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Category: Electronics

Retail News Asia is committed to providing both local and global retailers with the latest Electronics news throughout the Asian market. This on a daily base.

  • Huawei barred from using SD memory cards

    Huawei barred from using SD memory cards

    Although Huawei has been given a reprieve from the initial punishment imposed by the United States, it looks like the Chinese company is close to losing its smartphone business, as more US companies announce they unwillingness to continue to work with the world’s number two smartphone vendor.

    The SD Association is the latest company that bars Huawei access to its technology. Apparently, the Chinese company has been removed from the trade group as SD Association must comply with orders from the US Department of Commerce.

    Although customers who own Huawei smartphones can continue to buy SD and microSD cards to use in their devices, future Huawei phones will no longer work with the standard. It’s unclear what will happen, but Huawei has already included proprietary storage cards in some of its latest flagships, which are called Nano Memory Cards.

    Probably not as important as being banned from getting Android OS updates or chipsets from Intel, Qualcomm and AMD, SD Association’s move adds to the major issues that Huawei’s smartphone business is going to have in the coming months.

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  • Apple iOS 12.3.1 update released to fix iMessage and VoLTE issues

    Apple iOS 12.3.1 update released to fix iMessage and VoLTE issues

    Apple has just released another iOS update, which addresses a couple of issues that many iPhone users have complained of lately. If you’re rocking an iPhone as your daily driver, you should be able to see a notification on your device letting you know that you can download iOS 12.3.1, the latest firmware software released by Apple.

    As far as the contents of the update go, Apple says that iOS 12.3.1, which was released just two weeks after iOS 12.3, addresses an issue that could prevent iPhone users from making or receiving VoLTE (voice over LTE) calls.

    Also, the update fixes many of the problems in the Messages app, including those that could cause messages from unknown senders to pop up in one’s conversation list even though the Filter Unknown Senders option is enabled.

    Another Messages fix should solve another bug with Messages, which could prevent the Report Junk link from appearing in the app’s threads from unknown senders.

    In other news, Apple is gearing up for the next major iOS 13 updates. Keep in mind though that Apple hasn’t yet confirmed anything about iOS 13, so take it with a tint of salt until the update is announced.

  • Samsung Galaxy S10 update adds Night mode improvements

    Samsung Galaxy S10 update adds Night mode improvements

    Samsung continues to improve the Galaxy S10 family with important new features and additional functionality. The upcoming update focuses on camera enhancements by adding a couple of nifty new features, as well as improvements to the phones’ performance when taking night shots.

    As the title says, it appears that the Galaxy S10’s decent Night mode has just been upgraded to very good. According to SamMobile, the May security update improves the Night mode by allowing users to take much cleaner pictures in low-light conditions.

    The differences are quite important as the update reduces noise that sometimes appears in night pictures. Moreover, Galaxy S10 users will now be able to use the Night mode with the ultra-wide camera, and even though noise still pops up in pictures taken with it, they are brighter and more detailed.

    Another important improvement is the fact that you can take Live Focus photos with the telephoto lens, something that was only possible with the Galaxy S10 5G. The new addition will allow users to take bokeh pictures of large objects much easier.

    Now, the update is currently being deployed in Switzerland as May 2019 security patch, but all three Galaxy S10 units should receive it worldwide in the coming days. We don’t have a release date for the United States, so you’ll just have to hope it will be rolled out sooner rather than later.

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  • Qualcomm and Intel comply with the White House ban

    Qualcomm and Intel comply with the White House ban

    As if the maker of the world’s most popular mobile operating system cutting you off wasn’t unpleasant enough for Huawei, US chip makers will also be forced to do so, or risk the wrath of the current White House administration.

    Qualcomm, the maker of all things Snapdragon and 4G/5G modems, as well as Broadcom, a supplier of Wi-fi and other connectivity chips, will also have to deal with the administration’s thinly veiled restrictions for doing business with precisely Huawei.

    Intel is in the mix, too, just when Huawei laptops started getting glowing tech reviews for their design, battery longevity, and value-for-money configurations. Infineon, the German modem maker that Intel bought in 2011, has also received marching orders to cut supply to Huawei effective immediately.

    Needless to say, Huawei makes its own mobile processors and has a 5G connectivity modem already in retail devices, so it wouldn’t be as worried about US chip makers shunning its business. Moreover, it has apparently anticipated the chip ban and stockpiled a three-month supply, but Google’s move is potentially much more devastating as it will be hard to find a replacement.

    Not of the Android system per se, as Huawei has been working on an alternative for a while now, but for the apps it launches. On the plus side, excellent phones like the P30 Pro may become much cheaper now. Morbid humor, but Google isn’t cutting Huawei off completely until Android Q rolls in. That is a few short months from now, though, so it will be interesting to follow China’s reaction to this hostile US attitude and Huawei’s ban as collateral damage in the larger trade war between the two nations.

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  • Sony launches cheaper noise-canceling wireless headphones

    Sony launches cheaper noise-canceling wireless headphones

    If you’re in the market for a pair of premium noise-canceling headphones, there aren’t a lot of options in the $300-$350 price range. Two companies have distinguished themselves for bringing top-notch products to audiophiles: Bose and Sony.

    Still, if you can’t afford to pay for a pair of Sony WH-1000XM3 or Bose QuietComfort 35 Series II, a new pair of noise-canceling headphones will be available for purchase for a much lower price.

    Sony’s WH-XB900N offer a more accessible alternative for those who need noise-canceling technology. They cost just $250 and offer similar features as the company’s premium 1000XM3 headphones, plus extra bass (hence the XB model name).

    Design-wise, they feature a foldable design and touch panel controls on the headphone housing. Of course, Sony’s WH-XB900N Extra Bass wireless headphones include a built-in microphone for use with Google Assistant. They also pack NFC (Near Field Communication) and Bluetooth connectivity.

    As far as battery life goes, Sony claims its new headphones should offer up to 30 hours of playback time on a single charge. Also, a charge of around 4 hours will keep the headphones powered all day, which is quite impressive.

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  • Huawei finally has had enough of U.S. bullying

    Huawei finally has had enough of U.S. bullying

    The Trump administration gave Huawei a temporary license allowing it to source parts and components from U.S. firms for three months. Just last Thursday, the company and 68 of its affiliates were placed on the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity list. Companies on the list are prevented from sourcing U.S. components and parts without a license issued by the U.S. government. The 90-day reprieve will allow the company to buy supplies from U.S. firms that are “necessary to maintain and support existing and currently fully operational networks and equipment, including software updates and patches.” Google today followed suit, promising to send Android updates to the manufacturer through August 19th.
    Huawei is not exactly jumping up and down over its short-term reprieve. The company said today that it was victimized by U.S. “bullying.” Being placed on the Entity List followed years of accusations from U.S. lawmakers concerned that Huawei was spying, or could be forced to spy on American consumers and corporations on behalf of the communist Chinese government. Amid fears that Huawei devices and networking equipment contain a backdoor that can send intelligence to Beijing, Huawei was declared a threat to U.S. national security as far back as 2012. Over the last year, as global mobile carriers started building out their 5G networks, the Trump administration has continually warned allies not to use the firm’s networking gear. This recommendation has been heeded by Australia, Japan, and New Zealand.
    Last week, Huawei chairman Liang Hua visited the U.K.; regulators in the country are deciding whether to allow the company’s 5G networking equipment to be used there. Liang told the media that Huawei would sign a “no-spy” contract with any country.
    The battle between the U.S. and Huawei escalated earlier this year when the U.S. Department of Justice slapped the company with a 13 count indictment. Huawei, two affiliates (Huawei Device USA and Skycom Tech) and CFO Meng Wanzhou were charged with committing various bank-related crimes. The U.S. said that the company tried to cover up business it did with Iran, violating international economic sanctions placed on the country. At the same time, the U.S. charged the manufacturer with stealing trade secrets from T-Mobile. Huawei was already found guilty in a civil court of stealing parts from the carrier’s Tappy robot used to test smartphones and was ordered to pay T-Mobile nearly $5 million dollars.
    Huawei shipped over 200 million handsets last year and was the second largest smartphone manufacturer in the world during the first quarter of this year. The company hoped to take over the top spot from Samsung next year, but obviously, that is now in question depending on what happens following the three-month reprieve. While Huawei is expected to roll out its own operating system this fall with native support for all Android apps, the company’s Google Play Store replacement won’t include popular American based apps such as YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The question isn’t whether these replacements will go over in China, but whether they will satisfy users outside of Huawei’s home market where it sells 49% of its phones (according to Q1 stats).
    And while Huawei is confident in its ability to replace U.S. hardware, software, and components that it might no longer have access to in 90-days, it still has to replace $11 billion in parts purchased from U.S. companies last year such as Qualcomm, Intel and Micron Technologies. Yes, Huawei designs its own chips, but it uses software from U.S. companies to do this. Chip experts say that Huawei is still a few years away from being totally self-reliant in this area.
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  • Asus delivers Android 9.0 Pie to another ZenFone smartphone

    Asus delivers Android 9.0 Pie to another ZenFone smartphone

    Asus promised a few months ago that it will update some of its ZenFone smartphones to Android 9.0 Pie, but only partially delivered. Today is the day that another part of the promise is fulfilled, as the ZenFone Max M2 is now receiving the long-awaited Android 9.0 Pie update.

    Initially slated for an April 15 rollout, the Asus ZenFone Max M2 Android 9.0 Pie update is now being deployed in the United States. If you own the budget-friendly smartphone, you can head Settings / System / System updates and check if there’s a new firmware available.

    Besides all the changes that Android 9.0 Pie brings, the update adds the May security patch and a new version of the Google Mobile Services (GMS). As Asus points out, the servers are pushing the update in batches, so it may take some days for everyone to receive it.

    Asus announced two months ago that two other ZenFone smartphones aside from the ZenFone Max M2 will receive Android 9.0 Pie updates by mid-April: ZenFone Max Pro M1 and ZenFone Max Pro M2.

    As a matter of fact, the majority of ZenFone 4 and ZenFone 5 smartphones are expected to receive Android 9.0 Pie updates this. Of course, the ROG Phone will get the software upgrade as well, we just don’t know when.

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  • B&O’s refreshed Beoplay H9 headphones come with Killer Features

    B&O’s refreshed Beoplay H9 headphones come with Killer Features

    After (narrowly) beating Apple to the punch with super-expensive “truly wireless” earbuds supporting wireless charging functionality, Bang & Olufsen is shifting its attention to the premium Beoplay line of wireless over-ear headphones to release a refreshed H9 model. This is already available in the US at the same price as its H9i predecessor, bringing a couple of important upgrades to the table.

    First, there’s a new dedicated button allowing B&O Beoplay H9 users to summon Google Assistant and get it to do stuff by voice commands. The built-in digital assistant does not replace touch controls altogether, though, so you can still use gestures directly on the ear cups to seamlessly navigate your listening experience.
    The other major improvement comes in the battery life department, where the Beoplay H9 headphones are making a pretty ambitious promise. Namely, you should be able to squeeze up to a whopping 25 hours of uninterrupted play time from these bad boys, compared to the “modest” 18-hour maximum endurance advertised for the H9i. What’s impressive is that Bang & Olufsen has somehow managed to make this leap while retaining the exact dimensions and weight of the H9i.
    Speaking of things retained, the Beoplay H9 features the same old (and great) active noise cancellation technology, “expertly tuned” acoustics performance, and Transparency Mode functionality for when you don’t want to feel isolated from your surroundings. Available in Matte Black and Argilla Bright colors with the super-premium build quality and a self-proclaimed focus on craft, the H9 headphones are priced at $500, which is certainly not affordable… but also not shocking.
    Just like the H9i, the Google Assistant-enabled H9 have a pretty clear target audience that cares more about B&O brand recognition and stature than objectively comparing the value for money delivered by these headphones with those of the cheaper Bose QuietComfort 35 II or Sony WH1000XM3.
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  • Huawei is now looking to capture the 5G chipset market

    Huawei is now looking to capture the 5G chipset market

    While Huawei and 70 of its affiliated companies now need U.S. government approval to buy parts from the U.S., the company doesn’t have to worry about accessing SoCs from San Diego based Qualcomm. That’s because Huawei designs its own chips for the firm’s high-end handsets. The next such chip, the Hi-Silicon Kirin 985, is due out in the second half of this year. The Kirin 985 is designed for Huawei’s 4G LTE phones. However, the chip can be outfitted with Huawei’s own Balong 5G modem; this will allow phones powered by the Kirin 985 to connect to mobile 5G sub 6GHz networks.

    The Kirin 985 chipset with the 5G Balong modem will first appear on the Huawei Mate 30 line due out in the fourth quarter of this year. The chip will be manufactured by TSMC using the 7nm+ mode, with trial production runs scheduled for this quarter. By the third quarter of this year, the Kirin 985 should be rolling off of TSMC’s assembly lines in volume.

    Following the release of the Kirin 985, Huawei is expected to introduce 5G SoCs that comes with an integrated 5G modem. These chips are expected to roll out sometime between late 2019 and early 2020. Early next year, Huawei is also planning on offering chips that will be used on smartphones supporting mmWave 5G connectivity. The latter uses very high-frequency radio signals in the 24GHz to the 90GHz range. While mmWave 5G speeds could be faster than those achieved over sub 6GHz airwaves, the wavelengths are shorter. As a result, it will take less time to build out a nationwide 5G network using sub 6GHz. This is why T-Mobile expects to be first in the states with a coast-to-coast 5G platform next year using sub 6GHz only.

    Huawei’s Hi-Silicon unit plans to compete with Qualcomm to become one of the top two suppliers of 5G SoCs to phone manufacturers. The report notes that MediaTek will have a 5G chipset for sub 6GHz smartphones before the end of this year. It also expects Apple to design a 5G SoC in time for the launch of the 2020 iPhone models.

    Huawei’s road map is not unique. Other global chip designers are said to be creating chipsets for mobile devices that can be produced with a 4G or 5G modem chip as the slow migration from 4G to 5G begins. These firms will start offering 5G SoCs with integrated 5G modem chips as well as chips supporting mmWave 5G next year.

    Interestingly, Huawei offered to sell Apple its Balong 5G modem chip last month. This came at a time when Apple was unsure about which company it would source the component from. Due to its legal battles with Qualcomm, Apple appeared committed to using 5G modem chips that were being developed by Intel. Still, there were questions about whether Intel could deliver them in time for a 2020 launch, which led Apple to talk with Samsung and MediaTek. Finally, the company reached a settlement with Qualcomm that included a multi-year supply deal for the chipmaker’s 5G smartphone modem.

    Huawei’s first 5G phone, barring any Galaxy Fold-like delays, will be the Mate X. This is a foldable phone that folds out instead of in like Samsung’s device does. The Mate X will use the same Kirin 980 SoC found on the current P30 line but will include a 5G Balong 5000 modem chip. The $2,600 device will probably not be seen in the U.S. since President Trump is expected to sign order soon that will ban Huawei products from entering the states.

  • DJI Osmo Action Camera Captures Every Adventure in Stunning 4K Detail

    DJI Osmo Action Camera Captures Every Adventure in Stunning 4K Detail

    DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and creative camera technology, building on its heritage of advanced image stabilization, takes a bold new direction with the Osmo Action camera. Utilizing DJI’s unparalleled experience with capturing smooth and stable videos in the most demanding environments, Osmo Action is as rugged as it is sophisticated, opening worlds of creative potential for professionals and adventure seekers alike.

    “DJI has always pushed the limits of technology, and the content creators who love our products made clear they wanted us to push the limits of their creative potential too. Osmo Action is our cutting-edge answer to what the creative community demands. Exceptional image quality and stabilization in a unique and durable new form factor, with dual color screens and seamless software integration. For all types of creators who push their gear to the limits, Osmo Action sets the new standard,” said Roger Luo, DJI President. “Whether you are capturing aerial content with Mavic 2, incredibly smooth content with Osmo Pocket, or heart-racing footage with Osmo Action, DJI offers a full suite of products for your creative needs.”

    Rugged construction and intuitive design

    A compact yet durable design makes Osmo Action the ideal camera for life’s adventures. Constructed to handle extreme conditions with ease, Osmo Action is dustproof, shockproof[1], waterproof[2] and has the ability to operate in sub-freezing temperatures[3]. Osmo Action utilizes color screens on both the front and back, a unique design feature that allows for more convenient scene composition while on the move. The 2.25-inch rear touchscreen employs a water and fingerprint repelling coating, and the 1.4-inch front screen makes vlogging and selfies easier than ever before. With a brightness of 750-nits, Osmo Action can be used in harsh lighting conditions including direct sunlight.

    Osmo Action’s interactive user interface, Action OS, combines a streamlined and functional physical design with flexible operation. Power on, initiate recording, and rotate through the video and photo capture modes in the blink of an eye with three dedicated buttons. Never miss a moment with the help of SnapShot, which allows Osmo Action to turn on and begin recording in under two seconds by pressing the shutter button once.

    Advanced technology with exceptional image quality

    A 1/2.3-inch sensor records 12-megapixel photos and 4K video up to 60fps at 100Mbps in stunning detail, assuring high-quality footage. A three-glass aspherical lens design records low-distortion content and aids in reducing warping effects for improved scenes. The lens cap is finished with two layers of anti-fingerprint coating to keep the shot clean during use, as well as an anti-reflective coating to reduce the unwanted effects of lens glare, giving users more flexibility to shoot in bright conditions.

    Incorporating over a decade of experience creating three-axis mechanical gimbals, Osmo Action is the first DJI handheld camera to include RockSteady, DJI’s Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) technology. High-performance stabilization algorithms work in conjunction with EIS to record every movement in smooth, stable, high-quality video, even when recording 4K/60fps. Additionally, Osmo Action is capable of High Dynamic Range (HDR) video in 4K/30fps, delivering an additional three stops of dynamic range to the scene, natural transitions between light and dark areas, and rich details that are often lost in complex lighting conditions. Osmo Action has a removable battery with a run time of 93 minutes recording at 4K/30fps with RockSteady enabled, and 135 minutes recording at 1080p/30fps without RockSteady. Dual microphones let users take advantage of Osmo Action’s Voice Control, and a speaker ensures outstanding playback quality.

    Creative, intelligent features

    A staple in DJI’s product lineup, Osmo Action offers a wide variety of highly creative features built into the camera which users can access with a few simple taps. While recording, choose between:

    • Slo-mo: 8x slow motion in 1080p 240fps or 4x slow motion in 1080p 120fps creates a visually appealing effect when documenting action-packed scenes.
    • Timelapse: If the user is looking to turn minutes into seconds, Timelapse is perfect for capturing unique content with the effect of the world moving faster.
    • Custom Exposure settings: Shoot for the stars with manual and semi-automatic settings that allow up to 120 seconds of exposure, perfect for capturing the night sky.

    Unlocking Osmo Action’s full potential[4]

    Using the recently released DJI Mimo app, connect Osmo Action to your mobile device with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for added functionality, including a live feed of the camera, multiple story templates, in-app quick editing, and more. An ecosystem of accessories helps unleash all the possibilities of Osmo Action including:

    • Camera Frame Kit: Included with Osmo Action, the Camera Frame Kit offers a universal mount for additional accessories and a window for the LED indicator to show camera status in real time while protecting the device.
    • Adhesive Mounts: Attach Osmo Action to flat or curved surfaces including skateboards, bikes, helmets, and more to capture fast-paced moments. Both the curved and flat adhesive mounts are included with Osmo Action.
    • Waterproof Case: The waterproof case protects the device at depths down to 60 meters while providing a clear image using high-strength glass.
    • 3.5mm Adapter: The 3.5mm adapter offers users the ability to connect an external mic for professional sound recording.
    • Extension Rod: Capture unique angles using the Extension Rod, which features a rotatable phone holder and a ¼-inch screw adapter.
    • Floating Handle: The Floating Handle offers a comfortable grip for Osmo Action and keeps it floating when shooting in water.
    • Filters: Osmo Action comes with Neutral Density (ND), Polarizer, and underwater filters. ND filters (ND4, ND8, ND16, and ND32) reduce light exposure in various environments, while Polarizer filters reduce reflections and increase color saturation for a more appealing image. Orange Seawater and Purple Freshwater filters restore the natural color of underwater scenes.
    • Charging Hub: Charge up to three batteries simultaneously in less than 130 minutes.

    Price and Availability

    Osmo Action retails for $2,999 HKD and will start shipping immediately after the announcement on May 16 at store.dji.com and from authorized dealers on May 22. For more information on all the new features and capabilities of Osmo Action, please visit https://www.dji.com/osmo-action.

    DJI Care Refresh

    DJI Care Refresh is now available for Osmo Action. For an additional $299 HKD, DJI Care Refresh offers comprehensive coverage as well as up to two replacement units within one year. Receive your replacement even sooner with DJI Care Refresh Express. DJI Care Refresh also includes VIP after-sales support and free two-way shipping. For a full list of details, please visit https://www.dji.com/service/djicare-refresh.

  • The world’s first 1TB microSD card is on Sale

    The world’s first 1TB microSD card is on Sale

    Just in case you needed further proof the mobile tech industry is making incredible progress at breakneck speed nowadays, you might recall Samsung’s first ever “terabyte-ready” phone was only unveiled last fall. The Galaxy Note 9 offered 512 gigs of internal storage space, supporting up to 512 more by accommodating a new first-party microSD card option.

    But then the Galaxy S10+ took things to the next level in a special Performance Edition, starting at a full terabyte of digital hoarding room while naturally also supporting external expansion. And now there’s an easy way to make the ultra-high-end model a two terabyte device with the help of the world’s first 1TB memory card. This comes from SanDisk (who else?), finally going on sale today in the US after a formal announcement several months back.

    By “easy”, of course, we don’t mean it’s affordable by any stretch of the imagination to obtain a phone capable of storing 2TB of data in total. In addition to the $1,600 you need to pay for an unlocked S10+ Performance Edition, the 1TB SanDisk Extreme UHS-I microSD card will cost you an extra $449.99 right now. Believe it or not, that’s actually 50 bucks lower than the recommended price point initially announced by SanDisk. At the same time, it’s a whopping $250 more than what the memory-specialized company typically charges for a 512 gig Extreme model.

    Naturally, speeds are just as important as capacity, and unsurprisingly, this bad boy shines in that particular department as well, with up to 160MB/s read and maximum 90MB/s write velocity. Both Full HD and 4K Ultra HD video clips are supported, although you’ll have to capture quite a lot of high-quality footage to exceed the internal limit of a 1TB, 512GB, or even 256GB high-end smartphone.

    Available from SanDisk’s own website and B&H Photo Video at the time of this writing, the 1TB Extreme microSD card is also listed as “currently unavailable” on Amazon and “sold out” at Best Buy, where it’s actually priced at $429.99 after a $70 discount.

  • The Galaxy Note 10 Will be Sold in 6 Colors

    The Galaxy Note 10 Will be Sold in 6 Colors

    The Galaxy Note 10 will arrive this summer packed full of flagship features and specs, and according to MySmartPrice, Samsung hopes to pair all of this with an extensive range of colors. The Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy Note 9 both launched initially in a range of four colors which were subject to availability. But with this year’s Galaxy Note 10, Samsung is reportedly preparing a grand total of five finishes that’ll include both old and new colors.

    Borrowing from the Galaxy S10 that Samsung released earlier this year, the Galaxy Note 10 will reportedly be available in Prism Black, Prism White, and Flaming Pink upon launch. It’s unclear if other Galaxy S10 colors will be used at a later date, but the possibility certainly exists.

    Like the Galaxy Note 9 that precedes it, Samsung’s next flagship is also set to be sold in a Cloud Silver finish. Completing the lineup will apparently be an all-new red color. Curiously, Samsung was planning a red variant of the Galaxy S10 but ultimately scrapped it ahead of launch.

    As per usual, the availability of the Galaxy Note 10 colors mentioned above will vary by market and storage configuration. Moreover, it’s worth pointing out the fact that Samsung could still choose to cancel or delay certain finishes prior to the flagship’s announcement. Nevertheless, as things stand the Prism Black, Prism White, Flamingo Pink, and Cloud Silver versions are set to be sold internationally, while the red model will be available in just a handful of markets.

    Following in the footsteps of the Galaxy S10 series, the Galaxy Note 10 is expected to arrive powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 855 in the US and the Exynos 9820 over in Europe and many other markets.

    Presumably, these high-end chipsets will arrive paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage as standard. However, if this configuration isn’t sufficient, other variants with up to 12GB of RAM and 1TB of storage are extremely likely. Accompanying all of this should be Android 9 Pie paired with Samsung’s One UI custom interface and a large 6.3-inch curved AMOLED display. Speaking of which, this is expected to retain the slim bezels and punch hole found on the Galaxy S10 line. Over on the rear of the Galaxy Note 10 is expected to set a minimum of three rear cameras rather than the two found on last year’s model. There is, however, a strong possibility Samsung will add a fourth camera to the setup.

    If this happens, consumers can expect to find a 12-megapixel variable aperture camera accompanied by a second 12-megapixel sensor paired with a 2x telephoto zoom lens. The flagship is also set to benefit from a 16-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera that’ll give users the ability to capture more in their photos, and a dedicated Time-of-Flight sensor which should provide depth data for improved bokeh imagery and more accurate AR content.

    In addition to the regular Galaxy Note 10, which itself will also be accompanied by a 5G variant, Samsung is reportedly preparing a Galaxy Note 10 Pro and Note 10 Pro 5G. These two devices are set to look identical to the regular Galaxy Note 10 models, but will apparently feature massive 6.7-inch AMOLED displays and huge 4,500mAh batteries.

    Rumor has it the smartphones will also feature two front-facing cameras and potentially more storage and RAM as standard.

  • Amazon’s Alexa Guard Arrived to Guard your Home

    Amazon’s Alexa Guard Arrived to Guard your Home

    Even though music streaming remains the primary use case for Amazon and Google’s insanely popular smart speakers, it goes without saying Alexa and Google Assistant can do many other cool, innovative, and practical things simply by listening to your voice. The Echo lineup arguably maintains its superiority in the living room, hiding plenty of neat smart home tricks up its sleeve, the latest of which is specifically designed to keep an eye on things while you’re away.

    Formally unveiled way back in September and made available by invitation only a couple of months after that, the very ingenious Alexa Guard feature is now rolling out more widely in the US at last. All you have to do to activate this functionality is remember to say “Alexa, I’m leaving” every single time you exit the premises of your house and want your digital assistant to keep its virtual ear to the ground.

    After setting Guard to “away mode” with the aforementioned magic phrase, your Echo device will stay alert and send notifications to your phone if it detects the sound of smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, or glass breaking. Obviously, you shouldn’t panic as soon as you get a “smart alert”, and instead try to determine if the danger detected by Alexa is actual cause for concern by listening to a 10-second audio recording from your house or even “drop in” on your Echo remotely to check exactly what its microphone is picking up.

    By no means a replacement for a real security system, Alexa Guard can enhance the capabilities of popular setups from Ring and ADT, while also working in tandem with connected smart lights to discourage burglary attempts. Most importantly, the feature naturally doesn’t cost a thing. The latest version of the mobile Alexa app lets you enable it from the “Settings” menu, where you’ll find a Guard-dedicated subsection containing simple step-by-step setup instructions.

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  • CES 2019 Gadgets that will define the online casinos of tomorrow

    CES 2019 Gadgets that will define the online casinos of tomorrow

    Consumer Electronics Show or CES serves as the best time of the year when manufacturers and developers all over the world get to showcase their greatest and latest technologies. And none of them disappointed this time around as well, especially with regard to the developments in the augmented in virtual reality technologies, and their application in the gaming industry of tomorrow.

    Right from the latest VR headsets to the system peripherals that are going to completely transform the way we interact with our surroundings in virtual reality, there were all kinds of impressive offerings in the CES 2019. You could very well see how the future of online slots and various other online casino games is going to unfold in the times to come. Let’s take you through some of the best AR and VR tech products that were showcased in this year’s edition of CES.

    Oculus Quest

    Nothing denying the fact that Oculus Rift is an excellent option for virtual reality enthusiasts, but we all know that it needs continuous tethering to a PC to be able to enjoy it. Oculus Quest does away with that requirement. It’s an all-in-one gaming headset which is absolutely wireless, enabling players to enjoy the VR games to the fullest, even while being on the move.

    Once you set up Oculus Quest with the help of the oculus mobile app, it can start tracking your movements without the need of any external cameras. It instead uses the camera situated on the headset’s front, implying that you’ll be able to play anywhere you like as long as the place has room for the two controllers and the headset. It’s not without a reason that Time.com has called Oculus Quest the Virtual Reality’s best bet yet.  Furthermore, you can operate Oculus Quest both from the sitting and standing positions. Although it lacks the power of Vive or Rift, the PC-powered headsets, the Quest still supports some of the highly popular VR games, including The Climb and Moss.

    Vivo Pro Eye

    This one’s a premium VR headset which is a version better than the earlier one, after integrating the Tobii eye-tracking technology. With Vivo Pro Eye headset you can enjoy an even more immersive VR experience, and get to navigate menus and execute all kinds of functions using nothing but your gaze. The headset is already being used in popular apps such as Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby VR. It’s also expected to make it easier for businesses to use eye-tracking technology with minimum resources.

    3D Rudder for Playstation VR

    With PlayStation VR you can explore your virtual environment in 360° and PlayStation has done an excellent job in making this experience very realistic. However, people felt that something was slightly off as they were unable to use their feet in this environment. The 3D Rudder for PlayStation VR is meant to fix this problem, and allow the players to apply pressure, spin or tilt using their feet, and move around freely inside their favourite VR environments.

     

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  • HTC experienced massive losses during the First Months

    HTC experienced massive losses during the First Months

    HTC’s revenue numbers continued to drop massively between January and March 2019, and to no surprise today the company has confirmed that it experienced massive financial losses throughout the period.

    Despite seeing an improved gross margin of 14.7% during the quarter – a year earlier HTC’s gross margin was -3.1% – the Taiwan-based company still experienced a worse-than-expected loss of NT$ 2.73 billion ($87.68 million). The primary cause of this huge loss was HTC’s operating expenses, which essentially skyrocketed throughout the first three months of the year. In fact, within the space of 12 months, the company’s operating margin has gone from an awful -58.9% to an absolutely horrendous -92.9%, which means, at the moment, HTC is spending almost double what it earns.

    Overall, the company generated NT$ 2.94 billion ($94.45 million) in revenue throughout the quarter. The strong performance of HTC’s VR headsets appears to have been the primary source of income, although the company’s smartphone sales did also play an important role.

    Looking towards the second quarter of the year, HTC’s newly-announced Exodus 1s blockchain smartphone and the HTC 5G Hub are expected to positively affect the company’s finances. Both the Vive Pro Eye and Vive Focus Plus headsets are set to boost HTC’s sales too, all of which will lead up to the company’s 5G flagship during the second half of the year, as well as a couple of mid-range smartphones.

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