Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot are now cheaper: Here's what you need to know

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June 9, 2018

Amazon Echo Dot is now priced at Rs. 4,099

Amazon's smart speaker line-up, the Amazon Echo has now received a price cut in India. The Echo family is one of the most popular smart-speaker line-ups in India. The company has reduced the prices in order to compete against the Google Home and Home Mini.

The Echo Dot which was earlier priced at Rs. 4,499 has now received a price cut of Rs. 400 and it will now be available for Rs. 4,099. The mid-range Amazon Echo with Dolby Support has received a price cut of Rs. 1,000 bringing its price down from Rs. 9,999 to Rs. 8,999. However, the prices of the larger Echo Plus and the recently launched Echo Spot remain the same.

The Amazon Echo Spot and Echo Plus are currently available for Rs. 12,999 and Rs. 14,999 respectively. Customers who purchase two Echo devices together can avail an edition Rs. 1,000 discount on the final bill.

The Echo and Echo Dot compete directly against the Google Home and Home Mini. As per the reports, Google Home speakers managed to become the best-selling smart speakers in the first quarter of 2018. The Google Home and Home Mini are currently available via Flipkart at a price of Rs. 4,099 and Rs. 8,999. The recent price cut has brought similar price tags for the Amazon Echo and Echo Dot.

Also Read: Amazon Echo Spot launched in India: Here are the Top 3 Alternatives

Meanwhile, Amazon recently unveiled the Amazon Fire TV Cube which is basically a combination of Amazon's Fire Stick and Echo. The Amazon Fire TV Cube is available in the US for a price of USD 120 (roughly Rs. 8,100) for regular customers while prime users can grab it for USD 90 (roughly Rs. 6,100).

Yahoo's "The 32" to keep you up to date with FIFA 2018 updates live

By

Brahmjot Singh

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June 8, 2018

The 32 will be live streamed on Yahoo's website as well as the Yahoo Sports app

Yahoo has introduced a new video series called "The 32" for the upcoming World Cup series. The series can be live streamed via Yahoo's website or the Yahoo Sports application. The live stream will be available at 1 PM on every match day and will be hosted by broadcaster Reshmin Chowdhury and Toby Tarrant.

Reshmin Chowdhury says, “This tournament is always an exciting mix of football, culture, and often a career pinnacle for players. It’s also when friends and families unite to enjoy the beautiful game. Whether you’re a lifelong football fan, or new to the sport, we look forward to sharing your World Cup adventure and bringing you up to speed with all the big news from Russia. We can’t wait to see you every morning!”

Raj Mannick, Head of Sport, Yahoo UK, says, “‘The 32’ will make Russia a tournament to treasure, and we’re delighted to bring this show to audiences wherever they may be on mobile or desktop. If you can’t be in Russia, then ‘The 32’ is a fun show with a super line-up of talent including Reshmin Chowdhury, Toby Tarrant, Jim & Dave and a slew of other big-name guests.”

The FIFA World Cup series will be taking place in Russia starting June 14. The new "The 32" series by Yahoo will be supporting each of the 32 participating nations and that is how the name "The 32" came in. You can get all the football news with just the Yahoo Sports app or by visiting their website.

Alongside the football news, the series will also add things like fan culture from the venues in Russia. The 32 will also bring in fan reactions from London studio where Jim Daly and Dave Bibby will be joining in to bring their comments on the tournament.

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) and Galaxy J7 (2018) launched: Specifications and Alternatives

By

Tech Desk

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June 8, 2018

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2018) features a traditional 16:9 panel

The South Korean giant, Samsung has now finally launched the Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) and the Galaxy J7 (2018). These smartphones are the successors to the Galaxy J3 (2017) and the Galaxy J7 (2017). The company has not given any pricing or availability details yet, however, the smartphones are going to affordable and priced below Rs. 20,000 when they enter India.

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2018) features a 5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. The Galaxy J7 (2018), on the other hand, sports a larger 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with the same resolution. The J3 (2018) comes with a 5-megapixel front and an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera while the J7 (2018) has 13-megapixel camera sensors on the front as well as the back.

Samsung has not disclosed the details about the processor, RAM and the amount of storage provided in these smartphones. As we do not know when these smartphones will make their appearance in the markets, here are some alternatives available to buy right now in India.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

If you want a Samsung smartphone that is good and affordable, you can opt-in for the Galaxy J7 Pro. The Galaxy J7 Pro features a 5.5-inch FullHD Super AMOLED display. The smartphone packs in 3GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The Galaxy J7 Pro is currently available for Rs. 16,990.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro features a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC. The device packs in 4GB or 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone is available at a starting price of Rs. 14,999.

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 is currently one of the best affordable smartphones out there. The ZenFone Max Pro M1 features a 5.99-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC coupled with 3GB or 4GB of RAM. Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 starts at a price of Rs. 10,999.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star and Galaxy A9 Star Lite launched in China: Here are some alternatives

By

Devesh Arora

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June 8, 2018

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star sports a metal body

Samsung has now officially launched the Samsung Galaxy A9 Star and Galaxy A9 Star Lite in China. These are Samsung's new offerings under the mid-range smartphone category. The Galaxy A9 Star is priced at CNY 2,999 (roughly Rs. 31,600) while the A9 Star Lite retails for CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 21,100).

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star Specifications

In terms of specifications, the Samsung Galaxy A9 Star features a 6.28-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED display with an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC coupled with Adreno 512 GPU. The device packs in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage which is further expandable up to 256GB using a microSD card. The smartphone runs on Android 8.0 Oreo and it is backed by a 3,700mAh battery.

On the optics front, the Galaxy A9 Star sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 16-megapixel primary and a 24-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, there is a 24-megapixel selfie shooter.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star has a dual camera setup with a 16-megapixel primary sensor with LED flash and f/1,7 aperture, and a 24-megapixel secondary sensor. It has a 24-megapixel camera at the front with f/1.0 aperture and AI beauty features.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star Lite Specifications

The Galaxy A9 Star, on the other hand, is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 SoC. The smartphone features a 6-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED 18.5:9 display. The smartphone comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The device runs on Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. Under the hood, there is a 3,500mAh battery.

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star Lite is very similar to the Galaxy A6+

The Galaxy A9 Star sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 16-megapixel and a 5-megapixel sensor. Up front, there is a 24-megapixel selfie snapper.

Here are some alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy A9 Star and A9 Star Lite that are available in India

OnePlus 6

OnePlus 6 makes as a great alternative as it comes with flagship grade specifications at a similar price point. The OnePlus 6 sports a 6.01-inch FullHD+ SuperAMOLED display and it is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845. The 6GB+64GB variant of the smartphone is currently priced at Rs. 34,999.

Nokia 7 Plus

Nokia 7 Plus is an alternative to the Galaxy A9 Star Lite. The Nokia 7 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC. The smartphone comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The Nokia 7 Plus runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. The smartphone is currently available at a price of Rs. 25,999.

Vivo V9

If the front cameras on the Galaxy A9 Star and A9 Star Lite, the Vivo V9 is the perfect alternative. The Vivo V9 features a 6.3-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x2280 pixels. The smartphone sports a 16MP+5MP dual-camera setup at the back. Up front, there is a 24-megapixel selfie snapper.

BlackBerry KEY2 launched: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

By

Devesh Arora

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June 7, 2018

BlackBerry has finally unveiled the much-anticipated BlackBerry KEY2. The smartphone is a successor to the BlackBerry KEYOne which was launched back in 2017. The highlights of the smartphone include a full QWERTY Physical Keyboard with gesture support and the dual-camera setup at the back.

BlackBerry KEY2 Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the BlackBerry KEY2 features a 4.5-inch FullHD IPS LCD display. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC paired with the Adreno 512 GPU. The dual-SIM handset packs in 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB or 128GB of onboard storage. The smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Under the hood, there is a 3,500mAh battery powering up the device.

On the optics front, the KEY2 sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of two 12-megapixel sensors, one with f/1.8 and the other with f/2.6 aperture. Up front, there is an 8-megapixel selfie shooter with slow-motion and panorama modes

Also Read: BlackBerry KEYone Limited Edition Review: The Business Smartphone?

The BlackBerry KEY2 will be available globally starting this month at a starting price of USD 649 which roughly converts to Rs. 44,000.

The company has not yet mentioned as of when the smartphone will make its way to India. However, here are some alternatives available at a similar price range.

OnePlus 6

OnePlus 6 is a much more viable option at this price point as it comes with a much better processor and display when compared to the BlackBerry KEY2. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC coupled with 6GB or 8GB of RAM. The OnePlus 6 features a 6.01-inch FullHD+ Super AMOLED display with a 19:9 aspect ratio. The OnePlus 6 is available at a starting price of Rs. 34,999.

BlackBerry KEYOne

If you are mesmerised by seeing a full physical keyboard on an Android phone, you can buy the KeyOne if you cannot wait for the KEY2. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor. The dual-SIM handset features a 4.5-inch FullHD IPS LCD display. The 4GB+64GB variant of the smartphone is currently priced at Rs. 33,975.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung Galaxy S8 is another great option when thinking of an alternative to the BlackBerry KEY2. The Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1440x2960 pixels and an 18.5:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone packs in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The Galaxy S8 is currently available at Rs. 37,990 using PayTM offers.

Xiaomi Redmi Y2 launched in India: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

By

Devesh Arora

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June 7, 2018

Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer has launched the successor to the budget-oriented Redmi Y1. The Xiaomi Redmi Y2 shares a similar design language to what we have seen on the recently launched Redmi S2 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro. The 32GB and 64GB variants if the smartphone is priced at Rs. 9,999 and Rs. 12,999 respectively.

Specifications

As for the specifications, the Xiaomi Redmi Y2 features a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720x1440 pixels and an aspect ratio 18:9. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC. The dual-SIM handset packs in 3GB or 4GB of RAM coupled with 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone runs on Android 8.0 Oreo layered with MIUI 9 on top of it. Under the hood, there is a 3,080mAh battery powering up the internals.

On the optics front, the Redmi Y2 sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 12-megapixel primary and a 5-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, there is a 16-megapixel selfie shooter with features like AI Portrait Mode, AI Smart Beauty, Front HDR and Face Unlock.

If the smartphone failed to impress you enough, here are some alternatives that you can buy right now.

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 packs in a better set of hardware at a similar price point. The Redmi Y2 alternative features a 5.99-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC coupled with 3GB or 4GB of RAM. The smartphone comes with 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. The Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 is available at a starting price of Rs. 10,999.

Also Read: Asus Zenfone Max Pro M1 Hands-on Review: Best Budget Phone?

Honor 9 Lite

Honor 9 Lite is currently one of the best alternatives available for the Xiaomi Redmi Y2. The Honor 9 Lite sports a 5.65-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display. The smartphone is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 659 chipset coupled with 3GB or 4GB of RAM. As for storage, the dual-SIM handset is available in 32GB and 64GB storage options. The Honor 9 Lite is available via Flipkart at a starting price of Rs. 10,999.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5

In case you love the MIUI or just want a Xiaomi smartphone, the Redmi Note 5 is a great choice. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC. The device packs in 3GB or 4GB of RAM paired with 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. The 32GB variant is priced at Rs. 9,999 while the 64GB variant retails for Rs. 11,999.

Google releases Android P Beta 2: Here's how to get it

By

Tech Desk

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June 7, 2018

Google recently unveiled the next big update for Android, the Android P. The company released the public beta of the new operating system at the Google I/O 2018. Google had already released a Developer Preview of the OS way before the Google I/O event.

The Android P Beta 2 is currently available as OTA or Factory Image for the following devices:

The Beta 2 update will soon be available for the following smartphones as well:

OnePlus 6
Nokia 7 Plus
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
Essential Phone
Sony Xperia XZ2
Oppo R15 Pro
Vivo X21

How to install the OTA update

For the Google Pixel devices, you can click on the links given above to download the OTA image for your device. Once the file is downloaded, follow these steps in order to install the Android P Beta 2.

Move the downloaded file to your smartphone's internal storage
Enter the recovery mode on your phone by holding down the Power+Volume Down button
Select the option “Apply update from ADB”
Connect the device to your pc and enter the following command on Command Prompt
adb sideload <OTA_image.zip>
(Replace <OTA_image.zip> with the name of the file you downloaded

Also Read: 10 Things to do with your new Android Phone

The new Android P Beta 2 update brings final APIs (level 28) to the table. Developers can now start using the new APIs in order to optimise the applications. Users might soon start getting app updates via the Google Play Store. The Android P Beta 2 also brings a few minor changes including some bug fixes, optimisations and improvements.

Moto Z3 Play launched in Brazil: Price, Specifications and Alternatives

By

Brahmjot Singh

-

June 6, 2018

Moto Z3 Play features an 18:9 display up front

Lenovo-owned Motorola has finally launched the successor to the Moto Z2 Play, the Moto Z3 Play. The Moto Z-lineup is popular for their Moto Mods. The company promised that the Moto Mods would work with three generations of the Moto Z smartphones. With the Z3 Play, we are delighted to know that the company is keeping up with its promise.

Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Moto Z3 Play is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC. The smartphone features a 6.01-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1080x2160 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. the device packs in 4GB of RAM coupled with 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Under the hood, there is a 3,000mAh battery with support for TurboPower.

In the camera department, the Moto Z3 Play sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 12-megapixel and a 5-megapixel sensor. Up front, there is an 8-megapixel selfie shooter.

The Moto Z3 Play now features a fingerprint sensor to the right where the power button was placed in previous generations. The power button has now been shifted to the left side of the device.

The Moto Z3 Play is available in the U.S. for a price of USD 499 which roughly converts to Rs. 33,400. The smartphone will make its way to India after a couple of weeks. If you want to purchase a new smartphone right now, here are some great alternatives.

OnePlus 6

OnePlus 6 is currently one of the best smartphones available in India right now. The Moto Z2 Play might be priced a bit lower than the OnePlus 6's Rs. 34,999 price tag. However, the OnePlus 6 is worth the extra money. The OnePlus 6 is powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC coupled with 6GB or 8GB of RAM.

Moto Z2 Play

If you don't want to spend the extra money and want to use the Moto Mods, you can opt-in for the Moto Z2 Play. Though the smartphone is a year old, it still uses the same 16-pin connector to attach Moto Mods. So all your favourite Moto Mods are going to work with the Moto Z Play. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 SoC paired with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM. The Moto Z2 Play is currently available at a price of around Rs. 18,000.

Nokia 7 Plus

Nokia 7 Plus features a 6-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC. The device packs in 4GB of RAM coupled with 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo and it is backed by a 3,800mAh battery. The Nokia 7 Plus comes with a price tag of Rs. 25,999.

HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12+ launched in India: Price, Specifications and Availability

By

Devesh Arora

-

June 6, 2018

HTC, the Taiwanese smartphone manufacturer has launched two new mid-range smartphones in India. The HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12+ are priced at Rs. 15,800 and Rs. 19,790 respectively. The smartphones will go on sale in India starting Monday, June 11.

HTC Desire 12

In terms of specifications, the HTC Desire 12 features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720x1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The smartphone is powered by the MediaTek MT6739 chipset. The device packs in 3GB of RAM coupled with 32GB of onboard storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. The smartphone is backed by a 2,730mAh battery.

On the optics front, the HTC Desire 12 sports a 13-megapixel camera at the back with an f/2.2 aperture. Up front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie shooter with f/2.4 aperture.

HTC Desire 12+

As for the specifications, the HTC Desire 12+ is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 processor. The smartphone features a larger 6-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 720x1440 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. Just like the Desire 12, the dual-SIM Desire 12+ also comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. The smartphone runs on Android Oreo out of the box. Under the hood, there is a 2,965mAh battery powering up the internals.

In terms of cameras, the Desire 12+ sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 13-megapixel and a 2-megapixel sensor. Up front, there is an 8-megapixel selfie snapper.

In case these smartphones did not sound impressive for their price points, there are some better options available out there. Here are the Top 3 Alternatives available for the HTC Desire 12 and Desire 12+.

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC. The smartphone features a 5.99-inch FullHD+ IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The Max Pro M1 is available in two variants, 3GB+32GB and 4GB+64GB. The smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. The dual-SIM handset is available at a starting price of Rs. 10,999.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is one of the best smartphones available in the mid-range category. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC. The device packs in 4GB or 6GB of RAM coupled with 64GB of onboard storage. The Redmi Note 5 Pro is available at a starting price of Rs. 14,999.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

If you want a smartphone from a tier one brand, then the Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro can be your pick. The Galaxy J7 Pro is powered by the Exynos 7870 octa-core processor. The smartphone features a 5.5-inch FullHD Super AMOLED display. The Galaxy J7 Pro is currently available with a price tag of Rs. 16,900.

LG Q Stylus announced: Here are the Top 3 Alternatives available in India right now

By

Devesh Arora

-

June 6, 2018

LG Q Stylus comes with a Stylus for more productivity

The South Korean giant, LG has announced the LG Q Stylus, Q Stylus Plus and the Q Stylus Alpha. The smartphones are basically some cheaper alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 as they feature a Stylus for extra productivity.

Specifications

In terms of specifications, the LG Q Stylus features a 6.2-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. There are three variants of the LG Q Stylus, namely LG Q Stylus, Q Stylus Plus and Q Stylus Alpha. The Q Stylus Plus gets 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage whereas the other two variants come with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. Under the hood, powering up everything is a 3,300mAh battery.

On the optics front, the LG Q Stylus and Q Stylus Plus come with a 16-megapixel rear camera while the Q Stylus Alpha settles for a 13-megapixel sensor.

LG has just announced the LG Q Stylus and we still don't know when the smartphone will officially launch and importantly when will it make its way to India. However, we have a few alternatives available in India. These alternatives do not come with a Stylus but they do have better hardware when compared to the Q Stylus.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is currently one of the best mid-range smartphones available in India right now. The smartphone features a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of and an aspect ratio of 1080x2160 pixels and an aspect ratio of 18:9. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC coupled with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. The dual-SIM handset comes with 64GB of onboard storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. The Redmi Note 5 Pro is currently available at a starting price of Rs. 14,999.

Also Read: Asus ROG Phone launched: Here are the Top 5 Alternatives

Nokia 7 Plus

The Nokia 7 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM. The smartphone comes with 64GB of internal storage which is further expandable up to 256GB using a microSD card. The smartphone features a 6-inch Full HD+ IPS LCD display. The smartphone is currently priced at Rs. 25,999.

Moto X4

Moto X4 features a 5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD display. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor. The device packs in 3GB/4GB/6GB of RAM coupled with 32GB/64GB of onboard storage. The dual-SIM handset is available for a starting price of Rs. 22,999.

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