The controller will aid the Project Stream-based platform.
Internet giant, Google is in process of developing a controller for its chromecast-powered game streaming device which has been in rumours for a long time. The news comes from the company filing a patent for the same.
The Verge reports "The patent itself is for a notification system for the controller that notifies a player when a game is now available, that a user has received an invitation, a status chance on a leaderboard, or a chat request from another player."
The document for the patent contains multiple design illustrations. These illustrations show a dual-joystick setup, as well as shoulder, trigger, and gameplay buttons. All of these can be a part of Google's controller which they will release with their game streaming platform. The illustration also shows something that appears to be a microphone button. This means that the controller can have google assistant built into it. However, it is just a patent filing and there are high chances that none of this is included in the final product or even the product is released.
Google's Game Developers Conference (GDC) which will be held later this month in the city of San Francisco, the company will host the much-talked mysterious event. They could unveil their latest chromecast-powered game streaming platform there. It seems that the service will be like "Netflix for games". The product will be most probably based on the Project stream technology google showed off last year.
"Project Stream" is a video game streaming service which was hosted in the company's servers for beta testing which coincidently ended back in February a month before the final reveal. The company is planning to defeat the likes of Epic store and steam with its Project Stream platform.
WhatsApp is the most famous internet messaging platform ever.
WhatsApp was always against the unofficial versions of the app that have been luring users by their added functionality such as themes and more. The company has now started taking action against those users. WhatsApp will impose a temporary ban on users using the unofficial versions of the app. Users can get unbanned and recover their chat history if they switch back to the official version.
Third party clients of the popular social messaging platform have gone so much viral due to the face that they offer many additional features that the users desire to have but the company hasn't implemented them yet in their platform. The company, however, is not slow and rolling out many new features, such as group invitation restrictions, easier file sharing, and advanced message search features slowly.
The reason Facebook-owned organization gave is that the while the third party services and applications give more control to the users, they also compromise on security and privacy which is a big issue for the Facebook group these days. Many of these third-party services have also pretended to be the real developer to take on the apps store in pursuit of stealing data of millions of users.
WhatsApp, hence as a precaution to protect their users and stop data leaks is showing a message that the user is temporarily banned and needs to install the official version of the WhatsApp to continue using their services again. However, the biggest doubt still remains. We are not sure that the company will restore their chat history or they will need to start with a cheap slate. Either way, to protect your data and prevent it from getting leaked, the best option is to uninstall any third party versions and revert back to the official version of WhatsApp provided free of cost by the developer themselves.
OnePlus 6T might be a part of Android Q Beta program
Android 9.0 Pie was released last year and before it was made available to the general public, it was available in a Beta program. The update was not only available for the Pixel devices but also for phones like Essential PH-1, Nokia 7 Plus, OnePlus 6, Oppo R15 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ2, Vivo X21 and the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S. With the Android Q, Google is planning to bring more OEMs on board.
Google I/O is just around the corner, and we are about to see a developer preview of the Android Q operating system very soon. The developer preview will be exclusively available for the Pixel devices including Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Soon after Google I/O gets over, the Beta program will be initiated and be made available for dozens of smartphones.
During the introduction of Android 9.0 Pie, Google collaborated with OEMs like Essential, Nokia, OnePlus, Oppo, Sony, Vivo and Xiaomi. Now, with the upcoming Android Q, Google is planning to incorporate even more OEMs in order to include more devices for the Beta program. The details were revealed by Android Developer Mr. Illiyan Malchev in the Android Developers Backstage podcast.
However, Malchev did not share any specific details on how many more OEMs are coming on board or, which of the phones will be added. While companies like Nokia, OnePlus, Oppo and Xiaomi will remain on board, Google might bring phones from Samsung and Huawei as well.
Xiaomi has started rolling out a new update for Poco F1. While the users have been asking for a few features like 4K video recording at 60fps, Widewine L1 support, the new update changelog does not mention any of them. Here's everything you need to know about Xiaomi's latest MIUI 10.2.3.0 update.
The new stable update comes with the MIUI version 10.2.3.0 and weighs in at around 560MB. The changelog only mentions the Android security patch update, which is now updated to February 2019. Unfortunately, the changelog does not mention anything about 4K video recording at 60fps or Widewine L1 certification.
Poco F1 users are promised a couple of features including 4K video recording at 60fps or Widewine L1 certification, which have already arrived in the software's beta version. However, the latest stable update does not bring any of these. Notably, the Widewine certification available on the beta version can only be used to stream HD content on Amazon Prime Video and not on Netflix for now.
PocoPhone Global chief announced that the 4K video recording at 60fps support will arrive sometime in late March with an MIUI 10 update.
Poco F1 users should receive a notification once the update is available for their device. However, one can always check for updates manually by heading over to the Update Center.
Poco F1 Specifications
Poco F1 features a 6.18-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 2246x1080 pixels. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. The device runs on MIUI 10 based on Google's Android 9.0 Pie operating system. All of this is backed by a 4,000mAh battery.
On the optics front, the Poco F1 sports a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 12-megapixel primary sensor and a 5-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, there is a 20-megapixel selfie shooter.
OnePlus 7 is expected to come with a pop-up selfie camera
OnePlus is now gearing up to launch their next flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 7. As the launch is coming closer, we are witnessing more leaks and rumours about the device. Recently, a Chinese retailer listed the smartphone online giving us hints on the specifications and the price. Here's everything we know about the upcoming smartphone so far.
According to a recent report, the OnePlus 7 will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor. It will feature a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2316x1080 pixels. The dual-SIM handset will pack in up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. It will run on OxygenOS 9 based on Google's Android 9.0 Pie operating system. All of this will be backed by a 4,000mAh battery, which will support the company's latest Warp Charge technology.
Source: Giztop
On the optics front, the OnePlus 7 will come with a triple camera setup at the back consisting of a 48-megapixel primary camera, a 20-megapixel sensor and a 5-megapixel sensor. Up front, there will be a 16-megapixel pop-up camera just like we saw on the recently launched Oppo F11 Pro.
OnePlus 7 will feature a glass sandwich design and a vertical camera set up at the back. However, the glass back does not mean that the phone will get wireless charging. Just like the OnePlus 6T, the new smartphone will also lack a headphone jack.
As far as the pricing is concerned, the OnePlus 7 is expected to be launched at a starting price of USD 569, which roughly converts to Rs. 40,000.
With new processors coming in, even the mid-range phones are able to play PUBG Mobile on high setting
PUBG Mobile has become one of the most popular mobile games. Not every smartphone is able to offer the best in-game experience. While any of the flagship devices can easily run the game with high graphics, here are some of the mid-range phones that will not disappoint.
Redmi Note 7 Pro
Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro comes with a 48-megapixel camera
Xiaomi has recently launched its two new smartphones in India, the Redmi Note 7 and Redmi Note 7 Pro. Both the smartphones are quite capable, but we would recommend the latter for a better overall experience. Redmi Note 7 Pro comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 chipset and it is available at a starting price of Rs. 13,999.
Poco F1
Currently, Poco F1 is one of the best value for money smartphones
While it is not a true flagship smartphone, the Poco F1 does come with a flagship chip inside. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 powered smartphone can run almost any game thrown at it. The dual-SIM handset packs in up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage, which is just an icing on the cake. Additionally, the phone also has a liquid cooling system, which will keep it cool even during long PUBG Mobile matches. Poco F1 is currently available at a starting price of Rs. 19,999.
Honor Play
Honor Play comes with flagship grade hardware at a relatively lower price.
Just like the Poco F1, the Honor Play also offers flagship grade specifications at a relatively lower price point. The smartphone comes with the company's own Kirin 970 processor coupled with 6GB of RAM. The combination is good enough to run almost any game on high graphic settings. Honor Play is up for grabs at a starting price of Rs. 16,999.
Samsung Galaxy A50 comes with an in-display fingerprint scanner
While mid-range Samsung phones have been difficult to recommend in the past, with the new Galaxy M-series and A-series, Samsung is changing that. At a starting price of Rs. 19,990, the Samsung Galaxy A50 brings in the latest Exynos 9610 octa-core chipset coupled with up to 6GB of RAM. The phone manages to run PUBG Mobile on high settings without any lag or hiccups.
Asus ZenFone 5Z
Asus ZenFone 5Z sports a notch up front
Asus ZenFone 5Z is a flagship smartphone that does not ask for flagship money. The smartphone is currently available at a starting price of Rs. 24,999, which makes it a killer deal. It comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor paired with up to 8GB of RAM. It also brings in a premium design on board.
Sony's PS4 Remote Play app is now available for iOS devices
With the PlayStation 4, Sony released a feature, which iOS users have been craving for years now. After being on Windows and Android platforms for a while now, the PS4 Remote Play app is finally hitting Apple's App Store allowing iPhone and iPad users to experience the application. With the help of this app, iOS users will be able to use an iPad or iPhone to display PS4 content over Wi-Fi.
If you have only one controller and still want to play with a friend, the Remote Play feature can convert your smartphone or tablet into a controller. Interestingly, Sony has also enabled voice chat support for some of the popular games. Additionally, users will be able to type on search bars and different areas using the keyboard on the iPhone or iPad, which is a huge plus as typing from the controller can be quite annoying at times.
According to Apple's App Store, the PS4 Remote Play app will run on any iOS device running on iOS version 12.1 or later. This means that anything above iPhone 5S should work perfectly fine. However, Sony recommends using an iPhone 7 or later, 6th-generation iPad or later, or a 2nd-generation iPad Pro or later for best results. Notably, the app will work only when the PS4 and the iOS device are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
Third party apps like R-Play made the feature available to iOS devices long back. However, they used to charge a premium of around USD 12 (roughly Rs. 840). Sony, on the other hand, offers the feature for free.
While 2018 was all about notches and bezel-less displays, 2019 is going to be about punch hole cameras, 5G and more. Companies like Xiaomi, LG and Samsung have already showcased their 5G enabled smartphones and they will soon be made available in select markets. So, here are the top 5 upcoming smartphones with 5G support.
Huawei P30 Pro
Huawei is all set to launch its next flagship smartphone, the Huawei P30 Pro. The company is hosting an event on March 26 in Paris to unveil the smartphone. It is most likely to come with the Kirin 980 processor coupled with the Bailong 5000 5G radio chip, the same combination as we saw on the Huawei Mate X at the MWC 2019.
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
Samsung Galaxy S10 5G comes with a quad camera setup at the back.
At the recent Samsung Unpacked event, Samsung launched a couple of new smartphones, one of which was the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. While the smartphone looks quite identical to the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, it does carry a few changes under the hood. The smartphone comes with the latest Exynos 9820 processor. It will soon be made available in select markets.
OnePlus 5G
OnePlus 5G will look quite similar to the OnePlus 6T.
While OnePlus is about to launch the OnePlus 7, the company will launch a 5G smartphone separately for select markets. The 5G enabled smartphone will come with Qualcomm's latest flagship Snapdragon 855 processor. Rest of the specifications are expected to remain more or less the same.
LG V50 ThinQ gets a Dual Screen Attachable Display case
LG launched the LG V50 ThinQ at the MWC 2019 event. The new smartphone comes with a 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3120x1440 pixels. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor coupled with 6GB of RAM. The device will soon be made available to more countries.
Xiaomi Mi Mix 3
The Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi launched its first 5G smartphone at the MWC 2019, the Mi Mix 3 5G. As the name suggests, the smartphone is pretty similar to the Mi Mix 3, except the fact that it comes with an updated chipset and 5G radio chip inside. The handset sports up to 10GB of RAM and runs on Android 9 Pie.
Applications are bread and butter of a modern era smartphone
Smartphones and applications on our smartphones have developed so much in the modern era, that apps like Facebook and Snapchat are only the basic of things you can do. In the modern era, for women who work as well as manage their home and families, there are apps like birth controlling and budgeting and much more. Here are some of the apps we think are essential for any women.
Shop Savvy (iOS, Android)
ShopSavvy is an application that lets to do your shopping a bit smarter. It has a built-in barcode scanner and an SKU finder that helps to scan any product's barcode and get all the details you will ever need for that product. It will also compare its price from its database of places to get you the best deal. You can also add it to your watchlist and it will alert you when the item goes on a sale.
myPill (iOS, Android)
myPill is a little personal application, but it can be a lifesaver for some. If you forget to take your pills on time you can end up with a big unexpected surprise. This app can remind you to take your pills on time. It can also track your cycle and inform you to buy pills and other products.
Mint (iOS, Android, Windows)
Mint is the perfect expense management app
Mint is one of the best budgeting application in the market. You can link your bank account to it, so it automatically adds all the expenses you have made. It can also categorize expenses based on travel, entertainment, food and etc.
If you travel, then Google Translate is a must-have program for your smartphone. It holds more than 70 languages and you can download them so you don't need an active internet connection. You can use it t translate any supported language to another supported language. It is not quite perfect, but is a very handy application and saves the hassle of a translation book.
7-Minute Workout Challenge (iOS, Android)
Most of us never hit the gym due to the sheer shortage of time we have in our daily life. 7-minute workout challenge is an application that provides workouts that lasts typically 7 minutes. You can do those anywhere whenever you find just 7 minutes of time. The applications also provide photos and videos so you can ensure you are not doing it wrong.
Wunderlist (iOS, Android, Windows)
It is the perfect productivity assistant
Wunderlist is the perfect tool for every busy person, may it be a man or a woman. It helps you create a list of tasks, break it into subtasks and add a list of things to every subtask. What's more that you can assign the tasks to other persons and track their progress in a shared workspace.
Uber lets you call taxies anywhere you want on demand. It will come and pick you up at your location and it will drop you off at the specified location. It calculates the bill based on the distance and time taken. You can also link your bank accounts to make automatic payments for the trip so you don't have to fiddle around with the cash.
CamCard (iOS, Android, Windows)
If you are a businessperson, then you know the struggles of handling multiples business cards. You often lose them and later regret that and entering information onto your phone then and there only is a tedious task. Camcard lets you quickly scan and organize your business cards digitally.
Circle of 6 (iOS, Android)
Best app for making you feel safe
Circle of 6 acts as an SOS application. With only two taps the application will automatically send a message to your six chosen friends or family. It will also tell them you need help. You can use the application for a less drastic situation like getting out of a bad date.
The companion app lets your friends and family virtually walk to your destination making sure you reach your destination safely. You enter your destination, and it will track your progress. If you start doing erratic tasks like start running, drop your phone, or don't make it to your destination on time, your virtual friends will message you whether you are okay or not. If you don't reply within 15 minutes it will alert the police.
Since the past few years, Samsung has been developing an app called Good Lock. The application allows the Samsung Galaxy user to take the customisation to a whole new level without needing to root the device. With Android 9 Pie and One UI coming on board, Samsung had to release an update to the Good Lock app.
The South Korean giant has finally released Good Lock 2019, which supports Android 9 Pie based One UI. With the updated version, the new application also brings a couple of new features. However, the core features of Good Lock still include Quickstar, Lockstar, Task Changer, Routines, Clockface, Edge Touch, Edge Lighting and others. The development team claims that the update also brings some improvements for these features.
While the Task Changer brings new styles for recent apps, MultiStar enables some of the Multi Window functionality that was eliminated from Pie due to a Google policy.
Samsung has still not removed the geographical restrictions for Good Lock. The app is only available to users living in the United States, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and the United Kingdom. While the list does not include India, the app is available in the country and users can get it right away.
Head over to Galaxy Apps on your Samsung smartphone
Search for Good Lock 2019
Hit Install
Do note that Good Lock 2019 is currently available only for Samsung Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy Note 9 devices running on Android 9.0 Pie.
