For instance, you’ll need to swipe right from the screen’s left edge to back, instead of just pressing the back button found in earlier versions of Android. Users can also swipe left or right on the bottom of the screen to scroll through their recently used apps.

    Another significant change is the new Privacy settings. In Android 10, all privacy settings like app permissions, account activity, and personal data are found in one place. Now, this is much unlike Android 9, where users need to find app privacy settings within each app. With the latest version of Android, users can customize how apps on their smartphone access their location data. They can choose between three options; all the time, only when they use the app, or never. Moreover, it even reminds users if they allowed apps to access their location all the time.

    Elsewhere, Android 10 devices will get security updates like an app update in the Google Play Store. The whole idea is to make it faster and easier for users to get the latest security updates.

    Besides, there’s a new Focus mode, which allows users’ to temporarily pause apps which they might find distracting while performing som other tasks.

    Android 10 also allows users to save photos in HEIF format, which essentially uses less space without comprising on quality. Therefore, photos look just as good as the earlier JPEG format, without consuming too much space on the phone.

    There’s also a new app called Sound Amplifier. As the name suggests, it allows users to boost the sound they want to hear by filtering out the background noise. However, the feature only works with wired headphones.

    Android 10 also happens to be the first version of Android that doesn’t have a dessert name. Google decided to ditch dessert-themed names as global users found it easier to relate to numbers.

    As is usually the case with major updates, Android 10 will arrive in phases. Hence, not all Pixel users might have received the update right away. Users, however, can manually check if the update is available by heading over to Settings> System> Advanced> System Update.

  • Huawei Mate 30 launch date announced

    Huawei Mate 30 launch date announced

    The Huawei Mate 30 is set to go official at an event in Munich on September 19. The Chinese manufacturer recently posted the event’s invite which shows a gradient ring with the caption ” We’re going full circle in Munich on 19.09.2019″. The teaser image does fall in line with earlier leaks, which shows a round camera housing with a thick ring around it. Besides, the teaser also tips at a quad-camera setup, along with an almost bezel-free display with a wider notch. The teaser primarily focuses on the camera lens graphic, which suggests the flagship is likely to pack a top-notch camera.

    Key sources suggest that both the Huawei Mate 30 and Huawei Mate 30 Pro will be unveiled at the event. The Chinese manufacturer’s upcoming flagship will also get powered by the latest Kirin 990 processor. Other rumored features include support for wireless charging.

    That said, the fact that Mate 30 phones possibly won’t use Google apps and services thanks to the current trade disputes between China and the US, Huawei might have to consider other alternatives so that the handset’s sales aren’t affected. If the Huawei Mate 20 isn’t allowed to be sold with licensed Google apps and services, the handset could be offered an open-source version of Android. Another alternative for Huawei is to release it own HarmonyOS that’ll support Android apps. That said, it’s still possible that Google might apply for an exempt for the Huawei Mate 30.

    We will bring you all the news and updates from the Mate 30 launch event set for Sept 19. in Munich. In the meantime, more leaks about the Huawei’s upcoming flagship are likely to surface as we near its official release. We’ll update you as soon as we hear anything new. Until then, keep checking back for more.

  • Huawei announces Harmony OS after US ban

    Huawei announces Harmony OS after US ban

    Huawei has finally announced Harmony OS, the official Android replacement following its ban in the United States. The new OS is supposed to run on all of Huawei’s consumer gadgets and smartphones. The move comes following a trade war between the US and China.

    To recall, the United States government blacklisted Huawei in mid-May. Back then, the President of the United States signed an executive order in which the Chinese brand was banned to do any business with American firms. This restricted Huawei to use American products like Android and Windows, which means that its new consumer gadgets would have remained without an operating system to run them.

    The main issue with Huawei has been about its close ties with the Chinese government. Now, this triggered fears in the US that its equipment could be used to spy on other nations and companies, which banned companies from using Huawei networking equipment in 2012. Following this, Huawei was added to the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security Entity List in May after an executive order from President Donald Trump, effectively banning Huawei from United States communications networks.

    Huawei then started working on an internal operating system to replace Android on its own devices. Sources indicate that Huawei has been working on the new Harmony OS for quite sometime now, and recent developments forced Huawei to accelerate its development. The Chinese brand finally announced the OS during the Huawei developers conference.

    Just like Android, Huawei’s new Harmony OS uses micro-kernel, implying that kernel is developed using only the necessary drivers. This would allow Huawei to deploy the OS swiftly on multiple devices. The Chinese brand also added that Harmony OS is faster than Android because the connections between the phone’s hardware and several parts of the OS is made through a single layer. Besides, the company also plans to make Harmony an open-source OS in the near future, which would allow developers to create apps easily for this OS.

  • Apple reportedly working on a foldable iPhone

    Apple reportedly working on a foldable iPhone

    UBS has claimed in an investor note that Apple is reportedly working on folding devices. The report indicates that a folding iPhone is already in the works, but Apple might initially launch a folding iPad. Additionally, the report notes that a folding device from Apple is more likely to release in 2021, but it could also arrive early in 2020.

    According to UBS, Samsung dominates intellectual property filings for folding display and device technologies. However, Apple has been continuously working on the technology for folding display. UBS added that Apple might launch a folding device as early as next year, though 2021 seems more likely for now. Furthermore, UBS suggests that Apple’s first folding device will more likely be an iPad than the iPhone.

    The report, however, notes that pricing would be a significant hurdle which shouldn’t come as a surprise. Customers are willing to shell out a little extra for folding devices, but not the outrageous $2000 price tag of the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

    “The survey indicates greater willingness to pay a premium ($600) and generally higher interest among Apple buyers for foldable products. This suggests that the industry will need to work to reduce costs for foldable mobile devices further to take off as a products category,” said UBS.

    UBS also indicates that the concept of a folding phone held a much higher appeal for more than a third of customers. That said, Apple will likely adopt a different approach than Samsung. The Korean brand didn’t have the start they might’ve have hoped for with the launch of the Galaxy Fold.

    The device was earlier set for a release in April; however, the launch was pushed back due to screen issues found by reviewers. Samsung now claims it has fixed such problems and announced the handset would go on sale in September.

  • Samsung Galaxy Note 10 full specifications leaked

    Samsung Galaxy Note 10 full specifications leaked

    Samsung will officially announce the Galaxy Note 10 tomorrow at an Unpacked event in New York. We already have a fairly good idea about the device thanks to numeorus leaks in the past.

    Now, we have yet another leak that reveals all the key details and specifications just before its official unveiling. The leak comes via credible tipster Evan Blass aka @evleaks, who has an immaculate track record with his past leaks. Blass has not only published images of the handset, but also revealed full specifications of the Galaxy Note 10.

    Not to mention, the latest leak also confirms we’ll have not two, but three different variants of the Galaxy Note 10. One of them will be a 6.3-inch model simply called the Galaxy Note 10. It’ll come with a quad camera setup which inludes a 12MP wide + 12MP zoom + 16MP ultra-wide, and a +3D depth sensor. Other specs include a 3800mAH battery, 6GB RAM, and 256GB of storage.

    Up next, we have the Galaxy Note 10+ which will come equipped with a 6.8-inch display and the same quad-camera setup. It’ll be offered in a choice of 256GB and 512GB configurations. This particular variant will come equipped with 12GB of RAM.

    Galaxy Note 10 5G

    Finally, we’ll have a 5G variant that’ll also be called the Galaxy Note 10+. It’ll come with the same specs as its non-5G sibling, apart from the Qualcomm 5G modem.

    Under the hood, powering all three variants will be Exynos 9825 chipset. All three models will also have a fingerprint sensor embedded within the screen. Samsung has also opted for the USB-C port, hence, there won’t be a headphone jack.

    galaxy note 10
    Credits: @evleaks

    Elsewhere, the Galaxy Note 10 will also come with 25W Super Fast Charge. Key sources also indicate that the device might feature 45W fast charging, however it’s not mentioned anywhere in the listed spec sheet.

    The Galaxy Note 10 will be unveiled at an Unpacked event in New York tomorrow. Users can watch the Galaxy Note 10 launch event livestream via Samsung’s official website. The event kicks-off at 4PM EST on August 7. Shipments to customers who’ve pre-ordered the phone is likely to begin later this month.

  • Samsung support page confirm the Galaxy Note 10+

    Samsung support page confirm the Galaxy Note 10+

    A handful of support pages that went live during the weekend confirm that the Galaxy Note 10+ will be launched alongside the standard model. These pages must have got the go-ahead early, though have now been removed. Samsung Romania, for instance, tipped at a Note 10+ model with 512GB of storage. Besides, sources also indicate that a 256GB variant is coming well. However, these pages did not reveal any other specifics about the device. With that being said, much has been already leaked about the device.

    To begin with, Samsung plans to launch two variants of the Galaxy Note 10. The standard model will simply be called the Galaxy Note 10 and feature a 6.3-inch display. The top-end model, likely to be called the Galaxy Note 10+, will boast a 6.8-inch display. Leaks have also tipped at a 3500mAh battery for the standard Note 10 and a bigger 4300mAh battery for the top-end variant. Both models will come bundled with a 25W charger, however the Note 10+ is said to get support for a 45W charger as well. However, buyers will have shell out extra for the same as it won’t be a part of the standard package.

    Under the hood, powering both models will be the latest Snapdragon 855 processor. Elsewhere, even the S-Pen is said to get its fair share of upgrades. It’ll inlcude support for gesture control, giving users the ability to induce action on the screen without the need to touch it. The updated S-Pen will also support what is reportedly called “air gestures”.

    We can expect a bunch of handy upgrades in the camera department as well. Leaks indicate that the front selfie cam will get a feature called Night Mode. This should allow users to click better selfies even in low light conditions. The rear cam is also set to feature integrated Live Focus and audio zoom capability, with the latter offering the ability to zoom in on a particular zone to capture the audio better during video shoots.

    The Galaxy Note 10 is slated for a global launch at an event in New York on August 7. Users can watch the Galaxy Note 10 launch event livestream via Samsung’s official website. The event kicks-off at 4PM EST on August 7.

  • Apple buys Intel’s smartphone modem business for $1 billion

    Apple buys Intel’s smartphone modem business for $1 billion

    Apple has officially confirmed in a press release that it has acquired a major stake in Intel’s 5G smartphone modem business. The iPhone-maker wants to acquire the majority of Intel’s smartphone business, along with over 2200 Intel employees, intellectual property, equipment and leases, in order to manufacture modems for future iPhones. The move will cost Apple nearly a billion US dollars, and plans to close the deal will happen sometime in the fourth quarter of 2019.

    “We’ve worked with Intel for many years and know this team shares Apple’s passion for designing technologies that deliver the world’s best experiences for our users,” said Johny Srouji, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies. “Apple is excited to have so many excellent engineers join our growing cellular technologies group, and know they’ll thrive in Apple’s creative and dynamic environment.”

    Apple, however, won’t take over the entire smartphone modem business from Intel, who’ll still manufacture modems for products such as autonomous vehicles, personal computers, and IoT (Internet of Things) devices. Once the deal is finalized, Apple will acquire over 17,000 wireless technology patents ranging from protocols for cellular standards and modem operation and architecture.

    Meanwhile, Intel claims it wants to sell the smartphone modem business because they want to focus on 5G technologies for telecommunications equipment manufacturers, network operators, and cloud service providers. Intel CEO Bob Swan stated that the agreement will allow the compny to focus on developing technology for 5G network while also retaining crucial intellectual property and modem technology.