OnePlus 6 starts receiving OxygenOS 5.1.6 OTA update: Here's what you need to know

By

-

June 11, 2018

OnePlus 6 also has a limited edition Silk White variant on sale

OnePlus recently launched their latest flagship offering, the OnePlus 6. The company has already started to hear out its customers and has rolled out the OxygenOS 5.1.6 update in order to bring back some missing features, introduce new features and optimise the whole software experience.

The changelog of the new OxygenOS 5.1.6 update for the OnePlus 6 includes portrait mode for the front camera and preview for the Light Bokeh effect in Portrait Mode of the rear camera. The update also enables VoLTE on Idea Cellular in India, fixes issues with dual-sim card stability and optimises the call quality. The smartphone now also has a dual-4G option under the SIM and Network settings.

As the OnePlus 6 comes with a notch, there was no option in the settings to enable battery percentage in the status bar. OnePlus heard what the community had to say and has now finally given an option to enable battery percentage. With the OxygenOS 5.1.6, the company has also improved the sound quality of the OnePlus 6.

The Do Not Disturb (DND) mode now has an option for scheduling. The smartphone now also has smart answer for Bluetooth where incoming calls will automatically be answered when connected to Bluetooth devices. Lastly, the power consumption on the OnePlus 6 has been optimised to deliver better battery life and overall system stability has been improved.

Also Read: OnePlus 3/3T gets Face Unlock in the latest public update: Here is how to get it

The OxygenOS 5.1.6 update for the OnePlus weighs in at around 220MB and users will start receiving the update soon. The users can download and install the latest update by clicking on the OTA notification. To manually check for updates, you can head over to Settings>System Updates and then tap on Check For Updates.

Airtel now offers 2GB data per day with the Rs. 149 recharge plan: Report

By

Tech Desk

-

June 11, 2018

airtel, airtel plan, airtel Rs 149 plan, airtel prepaid, Airtel 2GB daily — Airtel has revised its Rs. 149 prepaid plan; here are all of its details.

Airtel in a bold move to retain its existing customers and to gain more new customers is now offering much more benefits with its Rs. 149 prepaid recharge plan. The recharge plan will now include 2GB of 4G data per day instead of 1GB. This change was first spotted and reported by TelecomTalk, in the report they further mentioned that the pack will not be available across India and will only be offered to a handful of circles.

This new plan will cost users Rs. 149 for 2GB of daily 4G data along with unlimited calls and 100 SMSes per day and will come with a validity of 28 days. Earlier under the Rs. 149 plan Airtel used to offer 1GB of daily 4G data, unlimited calls and 100SMSes per day.

To compare, Bharti Airtel's Rs. 149 plan is in direct competition with Reliance Jio's Rs. 149 plan. Reliance Jio under its Rs. 149 plan for its prepaid users offers 1.5GB of daily 4G data along with 100 SMSes per day, unlimited calls, and access to all of Reliance Jio's paid apps for free.

Also Read: Airtel’s new Rs. 129 prepaid plan sounds interesting: Here’s what you need to know

If you aren't satisfied with the validity of the Rs 149 plan from Airtel but like the benefits and are willing to pay a more. You can opt to go in for the recently revised Rs. 399 prepaid plan which comes with 2.4GB of daily 4G data along with 100 SMSes daily, unlimited calls and free national roaming with a validity of 84 days.

Yahoo to shutter its messenger on June 17: Here's what you need to know

By

Brahmjot Singh

-

June 9, 2018

Yahoo Messenger was one of the most popular application back in its days

Yahoo's one of the most popular application, the Messenger is now shutting down. Yahoo Messenger is an instant messaging app by Yahoo which was popular back in the days when it was launched. Instant messaging is currently being dominated by WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger which forced Yahoo to take this decision after around 20 years of running the application.

Yahoo Messenger will officially stop working from July 17, 2018. This also means that users will not be able to access the chats made previously using the application. However, if you have some memories in the application, you can take a local backup of your chats. You can head over to Yahoo Messenger, request for a backup, verify the account and you will receive the chats via email.

In case you are wondering what will happen to your Yahoo ID, there is nothing to worry as you can continue using all other services like Yahoo Mail, News, Finance and more. The Messenger users will now be redirected to the recently launched Squirrel app. However, the Squirrel app is currently available only on invite bases and will be soon made available to the masses.

Also Read: Yahoo introduces Squirrel chat app: Here are some alternatives

Yahoo Pager was released back in 1998 on March 8 which was later named Yahoo Messenger. The application later got competitors like Google Talk and MSN Messenger. Yahoo Messenger's older version got shut down in 2016 as a new version was introduced a year before that. Currently, the instant messaging apps are dominated by WhatsApp Messenger, Facebook Messenger and even Hike Messenger.

Here's a list of all the Apple iPhones and iPads that will get updated to iOS 12

By

Devesh Arora

-

June 9, 2018

Even the iPhone 5S will get the iOS 12 update

Apple recently unveiled their next iOS version, the iOS 12 at the WWDC 2018 event. iOS 12 is an upgrade over the iOS11 and it brings a number of changes as well as improvements to the operating system.

Not all Apple devices will be lucky enough to get this new update. Here's a list of iOS devices that will get the latest iOS 12 update.

iPhones

iPhone X
iPhone 8
iPhone 8 Plus
iPhone 7
iPhone 7 Plus
iPhone 6s
iPhone 6s Plus
iPhone 6
iPhone 6 Plus
iPhone SE
iPhone 5S

iPads

iPad Pro (12.9-inch)
iPad Pro (10.5-inch)
iPad Pro (9.7-inch)
iPad (5th Gen)
iPad Air 2
iPad Air
iPad Mini 4
iPad Mini 3
iPad Mini 2

It is surprising to see that a 5-year old device like iPhone 5S to get the latest update. Most Android flagships get 2 or at the most 3 major updates. iPhone 5S was launched with iOS 7 and has seen 5 major updates since then (including the iOS 12). However, this is the last major update for the smartphone. Even iPads including iPad Mini 2 and iPad Air might not receive any major update after this one.

Also Read: WhatsApp for iOS can now play Facebook and Instagram videos within the app

Currently, the iOS 12 is available under Apple's Beta program and is currently being tested and refined by the developers. Users who have registered themselves under the Apple iOS Developer Program can download and install the iOS 12 Beta right now. However, we highly recommend you to not install the Beta firmware on your primary smartphone. It is better to wait for the stable version as Beta versions have a lot of bugs.

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

By

Tech Desk

-

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

-

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

-

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

-

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

-

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

-

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.

Beetel BiteTech News, Reviews, PC Mobile Phones, Tablets and more

iPhones

iPads

Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star Specifications

Samsung Galaxy A9 Star Lite Specifications

OnePlus 6

Nokia 7 Plus

Vivo V9

BlackBerry KEY2 Specifications

OnePlus 6

BlackBerry KEYOne

Samsung Galaxy S8

Specifications

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1

Honor 9 Lite

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5