Sony has decided to permanently cut the prices of three of its smartphones in India
Sony to compete with growing competition in India has given its Xperia XZ Premium, XA1 Ultra and XA1 Plus smartphones a price cut. This might help the company in selling more devices and creating a stronghold in the Indian market. These new prices are effective from May 11 and are permanent price cuts rather than being temporary ones.
The company previously sold the Xperia XZ Premium at Rs. 59,990, which has now been priced at Rs. 49,990. The XA1 Ultra was previously priced at Rs. 27,990 and will now go for Rs. 22,990. Whereas the Xperia XA1 Plus which was earlier priced at Rs. 24,990 will now be sold at Rs. 19,990. All these price cuts are permanent and will not be rolled back after some time. However, if you ask me, I still think that the company is still overpricing its devices, and should have lowered the price a bit more. These prices will be valid all across India from today both on online and offline platforms.
Sony smartphones are well built and look stunning, however, the only downside they have is their pricing. The company has started to realise this and is either started to give their smartphones a price cut or give a few freebies with their smartphones. Now that the prices have started to look much more affordable the company's smartphones have become much more recommendable. However, the company still faces stiff competition in the market from other manufacturers that are able to provide much more at a lower price point.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8 features a dual-camera setup at the back
Samsung recently launched its latest flagship device, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+. Now its time to give massive discounts to users who are interested in buying any of the last year's flagship. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is now available for as low as Rs. 49,900.
The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is currently available at Rs. 59,900 at retail stores. PayTM is now offering a straight up discount of Rs. 10,000 to customers purchasing the Galaxy Note 8. The cashback offer by PayTM brings down the price of the smartphone to Rs. 49,900. To avail the offer, users simply need to walk into any retail store and purchase the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 making the payment via PayTM.
Is it worth spending Rs. 49,900 on the last year's Samsung Galaxy Note 8? Here are some great alternatives
OnePlus 6
OnePlus 6 will feature a notch up front (Source: The Verge)
We highly recommend you to wait for the OnePlus 6 to go on sale. The OnePlus 6 is expected to be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC. Under Rs. 50,000, you will be able to grab the OnePlus 6's top-end variant which is said to come with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage.
Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box
The Google Pixel 2 is currently available for Rs. 52,999 via Flipkart. The smartphone will be available at a discounted price of Rs. 34,999 in the Flipkart's Big Shopping day. This might mean that you will be able to grab the Google Pixel 2 XL under the bracket of Rs. 50,000. The Pixel 2 smartphones don't come with a dual-camera setup like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 but still have one of the best camera's available on any smartphone.
This article will help you gain more knowledge about cryptocurrencies
“Cryptocurrency” is no longer a buzzword limited to the world of tech and finance. It has become a global phenomenon and an everyday conversation! The crypto-craze is global - and India too, is enchanted by it! Millions of Indian citizens are now investing into cryptocurrencies. While cryptocurrencies are still a new concept in India, Indians have taken on to it quite enthusiastically.
The extent of crypto-craze in India can be observed in a recent report from Quartz, which indicated that 1 in every 10 Bitcoin transactions take place in India. At a time like this, it is essential to understand the heart and soul of crypto trade in India. But for those who are still confused about it, can check out this cryptocurrency guide. Once you are done with that, let us take a closer look at some of the top cryptocurrency exchanges, how the financial system in India views cryptocurrencies, as well as the government’s stance on cryptos in India.
Indian Cryptocurrency Exchanges
Unlike other nations such as Japan and the US, major and mainstream Indian companies are yet to set up cryptocurrency exchanges. However, this has given way to many startups such as Zebpay, Koinex and the upcoming WazirX platform among others. While India does have about a dozen cryptocurrency exchanges, Zebpay is usually considered the safest and the most popular platform. Koinex is a close second - and has been improving its services lately.
Using these domestic cryptocurrency exchanges, Indians can easily buy or sell cryptocurrencies using Indian Rupees. One of the best things about domestic cryptocurrency exchanges is that they directly allow you to buy INR/Crypto pairs instead of first having to convert your INR into USD, like in most international exchanges. However, Indian cryptocurrency exchanges will not allow anonymous users to register as users have to submit some KYC details such as PAN Card, Aadhaar Card and/or other valid government approved Identity proofs.
Unlike many exchanges based outside India, Indian cryptocurrency exchanges usually offer only a handful of cryptocurrency trading options. All the currencies listed on these exchanges, however, are trusted names and are extremely safe to trade with.
Cryptocurrencies and the Indian Financial System
While a number of cryptocurrency exchanges have started off in India, most Indian banks have been indifferent to them. Of late, there have been incidences of a number of Indian banks such as Citibank and HDFC bank no longer allowing cryptocurrency transactions using their credit cards, the overall attitude of banks and bankers seems to reek apathy. Cryptocurrencies are not a legal tender in India and no bank or financial institute in the country backs them. Unlike Japan and a few other nations, cryptocurrencies are not recognized by the Indian financial system.
Apart from the banks, another crucial aspect of the Indian financial system is that of the tax authorities. The Income Tax department of India has been cracking down on cryptocurrency exchanges and have been actively ensuring that they are registering no accounting fraud. The Income Tax authorities have also requested for a list of users from India’s top crypto exchanges where some high-value investors have been sent summons by the department.
The Indian Government’s Stance on Cryptocurrencies
Per the Indian government, cryptocurrencies continue to remain in a grey area. While the government realizes that there is a chance that these currencies may be used for tax evasions or for funding drugs and terror-related activities, the government also realizes that it is impractical to put a blanket ban on them. Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has been setting up committees for research on this field.
The Indian government is yet to come up with a robust tax structure or any sort of regulations on cryptocurrencies or ICOs. The government may be planning to regulate cryptos in the near future - but what we know for sure is that they are a fan of the blockchain technology that powers cryptocurrencies. India’s Visakhapatnam (Vizag) is all set to become the country’s blockchain hub. The Indian Prime Minister too, has commented on the blockchain technology, calling it a ‘disruptive technology’ which is all set to lead the world of tech into the future.
India is a giant not just in the global financial ecosystem but also a force to reckon with in the cryptocurrency economy!
Author bio: Prince Kapoor is Independent Marketing Analyst and Blogger. While not working, you can find him in the gym or giving random health advises to his colleagues which no one agrees on. If you too want some of his advice (on health or on marketing), reach out to him at @imprincekapur
The Honor 9 Lite will be available for as low as Rs. 9,999
Huawei's sub-brand Honor is all geared up to launch the Honor 10 globally. The smartphone will be unveiled on May 15. While the people are excited about the next smartphone, the company has announced a sale on its existing products.
During the Flipkart's Big Shopping Days you can grab the Honor 9 Lite for as low as Rs. 9,999 for the 3GB+32GB variant while the 4GB+64GB variant with a discount of Rs. 2000 in a bump-up exchange offer. The Honor 9i priced at Rs. 17,999 will get a discount of Rs. 1,000 and the Honor 8 Pro will be available for as low as 22,999.
For those on a budget can go in for the Honor Holly 3 3GB or 2GB which will be available at Rs. 6,999 and Rs. 5,999 respectively. Apart from all these discounts, buyers using an HDFC credit or debit card can get an instant 10 percent cash back.
In the Amazon Summer Sale, the Honor 7X 32GB variant will be available at Rs. 12,599 with a further Rs. 1000 bump-up exchange offer. Similarly, the 64GB variant of the Honor 7X will be available at Rs. 14,999 with a further Rs. 2000 bump-up exchange offer. ICICI credit card and debit card users can claim a 10 percent cash back on purchasing one of the above smartphones.
The Honor 10 will also be exclusively available via Flipkart starting May 16.
Speaking of the Honor 10, the smartphone is set to globally launch on May 15, 2018. The company has rolled out a new video giving us a clue on what the smartphone will look like and what will be its features. The video confirms that the smartphone will sport a dual-camera setup at the back. The video also confirms that the Honor 10 will come with some AI features built right into its chipset.
As far as the specifications are concerned, the Honor 10 is expected to feature a 5.84-inch display with a 19:9 aspect ratio as the device will sport a notch. The flagship smartphone is said to come with a HiSilicon Kirin 970 processor. There will be 4GB or 6GB of RAM and a 3,400mAh battery powering up everything.
Xiaomi Redmi S2 comes with a vertical camera setup at the back similar to the Redmi Note 5 Pro and Mi 6X
Xiaomi has finally unveiled the much-awaited Xiaomi Redmi S2 in China. The smartphone is another budget-oriented and selfie-centric smartphone from the company. The Xiaomi Redmi S2 starts at a price of CNY 999 (roughly Rs. 10,600) for the 3GB+32GB variant.
As far as the specifications are concerned, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 features a 5.99-inch display with a resolution of 720x1440 pixels. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 chipset. The device packs in 3GB or 4GB of RAM coupled with 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone runs on MIUI 9 based on Android Oreo out of the box. Under the hood, there is a 3,080mAh battery powering up the internals.
On the optics front, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 sports a 12MP+5MP dual-camera setup at the back. As this is a selfie-centric smartphone, it features a 16-megapixel selfie shooter up front.
However, the Xiaomi Redmi S2 is not yet launched in India and the company has not disclosed when or if it will be bringing it to India. So, here are some of the alternatives that you can buy in India right now.
Honor 9 Lite
Honor 9 Lite runs on EMUI 8.0 based on Android 8.0 Oreo
Honor 9 Lite is a great alternative to the Xiaomi Redmi S2 as they both give importance to selfies. The Honor 9 Lite features a 13MP+2MP dual-camera setup at the front as well as the back. The smartphone is powered by the HiSilicon Kirin 659 SoC. Honor 9 Lite starts at a price of Rs. 10,999 for the 3GB+32GB variant while the 4GB+64GB variant retails for Rs. 14,999.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 sports a 5-megapixel selfie shooter
If the selfies are not your priority, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is the perfect alternative to the Redmi S2. The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC. The smartphone features a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2160x1080 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The Redmi Note 5 starts at a price of Rs. 9,999 for the 3GB+32GB variant.
Intex Staari 10 features a fingerprint scanner at the back
India based tech giant, Intex has launched a new smartphone in the country. The Intex Staari 10 targets the audience looking for their first Android smartphone or a budget handset. The highlights of the smartphone include its selfie flash and some security software suite that come pre-installed.
As far as the specifications are concerned, the Intex Staari 10 features a 5.2-inch Shatterproof display with a resolution of 720x1280 pixels. The smartphone is powered by the entry-level MediaTek MT6737 SoC. The device packs in 3GB of RAM coupled with 32GB of onboard storage. The smartphone runs on Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box and comes with a 2800mAh battery under the hood.
In terms of cameras, the Intex Staari 10 sports a 13-megapixel camera at the back. Up front, there is a 5-megapixel selfie snapper with a selfie flash.
The Intex Staari 10 is launched at a price of Rs. 5,999 and will be exclusive via Snapdeal. The smartphone will be available in Black, Champagne and Blue colour variants.
However, we feel that Rs. 5,999 can get you a much better smartphone. So, here are some alternatives you can consider over the Intex Staari 10.
Xiaomi Redmi 5A
Xiaomi Redmi 5A is available in Blue, Dark Grey, Gold and Rose Gold colour variants
At Rs. 5,999, the Xiaomi Redmi 5A is a great alternative to the Intex Staari 10. Though the RAM and Storage offered by Redmi 5A are less, the smartphone does come with a much better processor. The Xiaomi Redmi 5A packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC and features a 5-inch IPS LCD display. Redmi 5A comes with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage while you can still upgrade to the 3GB+32GB variant by paying Rs. 1,000 extra.
10.or D
10.or D runs on a nearly stock Android 7.1.1 Nougat
If the 16GB storage sounds less to you and you just don't want to spend over Rs. 5,999, the 10.or D is a perfect alternative to the Intex Staari 10. The 10.or D is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC. The device packs in 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage at it is priced at Rs. 5,999.
Nokia 6 (2018) will be available in 4GB+64GB variant starting May 13
HMD Global introduced the Nokia 6 (2018) a couple of months ago. Though the 3GB+32GB variant of the smartphone is already available on Amazon India, the company is soon bringing the 4GB+64GB variant as well. Apart from the RAM and Storage, the other specifications of the smartphone will remain the same.
As far as the specifications are concerned, the Nokia 6.1 or Nokia 6 (2018) is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 chipset. The smartphone features a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. The smartphone runs on Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box and it is backed by a 3,000mAh battery.
On the optics front, the Nokia 6 (2018) sports a 16-megapixel camera at the back with a f/2.0 aperture and a LED flash. Up front, there is an 8-megapixel selfie shooter with the same f/2.0 aperture.
The price of the Nokia 6 (2018) 4GB+64GB variant has not been disclosed yet. However, considering the 3GB+32GB variant is priced at Rs. 16,885 on Amazon, we can expect the 64GB variant to be priced at around Rs. 18,000.
If you cannot wait for May 13 or just want better specifications with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, here are some great alternatives.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro features a dual-camera setup at the back
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro is one of the best mid-range smartphones available right now. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC and sports an 18:9 display up front. The 4GB+64GB variant of the smartphone is priced at Rs. 14,999 which is much lower than the price of Nokia 6 (2018)'s base variant.
Honor 9i
The Honor 9i is exclusively available via Flipkart
At Rs. 17,999 the Honor 9i is also a great alternative to the Nokia 6 (2018). The Honor 9i features a 5.9-inch Full HD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Kirin 659 Octa-Core chipset. The device sports dual-camera setup at the front as well as the back. It packs in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage and runs on Android Oreo.
Android P still hasn't got a name. What's your guess?
Google finally announced the official beta version of the Android P yesterday at Google I/O 2018. Android P Developer Preview has already been out for a while for the Google Pixel devices. Now the Beta version with more features is available for even more devices.
Apart from the Google Pixel users, even the Nokia, Xiaomi, OnePlus users among others will be able to enjoy the being in the beta program of the upcoming Android version. As this is a beta program, there will be plenty of bugs in the software. We highly recommend not to try installing the Beta software on your primary device. However, if you still decide to do it a full backup is highly recommended.
Android P Beta Program is now available for Nokia 7 Plus and other devices as well
Android P Beta: List of Supported Devices
Google Pixel/Pixel XL
Google Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL
Nokia 7 Plus
Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s
Vivo X21
Oppo R15 Pro
Essential PH‑1
Sony Xperia XZ2
OnePlus 6
Android P Beta: How to Install (Google Devices)
Head over to Android Beta's official website on your smartphone
Here you have to sign up for the Android P Beta program
Once signed up, you can simply go to Settings>About Phone>System Update in order to receive the latest OTA update.
Android P Beta: How to Install (Other Devices)
Sadly, for third-party manufacturer's devices, the installation is not as easy as Google Pixels.
Head over to Android Beta's official website on your PC
Enrol for the beta program by filling in the details
Download the flashable image and flash it to your smartphone
How to get back to your Stable Android?
You can simply go back to Android Beta's website and opt out of the Beta program. Once you opt out of the program, head over to System Update and you should be able to get back to the latest stable Android version available for your device.
Yahoo Squirrel is currently available only on an Invite basis
Yahoo has introduced its own new instant messaging application in order to compete against Facebook's WhatsApp. The Squirrel app from Yahoo is just like most messaging applications which allow personal 1-to-1 chats as well as allows you to create a group and have a group chat.
Yahoo Squirrel offers organized chats and allows users to create different room and they can even make them private. Users can also create customised one-tap reactions for jokes or other messages. In group chats, Squirrel brings in a feature called blasts where the important messages will be pinned so that everyone reads it.
Currently, the Yahoo Squirrel app is available only on invite basis where a user has to invite in order to allow you to download and install the application. So, you cannot just head over to Google Play Store and download the app and start using it. Invite system seems annoying? Here are some alternatives to the Yahoo Squirrel app.
WhatsApp Messenger
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging application
WhatsApp is currently the most popular messaging application. WhatsApp offers all basic features like personal chats, group chats and even voice and video calls. The application is widely used across the world.
Hike also offers a new Wallet features that let you make payments within the app
Hike Messenger is an application that was made in India and it is a great alternative to WhatsApp. While WhatsApp is limited when it comes to features, Hike Messenger brings a lot of features to the table like Sticker support and much more. Interestingly, Hike also allows you to create a group with as many as 1000 members. Speaking of groups, Hike users can also split bills in a group.
Google I/O is one of the most awaited events in the tech community. The event goes on for three days but the main thing is the opening-day keynote where Google reveals the most important set of announcements. The presentation will be led by the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai.
How to watch the live stream?
The Google I/O 2018 Keynote is set to kick off today, May 8 at 10:00 AM PT which converts to 10:30 PM in IST. Sadly, not everyone can make their way to California. So, Google will be live streaming the event so that the fans can know whats coming up. If you are interested in watching the event you head over to Google I/O's website to watch the event,
What to Expect?
Android P
One of the biggest and much-anticipated announcements at the Google I/O 2018 will be the Android P. The Android P will be an upgrade over the last year's Android Oreo software and will bring in a lot of new features and changes. Google has already released the developer preview of the Android P. However, soon after today's event, Google will start rolling out stable updates for the Pixel devices.
With the new Android P update, Google will bring in changes to the UI and will bring native notch support. Further, the new software will make interacting with notifications better. Also, there will be improvements to the battery life and performance.
Google Lens
Google Lens was introduced by the company last year which is used to bring up relevant information using visual analysis. This year, Google will be updating the Google Lens to Google Lens 2.0 and bring some improvements.
Apart from Android P and Google Lens 2.0, Google has a lot more to announce today at the Google I/O 2018.
