T4- Technology, gadget, infotainment news

Metalenz could help flatten out huge smartphone camera bumps in the future

2021-02-06T13:00:00.002+08:00

It seems that a new company called Metalenz has recently been spotted, offering a new type of lens that could potentially reduce the size of the rear camera bump on future smartphones. While not much is known in regards to which smartphones will come equipped with the new lens, it does give us a better idea on how the smartphones could look like in the future.

As for how it functions, the Metalenz’s technology function by using a single lens that’s built on a glass wafer up to 3x3 millimetre in size with nanostructures that are designed to bend light onto the sensor. As of now, it seems that Metalenz is currently working with a smartphone partner which will most likely unveil a device equipped with the new lens technology in the near future.

realme V11 5G release: Dimensity 700 chipset, 5000mAh battery, and up to 13MP camera at ~RM754

2021-02-06T12:59:00.003+08:00

It seems that realme has officially unveiled a new smartphone in China called the realme V11 5G, which is only available in one variant at the priced of RMB1199 (~RM754). Unfortunately, there is no news on the Malaysia release date, so you might want to check back with us in the near future.

In terms of the tech specs, the smartphone in question comes equipped with a Dimensity 700 chipset, 4GB RAM, 128GB ROM, 6.52-inch display, as well as a 5000mAh internal battery. As for the camera, the devices has a 13MP + 2MP rear camera while the front comes with an 8MP selfie camera.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 & Z Fold 3 may launch in July 2021

2021-02-06T12:58:00.008+08:00

Around last week, there was a rumour about the possible launch window for Samsung's foldable device. It's said that Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 could be launched together. Now it seems a reliable source has a good idea of when they're launching.

According to Ice Universe, we will have to "wait 5 months" from now to see both models. This puts the launch window in July 2021, which is when the Galaxy Z Flip 5G launched last year. Interestingly, another leaker followed up by mentioning that he could get his hands on samples in 2-3 months.

With the gap between this rumoured launch and the Galaxy S21 series, we can probably expect other phones in the meantime. For example, the Galaxy A52 5G and Galaxy A72 5G were spotted recently. There's also a rumour that Samsung is working on a Galaxy A82 smartphone that could feature a pop-up or flippable camera module.

A woman got scammed RM18,000 through a fake SMS and KWSP is warning us about that

2021-02-06T12:58:00.007+08:00

After tricking the public by building a fake Maybank website, the scammer has another method to get your money now. It is reported that a woman has lost RM18,000 after interacting with a link in an SMS notifying her that her bank account is locked. KWSP is warning the public to beware of such suspicious SMS to not fall into the trap set up by vicious scammers.

During this time, some of you may have applied to withdraw money from your KWSP account under the i-Sinar program as well. Therefore, it is important to verify any SMS received before clicking on anything. Not just SMS, you should also be doing the same for phone calls or e-mails to avoid being scammed.

Microsoft Cuts Donations to Politicians Who Voted in Favour of Donald Trump Against US Election Results

2021-02-06T12:57:00.003+08:00

Microsoft on Friday said it is temporarily cutting off donations to politicians who voted against certifying the US election results or supported efforts to overturn President Joe Biden's victory.

Contributions from employees, shareholders and family members channeled through a Microsoft Corporation Stakeholders Voluntary PAC will be withheld from those lawmakers through the 2022 election cycle, according to corporate vice president Fred Humphries.

He added that the political action committee will create a Democracy Forward Initiative to support campaign finance reform and voting rights.

"We believe these steps are appropriate given the importance of these issues for the stability and future of American democracy," Humphries said in a blog post.

The PAC had suspended political contributions after the deadly attack last month on the US Capitol Building by supporters of former president Donald Trump.

In an unprecedented second impeachment trial, Trump is accused of fomenting the attack by his supporters on the US legislature, forcing a halt to proceedings to certify Biden's victory in the November presidential election.

The January 6 violence continues to reverberate in Washington. Prosecutors have charged some 180 people in the attacks, according to a tally by the George Washington University Program on Extremism, and hundreds more are under investigation.

The Justice Department has suggested it could build a case for seditious conspiracy by some Trump-supporting extreme-right groups in the attack.

In a White House rally just before the attack, Trump encouraged supporters to reject the election results and to "fight like hell."

The Microsoft PAC is suspending all donations to members of Congress who voted to object to the certification of the election results, according to Humphries.

More than 3,000 Microsoft employees donate to the PAC, and Humphries said the announced moves resulted from feedback gathered from many of them in video-meetings.

"We do realize that these steps, while significant, will be too much or too little for some employees," Humphries said.

"There were several other good ideas that arose from our recent meetings, and we will continue to consider other ways we can strengthen the MSVPAC."

iPhone SE 3, iPhone 12S Pro Concept Renders Suggest What’s Coming From Apple in 2021

2021-02-01T12:55:00.000+08:00

While Apple hasn't provided any details about the 2021 iPhone lineup, concept renders offering a glimpse into the possible design of iPhone SE 3 and iPhone 12S Pro have surfaced online. iPhone SE 3, aka iPhone SE (2021), seems to have a list of significant changes over the existing iPhone SE (2020) and the original iPhone SE. One of the key changes suggested by the renders is the absence of a home button. iPhone 12S Pro, on the other hand, appears to have the same design as iPhone 12 Pro, according to the concept renders. iPhone 12S Pro was earlier rumoured as iPhone 13 Pro, though the latter may come in 2022 — given the historical record of the iPhone lineup.

iPhone SE 3 concept renders

Slovakian blog Svetapple.sk published the concept renders of iPhone SE 3. The renders show a hole-punch display, along with thin bezels. The phone also appears to have a flat frame that resembles the design of the iPhone 12 series.

iphone se 3 2021 image render svetapple sk iPhone SE 3 iPhone SE 2021

On the back, the iPhone SE 3 renders show a single camera sensor, along with an LED flash. This is similar to iPhone SE and iPhone SE (2020). However, the renders show no home button. The blog instead mentioned that there could be Touch ID fingerprint recognition on the power key. This is similar to the latest iPad Air.

iPhone SE 3 specifications (expected)

In terms of specifications, the blog claims that iPhone SE 3 will come with a 5.4-inch LCD panel that will feature a high resolution — but not as good as the OLED displays on the high-end iPhone models. The rear camera sensor is also expected to have 12-megapixel resolution along with an f/1.6 lens. This is identical to iPhone 12 mini.

iPhone SE 3 is reported to have Apple A14 Bionic SoC with 4GB of RAM and 4G connectivity. The new model is also speculated to have 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB of storage options — just like the existing iPhone SE. On the pricing front, iPhone SE 3 could be available at $499 (roughly Rs. 36,400) for the base 64GB storage variant. The rumoured price is $100 (roughly Rs. 7,300) higher than the $399 (roughly Rs. 29,100) iPhone SE (2020).

That said, iPhone SE 3 is expected to debut in April 2021, along with the next-generation AirPods Pro. You can expect some further details to surface in the meantime.

Phone 12S Pro concept renders

In addition to the iPhone SE 3 renders, LetsGoDigital published the concept renders of iPhone 12S Pro in collaboration with Concept Creator. The new Pro model appears to have a thinner notch, with a chassis similar to that of the iPhone 12 Pro. You can, of course, expect multiple colour options as well. The renders also suggest the absence of a Lightning port. This means that Apple could offer wireless charging as the sole source to refill the inbuilt battery. However, this information should be taken with a pinch of salt as the Cupertino company hasn't made any official announcement.

iPhone 12S Pro specifications (expected)

LetsGoDigital and Concept Creator have also speculated on some key specifications of iPhone 12S Pro. The phone is believed to retain the 6.1-inch OLED display that's there on iPhone 12 Pro. It is, however, expected to have a 120Hz refresh rate. iPhone 12S Pro is also speculated to have in-display Touch ID fingerprint sensor — alongside Face ID.

Asus Wants Gamers in India to Join ROG Academy Programme, Company Executive Shares Insight

2021-02-01T12:53:00.003+08:00

sus ROG Academy is a new virtual initiative by the Taiwanese PC, component, and peripherals maker, aimed at enabling gamers in India to showcase their skills and get a chance to become professional e-sports players. Asus, with help from AFK Gaming, will organise this programme and pick six contestants to be part of the ROG Academy. Here, they will be put under the tutelage of professionals who will mentor, train, and guide them towards the goal of representing Asus ROG locally, as well as globally. With the significant growth of gaming in India especially in the last year owing to the pandemic, people can now have a virtual platform to not only compete with others, but assess e-sports as a legitimate profession for themselves.

ROG Academy is a year-long programme divided into four quarterly sessions that focuses on one of the most prominent games in the e-sports scene, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. Registration will start from February 1 and last till February 10.

Players will go through a rigorous selection process to make it to the top six and get a chance to be part of the academy. As per the companies, the final six players will be given Rs. 1,00,000 after successfully completing their three month training. They will also get a stipend of Rs. 15,000 along with a bonus on monthly basis during the training.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra: Does stylus spell end of the Note?

2021-01-15T13:14:00.002+08:00

Samsung's new flagship Galaxy S smartphone works with its stylus for the first time.

The S Pen is an optional add-on for the Galaxy S21 Ultra. But the move will fuel speculation the firm will phase out its separate Note handset range.

Samsung told the BBC it had yet to make a decision about this.

The company's handset sales have declined more quickly than the wider market. One expert said a streamlined line-up might help address this.

media captionWATCH: First look at Samsung's S21 Ultra phone

"There's increasing logic for Samsung to converge the Galaxy S and Note platforms, because there's so little differentiation between the two kinds of devices now," said Ben Wood, from the CCS Insight consultancy.

"That would align them with Apple, which also has one big phone launch event a year.

"My concern is that every time Samsung has announced its Note products in the past, it has planted a seed in consumers' minds that the Galaxy S products have become kind of the old ones."

The benefit of having a stylus is that it is easier to write, draw or annotate notes than using a finger. But to work it requires special hardware under the glass of the phone's display to pass power to the stylus and to track its tip.

'Expanded Note experience'

The Android-based Galaxy S21 Ultra has a 6.8in (17.3cm) display, which is only slightly smaller than the top-end 6.9in Note.

In years past, the Note phones were known as "phablets", and their size was the other key distinguishing factor with the S range.

IMAGE COPYRIGHTSAMSUNG

image captionUnlike the Note series, the S21 Ultra requires a special case to stow away the pen

Product manager Mark Notton said "we haven't decided", when asked whether Samsung planned to continue the Note family.

"It does not mean that Samsung is not committed to the Note category, but is expanding the Note experience across device categories," the firm said in a follow-up statement.

"We will actively listen to consumers' feedback and reflect it in our continued product innovation."

The S21 Ultra will start at £1,149 when it goes on sale on 29 January. The S Pen costs an extra £35 on its own, or £85 when bundled with a case that stores it.

That puts it in the ballpark of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra's £1,179 starting price, which comes with a stylus that slots into its body.

Ditched charger

There are also two other lower-cost models in the new range, neither of which works with the S-Pen stylus: the 6.2in S21 and 6.7in S21+.

All three models feature a redesigned camera module on their back.

IMAGE COPYRIGHTSAMSUNG

image captionAll the Galaxy S21 phones feature a redesigned camera module on their back

But while the two lower-end models have three lenses - ultra-wide, wide and 3x-zoom telephoto - the S21 Ultra adds a further 10x-zoom telephoto lens, letting owners shoot action from even further away.

The handsets also benefit from a new Director's View facility. It lets users film video while getting thumbnail previews superimposed on-screen of what it would look like if they switched to another lens.

All three phones can film in 8K - double the maximum resolution of the competing iPhone 12 range's native video app.

image captionThe Director's View mode lets users preview how the recorded shot will change in a video if they switch to a different lens while filming

Other benefits over Apple's latest phones include:

screens that can display up to 120 frames per second, to provide smoother visual effects
wi-fi 6E wireless connectivity, allowing use of extra radio bandwith with a compatible router
brighter screens - the S21 Ultra goes up to 1,500 nits, which should improve playback of HDR (high dynamic range) video

However, the handsets may be more notable for following Apple in two regards.

They have abandoned a slot for a microSD memory card.

And they will be sold without either a charger - a decision over which Samsung had mocked its rival. - or earphones.

IMAGE COPYRIGHTSAMSUNG

image captionSamsung posted this ad in October on social media before deleting it

"We discovered that more and more Galaxy users are reusing accessories they already have," the firm said.

Early launch

Samsung typically unveils its Galaxy range in late February, but has brought forward this year's launch to coincide with the CES tech show.

"Samsung needs S21 to be a success given that S20 was launched in the middle of Covid first wave in Europe and didn't gain many fans," commented Marta Pinto, from research firm IDC.

She added the earlier launch date could help it compete in the "premium market" with Apple, whose iPhones were released later than normal last year.

The South Korean firm should also benefit from collapsing sales of Huawei's devices in the West, caused by US sanctions that prevent them offering the Google Play store and some of the search giant's other services.

IMAGE COPYRIGHTSAMSUNG

image captionSamsung dedicated a segment of its Unpacked launch presentation to its partnership with Google

But Mr Wood said Samsung was facing growing competition from other Chinese brands including Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo.

"Samsung's differentiator is going to be its ability to market its strong brand, and the fact it has a very wide product portfolio," he commented.

Smarter earbuds

Samsung also aims to widen its appeal with two further accessories.

It has a new pair of £219 wireless earbuds that monitor what the user is doing.

IMAGE COPYRIGHTSAMSUNG

image captionSamsung's earbuds should automatically adapt their audio output according to what the user is doing

If they detect the wearer is talking, they automatically turn down the volume of music and amplify the sounds of the nearby environment picked up by their microphones, allowing the owner to have a brief conversation without needing to take them out or manually adjust their settings.

Samsung also is launching the £30 Galaxy SmartTag - a Bluetooth-enabled tracker that can be attached to belongings or pets.

It will allow an app to show their location, so long as the tag is in range of the owner or anyone else's compatible Samsung device.

The tracker will compete with similar products from the current market leader Tile.

Australia rebukes Google for blocking local content

2021-01-15T13:11:00.004+08:00

The Australian government has urged Google to focus on paying for Australian content instead of blocking it.

After media reports said Australian news websites were not showing up in searches, Google confirmed it was blocking the sites for a small number of users.

The search engine said it was conducting experiments to determine the value of its service to Australian news outlets.

Google, Facebook and other tech companies are fighting the Australian government over plans to make them pay for news content.

Google said the tests affect about 1% of Australian users, and will be finished by February.

“The digital giants should focus on paying for original content, not blocking it. That’s my message to those digital giants,” said Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.

The big tech firms have been resisting legislation which will force them to negotiate with Australian news outlets over payment for the content which appears on their platforms.

If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, a government-appointed arbitrator will decide for them.

The law is currently being debated by Australia’s Senate, and is expected to be voted on early this year.

Google and Facebook have called the rules unfair and suggested they would force them to limit their offerings in the country.

media captionWATCH: Timnit Gebru accuses Google and the wider tech sector of institutional racism

The bill also covers Australia's two public broadcasters ABC and SBS, and requires Google and Facebook to share user data of news stories with their publishers.

“That is a world-leading scheme that we are putting in place. It has been acknowledged not just by regulatory agencies but by other governments around the world,” said Mr Frydenberg.

Google argues that its search services would be worse under the change.

It has rolled out an extensive advertising campaign in Australia, arguing the laws would be damaging.

Australia’s media proprietors see things differently. Australian print media has seen a 75% decline in advertising revenue since 2005, the government said.

Many Australian news outlets have shut down or cut jobs in recent years as a result.

Parler Suspended From Google Play

2021-01-09T13:07:00.001+08:00

Alphabet's Google on Friday suspended the Parler social networking service from its app store, citing posts inciting violence and demanding “robust” content moderation from the app favored by many supporters of US President Donald Trump.

Apple on Friday also gave the service 24 hours to submit a detailed moderation plan, pointing to participants using the service to coordinate Wednesday's siege of the US Capitol building.

The actions by the two Silicon Valley companies mean that the network seen as a haven for people expelled from Twitter could become unavailable for new downloads on the world's main mobile phone app stores within a day. It would still be available in mobile browsers.

Right-leaning social media users in the United States have flocked to Parler, messaging app Telegram and hands-off social site Gab, citing the more aggressive policing of political comments on mainstream platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. Twitter permanently suspended President Trump's account on Friday.

In suspending the service, Google, whose software powers Android phones, cited its policy against apps that promote violence and gave recent examples from Parler, including a Friday post that began "How do we take back our country? About 20 or so coordinated hits" and another promoting a "Million Militia March" on Washington.

Parler Chief Executive John Matze said in a post on Friday that Apple was applying standards to Parler that it did not apply to itself.

In a statement, Google said that "for us to distribute an app through Google Play, we do require that apps implement robust moderation for egregious content. In light of this ongoing and urgent public safety threat, we are suspending the app's listings from the Play Store until it addresses these issues."

In a letter from Apple's App Store review team to Parler seen by Reuters, Apple cited participants of the mob storming the US Capitol building on Wednesday.

"Content that threatens the well-being of others or is intended to incite violence or other lawless acts has never been acceptable on the App Store," Apple said in the letter.

Apple gave Parler 24 hours to "remove all objectionable content from your app ... as well as any content referring to harm to people or attacks on government facilities now or at any future date." The company also demanded that Parler submit a written plan "to moderate and filter this content" from the app.

Apple declined to comment.

Matze, who describes himself as libertarian, founded Parler in 2018 as a "free-speech driven" alternative to mainstream platforms but began courting right-leaning users as prominent supporters of Trump moved there.

Those who have joined include commentator Candace Owens, Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani, and right-wing activist Laura Loomer, who handcuffed herself to the door of Twitter's New York office in November 2018 to protest a ban on her by the site. In November, conservative activist Rebekah Mercer confirmed that the she and her family, which includes her father and hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer, have provided funding to Parler.

"Apparently they believe Parler is responsible for ALL user generated content on Parler," Matze said. "Therefor (sic) by the same logic, Apple must be responsible for ALL actions taken by their phones. Every car bomb, every illegal cell phone conversation, every illegal crime committed on an iPhone, Apple must also be responsible for," he wrote. "Standards not applied to Twitter, Facebook or even Apple themselves, apply to Parler."

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 Event Set for January 14, Galaxy S21 Series Expected: All You Need to Know

2021-01-04T14:37:00.003+08:00

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event will be held on January 14, the company has confirmed. Reports in the past have claimed that Samsung will be announcing its next-gen Samsung Galaxy ‘S' series flagship lineup on January 14, and now the company has officially announced it is hosting an event on the same day. While it hasn't really announced the monikers of the upcoming Samsung flagship, it did confirm that ‘new experiences' in mobile technology will be unveiled. As per reports, the flagship series will be called the Samsung Galaxy S21 range this year.

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event details

The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event will be live streamed for all on Samsung.com at 10am EST (8.30pm IST) on January 14 i.e. next Thursday. Samsung has released an official invitation for the event and has published a teaser video that shows a blurry camera module of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series. There seems to be a triple camera setup on the module with the sensors sitting in one vertical line. As mentioned, the names of the phones have not been announced in the release.

Past reports indicate that the upcoming Galaxy ‘S' series will include three phones – Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21+, and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. The phones have leaked massively in the past and this time around the camera module is said to be fused with the frame to give it a sleeker look than before.

Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ price, availability details (expected)

The base model - Samsung Galaxy S21 – is reported to be priced starting at EUR 849 (roughly Rs. 76,000) for the base 128GB model, while its 256GB option was reported at EUR 899 (roughly Rs. 80,600). The Galaxy S21+, on the other hand, is expected to be available at EUR 1,049 (roughly Rs. 94,000) and EUR 1,099 (roughly Rs. 98,700) for the 128GB and 256GB storage options, respectively.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is expected to come in three storage options. The 128GB model will likely be priced at EUR 1,349 (roughly Rs. 1,21,400), whereas the 256GB storage model may be offered at EUR 1,399 (roughly Rs. 1,25,900). The most expensive will likely be the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 512GB model that will reportedly be priced at EUR 1,529 (roughly Rs. 1,37,600). Reports claim that the Galaxy S21 series would be available in South Korea on January 29.

Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra specifications (expected)

WinFuture.de, a popular German publication known for its accurate leaks, recently shared the specifications of all the three phones - Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra. According to the report, the three phones will come with dual-SIM (Nano) support and run on Android 11 with One UI 3.1 on top. All models are also expected to have an octa-core Exynos 2100 SoC in markets including Germany, though it could be the recently launched Snapdragon 888 in the US and select other markets. The Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ are expected to have 8GB of RAM as standard, along with 128GB and 256GB of onboard storage. There could to be up to 12GB of RAM on board on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra with 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB storage options. Storage is tipped to not be expandable in nature.

Coming to the display, Samsung Galaxy S21 is reported to have a 6.2-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,400 pixels) Infinity-O Display with Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen and 421ppi pixel density. The Galaxy S21+, on the other hand, could offer the same display in 6.7-inch size and 394ppi of pixel density. Both phones are also expected to have 60-120Hz refresh rate, 1,300 nits of peak brightness, and Gorilla Glass 7 protection on top.

The premium Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is expected to features a 6.8-inch (1,440x3,200 pixels) Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O display with 20:9 aspect ratio and 515ppi pixel density. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is tipped to come with 120Hz refresh rate and offer Gorilla Glass 7 protection.

Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ are also expected to have a triple rear camera setup that houses a 64-megapixel primary sensor with a telephoto f/2.0 lens on top, 12-megapixel secondary sensor with an ultra-wide-angle f/2.2 lens, and a 12-megapixel tertiary sensor with a wide-angle f/1.8 lens. The primary and tertiary lenses of the setup could have optical image stabilisation (OIS) support. The camera setup is expected to offer 3x “hybrid” optical zoom.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is also expected to feature a multiple lens setup with a 108-megapixel main camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS), two additional zoom lenses on board with 10-megapixel resolution. One zoom lens has 35-degree field-of-view and f/2.4 aperture and the other has 10-degree field-of-view but comes with periscope optics to offer 240mm focal length. There is also a 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with 120-degree field-of-view. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also has a laser autofocus system at the back.

For selfies and video chats, the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ will come with a 10-megapixel camera sensor at the front along with an f/2.2 lens, according to the report. The lens may have 80-degree of field-of-view (FoV). The Ultra model at the front is likely to have a 40-megapixel 1/2.8-inch sensor has PDAF and laser autofocus features.

Samsung Galaxy S21 may have a 4,000mAh battery, while the battery pack of Galaxy S21+ may come with a capacity of 4,800mAh. Both phones are expected to have 25W fast charging support — alongside Qi wireless charging compatibility. There is expected to be a 5,000mAh battery on board with 45W fast charging support on Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It may support wireless charging as well. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is also expected to support the S Pen as an optional accessory. Connectivity options on the three phones are tipped to include a USB Type-C port, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and 5G. The report says that users in Germany won't get an adapter or earphones bundled-in. The phones may not come bundled with a charger.

Samsung Tipped to Launch New Galaxy M-Series Smartphone in India Next Week, Could Be M12 or M62

2021-01-04T14:35:00.007+08:00

Samsung is tipped to launch a new Galaxy M-series smartphone in India next week. A tipster shared a poster of the upcoming phone on Twitter and claimed that it will launch next week. He also said that the phone could have a big screen. The smartphone will come with a waterdrop notch display, as per the leaked poster. While the name of the upcoming smartphone isn't given in the leak, it could be the Samsung Galaxy M12 or the Samsung Galaxy M62. Samsung is expected to launch the Galaxy S21 series at its Galaxy Unpacked 2021 event on January 14, but it seems like a Galaxy-M series smartphone could launch in India before that.

Tipster Mukul Sharma shared a poster of the upcoming Samsung smartphone on Twitter. It has the text #MAXUP, which hints at a large battery. The poster also suggests that the smartphone will have the volume and power buttons on the right side.

The Samsung Galaxy M12 is expected to feature a massive 7,000mAh battery. It is also tipped to sport a 6.7-inch display. The smartphone has been spotted on multiple certification sites in the last month and a support page for the smartphone also appears to have gone live in India. The Samsung Galaxy M12 has also reportedly gone into mass production at a Noida factory. All of this suggests that the smartphone is ready to be launched soon.

If not the Samsung Galaxy M12, the smartphone tipped to launch next week could also be the Galaxy M62, which was also reportedly in the works.

Meanwhile, Samsung is expected to launch the anticipated Galaxy S21 series on January 14. The lineup is rumoured to comprise of Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.

OnePlus 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition Teardown Reveals Sandstone Laminate, Copper Vapour Chamber, More

2020-11-28T17:34:00.007+08:00

OnePlus 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition has been put through a teardown process on YouTube. It shows the internals of the Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition of the phone are the same as the regular OnePlus 8T. The chipsets are covered with thermal paste and copper tape, and there is a graphite film on top. The large piece of glass that covers the top half of the back of the phone is purely for aesthetic purposes. The actual camera module is the same as the regular OnePlus 8T.

The teardown video shared by PBKreviews on YouTube shows a thick back plate on the OnePlus 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition with a lamination layer on the inside that gives the feeling of a sandstone back but feels like glass to the touch. The top part of the back has a large glass area that is purely for aesthetics. Beyond these changes, the internals are identical to the regular OnePlus 8T.

The chips are covered with thermal paste, copper tape, and then with graphite tape. The OnePlus 8T Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition has a dual battery setup as it supports faster 65W charging speeds; the dual battery also helps with thermals. There is a 2,200mAh battery and a 2,250mAh battery in the phone. There is also a copper vapour chamber in the phone that extends under the battery.

Samsung’s New Galaxy Buds With ANC, Improved Ambient Mode May Launch Alongside Galaxy S21 Series

2020-11-28T17:34:00.003+08:00

Samsung's next-generation Galaxy Buds TWS earbuds will reportedly launch alongside the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S21 series. The South Korean tech giant has been introducing new earbuds alongside its flagship Galaxy S series for a few years now, and next year may not be any different. These next-gen earbuds are tipped to support active noise cancellation (ANC) and have the same in-ear design as the Galaxy Buds and the Galaxy Buds+. Samsung recently introduced the Galaxy Buds Live in August this year.

Sammobile reports that new Galaxy Buds are launching alongside the Galaxy S21 series next year. The Samsung Galaxy S21 series is tipped to launch in January this time around. The official name of the upcoming earbuds has not yet been announced, but other information regarding features and design have been leaked. For instance, the next-gen Galaxy Buds earbuds are expected to have the same in-ear design as the predecessors Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+.

The Galaxy Buds TWS earbuds are expected to come with improved sound quality. It is expected to have an improved Ambient mode that will allow external noise to enter the earbuds for when you prefer to be in sync with your surroundings. Previous-generation earbuds also had this mode, but the upcoming Galaxy Buds TWS earbuds are expected to bring improvements to this feature.

The upcoming earbuds may also feature ANC and the report claims that these will be the first Samsung in-ear design earbuds to integrate it. The recently introduced Samsung Galaxy Buds Live also have ANC and they were the first true wireless earphones from the brand to feature it. Galaxy Buds Live have a unique bean-shaped design which sits in the outer frame of the ear.

Huawei P50 May Integrate Patented Liquid Lens Technology to Enable Millisecond-Level Focusing

2020-11-28T17:33:00.003+08:00

Huawei P50 series, expected to release next year, will reportedly integrate an innovative liquid lens technology to massively improve focusing speeds. The company looks to shake things up in smartphone imaging once again with its new patented liquid lens technology that is reported to achieve millisecond-level focusing, nearly in the lines of the human eye. The new Huawei liquid lens camera module film formation rate is reported to be almost 100 percent. A fresh report says that the liquid lens will be mass-produced and commercialised in 2021.

MyDrivers reports that this new liquid lens technology may be integrated into the Huawei P50 series next year. This new technology was patented by Huawei on December 25 last year and announced in April this year. It is expected to be mass-produced and commercialised next year. This liquid lens technology will be integrated into the telephoto lens module on the phone.

The report explains that traditional zoom lens achieves focus by adjusting the focal length between two fixed focal length lenses. The new technology will use liquid to focus light and it will change the shape of the liquid by passing electricity through it to control imaging. “Huawei's technical solution can be used to drive the motor of the liquid lens to meet performance requirements such as autofocus and optical image stabilization, while improving the reliability of the motor under abnormal working conditions such as impacts and drops,” the report adds (translated).

This is not the first time that Huawei has been reported to indulge in camera hardware innovation. It was also the first to introduce a periscope lens on a smartphone – the first being the Huawei P30 Pro that launched in 2019. This new technology allowed smartphone makers to integrate big zoom lenses without having the module protrude out of the back frame. The periscope lens uses a mirror reflection method to adjust zoom setting before the light hits the image sensor.

Gamer Without Right Hand Gets a 'Metal Gear Solid Bionic' Arm, Thanks to Konami and Open Bionics

2020-11-20T16:40:00.002+08:00

UK-based gamer Daniel Melville who happened to be born without a hand, is now getting a super cool bionic arm, thanks to publisher Konami as well as Open Bionics. The prosthetic arm that this gamer will get is based on the previous Venom Snake design that comes from "Metal Gear Solid" which is a stealth game mostly celebrated by gamers.

'Metal Gear Solid' Arm by Open Bionics

According to Melville's statement to OpenBionics, everything is still unbelievable and that the bionic arm was apparently "everything I've ever wanted." He then stated that he was a very avid gamer and that he also loves "Metal Gear Solid" so much. He then stated that to be able to actually have on Snake's official arm in real life "is just insane."

The game character of Venom Snake within "Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain," previously released back in 2015, had lost his arm in an explosion then was seen rocking a red and black bionic arm. This was also completely loaded with a detachable missile functionality as well as gadgets to be able to stun enemies.

Venom Snake bionic arm

The said Venom Snake bionic arm like the one that Daniel Melville is rocking is for below-elbow amputees and is said to easily clip onto the Open Bionics' Hero Arm, which is a multi-grip bionic arm. Melville's own bionic arm looks pretty much the same as the Venom Snake bionic arm seen in the game. Of course, minus all of the given weaponry.

The bionic arm is actually capable of allowing Melville to do everyday functions like gaming. Just like a real arm, the bionic arm works by using special sensors that are able to detect certain muscle movement and therefore resulting in the right movements of the bionic arm itself like twisting the risk, doing something with the fingers, gripping, pulling, etc.

Other Hero Arms: Iron Man, Frozen, Star-Wars, and More

Open Bionics is a company that comes from Bristol, England and makes use of 3D printing technology in order for it to be able to create these bionic arms for amputees that actually cost less than the traditional prosthetics being sold. Each arm contains the option of being accessorized with certain magnetic clip-on covers just like Melville's very own "Metal Gear Solid" Venom Snake cover.

Previously, the company, Open Bionics, was able to create Hero Arms that can actually still look like the red Iron Man gauntlet along with a vibrating repulsor, an arm like Elsa's sparkling blue gloves as seen in the hit movie "Frozen" back in 2013, Hero Adam Jensen's own metal arm coming from the game "Deus Ex: Human Revolution," and even a "Star-Wars" themed arm that also lights up the colored LED lights, reported by CNet.

PS5 pre-orders: You can reserve a PlayStation 5 at THESE retailers

2020-07-30T18:36:00.001+08:00

Hype for the PS5 launch is now at a quite ludicrous level, with gamers the world over-dying to get their hands on the next-gen new console from Sony.

And, with the product tipped to be a hot ticket item, for many ensuring they have a PS5 pre-order locked in is therefore paramount.

Well, many retailers are already very ready to go on PS5 pre-orders, with Sony just having to fire the starting gun.

What follows is a list of retailer pages where you can lodge your PS5 pre-order come the big day, which rumor has it could be landing within weeks.

And you would be right to want to lock-in a PS5 pre-order. Sony is expecting the console to sell like hotcakes and has had to close to double the production run of the system to keep pace.

So make sure these retailers are bookmarked so that you can make sure a PS5 is securely tucked under your tree come the winter holiday season.

Walmart
Walmart has one of the most impressive PS5 hubs on the market today. Not only does it deliver info about the console and its accessories, but it also has video trailers for the system and loads of its launch games. There's also a PS5 pre-order sign up mailing list, too, meaning that you can be notified immediately when PS5 pre-orders go live.

Amazon
Amazon's PS5 hub is really strong, with details about the console and accessory listed, as well as videos and games. Unlike some other retailers, though, there is no pre-order information sign-up list to fill in right now. Surely a matter of time, though.

Best Buy
Best Buy's PS5 hub leads on PS5 pre-order sign-ups, with users capable of inserting their mailing address to get notified about when PS5 pre-orders go live. There's also console info and specs and multiple game videos to watch. Accessories are also listed and explained. A strong hub all-round.

Target
Target's PS5 pre-order hub is more basic than the rest but still allows you to sign-up for email updates and delivers some basic information about the console, accessories and games that are incoming. Might be worth signing up for as Target is typically very competitive in terms of bundle deals.

Argos
UK retailer Argos has also got its game-on regarding the PS5 with a rudimentary hub showing a PS5 hype video and PS5 pre-order news sign-up. Argos are very good in terms of getting stock live quick, though, so we recommend UK users to keep an eye on this page for sure.

ShopTo
ShopTo is a stand-out right now as it is actually allowing gamers to pre-order the PS5 pre-order. For a penny users can pre-ordern a pre-order either for the full-fat console or the Digital Edition. When the consoles' prices are then finalised, and pre-orders open, the user is then guaranteed a console.

Very
Very has its own PS5 pre-order hub and gamers can now register their interest to be informed when PlayStation 5 pre-orders go live. As with many of the hubs, there is console and game info and video trailers available, too.

Currys
Currys has its own hub for registering your interest in the Sony PS5, with sign-ups now live. Visually this hub page isn't the strongest, but it delivers some info on launch games and the technological power of the PlayStation 5, too.

This TAG Heuer watch comes with a free Aston Martin

2019-03-10T13:56:00.000+08:00

TAG Heuer has teamed up with Aston Martin to create a striking limited edition DBS Superleggera, finished in Monaco Black paint with aggressive red accents around the vehicle.

If you're lucky enough to buy one of the cars, it'll be accompanied by a limited edition TAG Heuer watch, the DBS Edition Carrera Heuer 02, with design details which mimic the car.

Both the watch and the car are limited to just 50 examples.

The watch is powered by a Calibre Heuer Automatic manufacture movement. Its case is crafted from carbon fibre, and the watch face features hexagonal cut-outs which match the grille of the DBS.

The piece is finished with an embossed black calf leather strap which mirrors the leather inside the car.

The DBS Superleggera is powered by a 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12, and features satin black carbon fibre roof, mirrors, vents, louvres, splitter and spoiler. The bespoke specification also includes satin black 21” twin spoke wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero tyres with a red accent.

Inside, the DBS boasts pure black leather and alcantra seats with red stitching and bespoke TAG Heuer quilting, each displaying the TAG Heuer logo. Carbon fibre and dark chrome has been used throughout to finish off the cockpit.

Aston Martin Vice President & Chief Creative Officer, Marek Reichman said: “As soon as we knew about the partnership with TAG Heuer the idea of a special edition that reflected the design cues of both brands began to form in the minds of the design team here at Aston Martin.

"Both brands understand the importance of meticulous craftsmanship and creating beautifully designed and engineered products and the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition reflects those values beautifully.”

The Aston Martin DBS Superleggera TAG Heuer Edition is priced at £295,000.

Check out more images of the watch and car below:

Huawei P30 Pro: one of the most exciting rumours just got confirmed

2019-03-10T13:51:00.002+08:00

Huawei has already confirmed that it'll unveil a new batch of flagship smartphones, the P30 series, on March 26, 2019. Now, in what can only be described as a fairly unique marketing ploy, Huawei has started to reveal details about its as-yet unannounced handsets ahead of the hotly-anticipated press conference next month.

Huawei Vice President of Global Product Marketing Clement Wong has confirmed the P30 Pro will boast a new, periscope-style “superzoom” camera. Leaked images had already suggested the new flagship phone would include a 10x optical zoom feature akin to the system Oppo debuted at Mobile World Congress last month.

Huawei Vice President Wong stopped short of confirming exactly what level of zoom customers can expect from the next handset, refusing to confirm the rumoured 10x optical zoom functionality. However, Wong did tell AndroidCentral that the new periscope system would do “something nobody [has done] before," which could hint towards an even greater level of zoom than rival Oppo has managed, or could suggest Huawei has managed to squeeze a mechanical zooming lens onto the back of its next smartphone. Either way, we're very excited.

Wong also promised the P30 series will bring improvements to night mode. According to the executive, the new solution will be able to go further than “software-only” systems favoured by rivals – an extremely thinly-veiled jibe at the Night Sight feature rolled-out to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL last year.

As before, details were pretty thin on the ground.

Improvements to the night mode and 3x optical zoom features introduced with the Huawei P20 Pro last year make a lot of sense. It also explains why Huawei CEO Richard Yu chose a detailed photograph of the Moon to share as the first sample photograph shot on the P30 Pro, which was posted to Weibolast month.

According to leaked images shared earlier this month, both Huawei P30 and P30 Pro will sport a triple-camera set-up on the back of the flagship handset. It's unclear what the megapixel count will be, or exactly how the sensor on the Huawei-branded device will work. However, a Time Of Flight (ToF) sensor is rumoured to be in place on the P30 Pro, but not the standard P30 model.

Huawei will unveil the P30 and P30 Pro on March 26, 2019. T3 will be in the audience and bring you all the latest news as soon as it breaks. Stay tuned.

7 best VPN services for most people 2019

2019-03-01T21:41:00.002+08:00

VPN EXPLAINED: WHAT IS A VPN?

What do you need to know before you sign up for a VPN service?

So what even is a VPN? VPN stands for 'virtual private network' and it acts like a private, encrypted tunnel between you and the internet. In practice, it's like a private filter which completely anonymises you online - so no one can see who you are or what you're doing.

Even your internet service provider cannot see what you're doing, what you're downloading or where you're browsing to. So a VPN not only makes your connection completely private, it also makes it completely secure. The encryption that VPN services use is foolproof which means no one can hack into your device and steal your data.

The practical uses for a VPN service are plentiful. Want to access a website that your ISP has blocked? A VPN puts that website just one click away. Want to access the US version of Netflix from the UK? Just set your VPN to a US location and you're there. Want to access porn without your ISP or your business knowing about it? Want to download torrents without being blocked by your ISP? It's easy.

Most VPN services are available as apps for any and all of your devices - whether that's a Windows laptop, a Apple Mac, iPhone or iPad, Android device, Amazon Fire TV Stick or even Smart TV. And many allow you to log on from as many as 5 devices at once, so with one account you can secure and anonymise all of your gadgets.

You simply install the app, open it and tell it what you want your location to be. All the encryption is done in the background so simply by switching it on, it'll do all of the hard work for you.

THE BEST VPN FOR MOST PEOPLE:

1. EXPRESSVPN

Express VPN is the best all-round VPN service for most people, whether you want ot unblock websites, stay secure or keep your network super speedy

SPECIFICATIONS

Number of servers: 2000+

Server locations: 148 in 94 countries

IP addresses: 30,000

Maximum devices supported: 3

Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Routers, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, Smart TV and more

Offers: 30-money back guarantee and exclusive deal for T3 readers

REASONS TO BUY

+Available on any and all of your devices+Amazing customer support 24/7+Dial in to services in 94 countries

ExpressVPN has 148 locations in 94 different countries which means you can dial your IP address into 148 locations around the world. ExpressVPN delivers great performance - and it’s put the effort into its software too, with dedicated apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and BlackBerry as well as some Smart TVs, Amazon Fire TV Sticks, Apple TV, PS4 and Xbox and even your router. Not only that but there are solid online tutorials too, so even if VPNs are dark magic to you they’ll have you up and running in no time. P2P is fully supported and it's super speedy so you can torrent using the maximum bandwidth of your broadband connection and there’s a kill switch that keeps your IP address hidden if anything goes wrong with the VPN or with your internet connection. ExpressVPN is reasonably priced, delivers a good service and has support for three simultaneous connections. There’s no free trial available but there is a no-fuss 30-day money back guarantee if the service doesn’t meet your requirements so that's a good way to test it out if you're unsure. We have used the 24/7 customer service a number of times and can vouch for its effectiveness - we had a couple of issues with using the service on a PC and were able to sort it within a few minutes using the instant online chat support.

Exclusive offer - save 49%: T3 readers also get 3 months free with all annual ExpressVPN plans - 15 months for the price of 12!

2. IPVANISH

A superb VPN service especially for torrenting and downloading lots of data

SPECIFICATIONS

Number of servers: 950+

Server locations: 60+

IP addresses: 40000+

Maximum devices supported: 5

REASONS TO BUY

+Brilliant speeds+Great apps for all devices+Reliable brand+Use 5 devices at once

IPVanish is one of the most recognisable names among all the VPN services out there. They've been going for years and if you've read about VPNs in the past you've probably seen some of their ads! IPVanish certainly isn’t going after the budget market here but it's still a bit cheaper than ExpressVPN. Like Express, IPVanish doesn’t offer a free trial (although there is a seven day money back guarantee if the service doesn’t live up to your expectations). It promises to be the world’s fastest VPN, with more than 40,000 IP addresses, 850 servers in 60 countries, unlimited peer to peer sharing and up to five simultaneous connections. That's certainly a bonus over ExpressVPN which only offers three connections at a time - IPVanish could be the better option for you if you want to get the whole family on one plan, for example. There’s a no logging policy, too, which means the service isn’t gathering stacks of data about what you’re doing.

3. VYPRVPN

A reliable VPN service for performance and security

SPECIFICATIONS

Number of servers: 700+

Server locations: 73

IP addresses: 200,000+

Maximum devices supported: 3-5

REASONS TO BUY

+Great speeds+Good value VPN options+Free trial+Use 3/5 devices at once

Switzerland is famed for its privacy-friendly legislation, and that’s where VyprVPN operates from - although its servers operate in 72 other countries to deliver unlimited data. If you’re used to VPN services absolutely killing your data speeds you’ll be positively surprised by VyprVPN: we found that our data speeds actually increased when we enabled the VPN! Not only that but there are plenty of useful options including auto-connect, a kill-switch and enhanced security via the service’s proprietary Chameleon protocol and its own DNS. VyprVPN has a free trial too so you can try it our and see what you think before you commit!

4. NORDVPN

One of the biggest names in VPN is highly recommended

SPECIFICATIONS

Number of servers: 3500+

Server locations: 60+

IP addresses: N/A

Maximum devices supported: 6

REASONS TO BUY

+Great apps+Use 6 devices at once+Good speeds+Reliable brand

Central America isn’t the first place you’d think of when it comes to cutting edge technology, but NordVPN is up there with the best VPN services in 2019. It has 1015 servers in 59 countries, supports up to six devices simultaneously, runs 2048-bit encryption and has a feature list including an automatic kill switch, dedicated IP addresses, strong DNS leak protection and the ability to pay in Bitcoin. For relatively short connections performance was superb, although we did notice a little latency creeping in from time to time for very long distance connections. However, browsing remained snappy and performance wasn’t degraded significantly. We’d recommend hunting the site for its free trial and if you like it, signing up for the 3-year plan which is currently going for just $99!

(Image: © Tunnelbear)

5. TUNNELBEAR

A super easy to use VPN service for newbies

SPECIFICATIONS

Number of servers: ~1,000

Server locations: 20+

IP addresses: N/A

Maximum devices supported: 5

REASONS TO BUY

+Extremely user-friendly+Wide range of client software+Transparent privacy policy

REASONS TO AVOID

-Long-distance connections can be slower

TunnelBear is designed for a very specific group of people: people who want a VPN service but don’t want to mess around with configuration or become IT experts to make their connections more secure. And it caters brilliantly for that market, with a very straightforward interface and jargon-free writing. In truth, all of the VPN services these days do this but TunnelBear tries very hard to stand out. It’s not for power users - there isn’t much you can change - but with up to five simultaneous connections, servers across 20 countries and decent performance on US and Canadian websites. Longer connections can be slower, though: it’s when the relatively small number of server locations makes itself obvious. There’s a free version that limits you to 500MB of monthly traffic, and if you pay annually the price of the full version drops from $9.99 to $4.99 per month.

6. WINDSCRIBE

A great VPN service offering unlimited connections

SPECIFICATIONS

Number of servers: 348

Server locations: 50

IP addresses: N/A

Maximum devices supported: Unlimited

REASONS TO BUY

+Unlimited device connections+10GB of monthly data+Free plan available

REASONS TO AVOID

-Average speeds

Windscribe offers unlimited device connections. Yes you heard that right! The reason is that unlike the others above on this list, it doesn't offer unlimited data. So you're limited by bandwidth and data, not by devices. You get 10GB every month, and there's a free plan also but that only allows one device. There are apps for Windows, Mac and iOS but not Android, and the service also offers browser add-ons with useful features such as ad-blocking. Short range performance (to US sites) is good, but we noticed lag with transatlantic connections. However, if you’re looking to protect the data from a whole bunch of devices - an office, perhaps, or just a smart home - the support for unlimited connections is a real stand-out feature.

7. HOTSPOT SHIELD

A well known VPN service that's just not quite as good as the others above

SPECIFICATIONS

Number of servers: 2000

Server locations: 20

IP addresses: N/A

Maximum devices supported: 5

REASONS TO BUY

+Low price+Great download speeds+7-day trial

REASONS TO AVOID

-Few server locations

How much should a VPN cost? Hotspot Shield can be as little as £119.99 for a lifetime or £5.99 a month if you'd rather sign up for a year. For your money you get a decent range of features including up to five devices, private browsing, virtual locations and good if not stellar performance: we did notice a slight increase in latency when Hotspot Shield was enabled, although it wasn’t too dramatic. There’s a seven-day trial that gives you more than enough time to put it through its paces.

Xiaomi 5G Mi MIX 3 is just £520 and you can buy it this May

2019-03-01T21:39:00.001+08:00

Xiaomi has today announced its first 5G-ready smartphone, Mi MIX 3 5G. Taking to the stage in Barcelona at MWC 2019, Xiaomi showed off its new super-fast handset, which will be available to buy this May. And it comes at a very Xiaomi-like (affordable) price.

As the name suggests, the MIX 3 5G takes the existing Mi MIX 3 and adds 5G wireless technology using the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 mobile platform with the Snapdragon X50 modem.

Xiaomi says its set its sights on a 5G solution in May 2016 by establishing a team to start exploratory research on 5G standards. It then developed strategic 5G partnerships with service providers such as 3, Sunrise, TIM, Vodafone and others.

With the announcement of Mi MIX 3 5G, Xiaomi is now one of the first smartphone manufacturers to produce a 5G phone for commercial use.

“Xiaomi has spent tremendous efforts developing a 5G smartphone solution and Mi MIX 3 5G represents Xiaomi’s quest to create innovative products for everyone,” said Wang Xiang, Senior Vice President of Xiaomi. "We are also delighted and honored to be working with our partners to make 5G a reality for even more users all over the world."

To support applications requiring high-levels of device performance during extended periods of use, such as multi-player gaming or live streaming, Xiaomi says it has developed a "highly-advanced" hybrid cooling system for Mi MIX 3 5G. A thermal material apparently quickly captures heat generated by the device under demanding scenarios and delays temperature increases. Then, a passive heat pipe composed of six layers of graphite disperses heat at "a speed three times faster than a typical dual graphite sheet."

Camera-wise, the Mi MIX 3 5G inherits the same 12MP AI dual camera from Mi MIX 3. For selfies, Mi MIX 3 5G offers a 24MP + 2MP dual camera setup. It also continues with the MIX 3 pop-up camera via a magnetic slider, which can be customised to perform functions such as answering calls or starting up the camera app. The slider design means that the bezels are super-thin, achieving a high screen-to-body ratio. That screen, by the way, is a 6.39” 2340 x 1080 FHD+ Samsung AMOLED display with an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

MI MIX 3 5G PRICE AND RELEASE DATE
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"5G is here, right now in 2019. 2019 is the year of 5G!" proclaimed Xiaomi on stage at MWC. "This transition will be faster than the 4G transition. We have a mature smartphone user base and educated users. So we expect to see a much faster transition. Xiaomi is very well positioned to capitalise on this opportunity."

The Mi MIX 3 5G will be available this May, with a starting price of €599 (about £520), in Onyx Black and Sapphire Blue.

New limited edition GoPro Hero7 Black is an essential for winter sports enthusiasts

2019-03-01T21:36:00.004+08:00

GoPro is releasing the Hero7 Black in Dusk White. It's ideal if you want a top of the range GoPro, but also want to stand out with a bright, limited-edition design.

This is the first time GoPro has released a special colourway of its flagship camera, and could pave the way for even more designs.

We think it's perfect for recording your adventures in the snow (just don't drop it) and, as you can see from the images below, it looks great strapped to a surfboard as well.

Apart from the new colour, nothing else about the Hero7 Black has changed, so you still get the ability to create super-smooth, stabilised videos with Hypersmooth, and eye-catching TimeWarp clips.

Hero7 Black is also the first GoPro to live stream to Facebook and YouTube, so you can share your story as you live it.

That's not all GoPro announced today. The adrenaline-filled brand has partnered with MotoGP legend, Valentino Rossi, to create a neon yellow Sleeve emblazoned with Rossi’s race number, 46.

This special-edition accessory joins the current lineup of blue, white, red, black and pink Sleeves.

GoPro Hero7 Black in Dusk White will retail for £379.99, while the Valentino Rossi Sleeve + Lanyard is priced at £19.99.

Both will be available from GoPro and selected retailers on Saturday, March 2nd.

These limited edition watch winders are a necessity for any automatic watch owner

2019-02-26T23:13:00.000+08:00

If you own an automatic watch, or several automatic watches, a watch winder is pretty much an essential item (especially if said watches have a GMT or Perpetual Calendar function).

They act as a storage solution for your treasured timepieces, and keep them ticking away, ready to wear at a moments notice.

One of our favourite watch winding brands is Barrington Watch Winders, a company based in Buckinghamshire.

Barrington has recently released a selection of special edition watch winders, made from MDF with wood veneers to avoid any warping.

They started life at the end of 2017 when Barrington launched 14 prototypes and asked its followers to choose which ones they'd like to put in production.

After overwhelming feedback, six special edition winders were put into production with under 150 made as part of the collection.

Each special edition winder is assembled by hand in the UK, with mabuchi motors inside the casing to ensure silent running.

The special editions are available in the following styles: Ebony Macassar, Zebrano (Unvarnished), Oak (Unvarnished), Grey Koto, American Walnut (Unvarnished), Santos Rosewood.

Each comes with a choice of either a standard cushion (for larger wrists) or a flex cushion (for smaller wrists).

The limited edition watch winders retail for £299 in the UK or $395 in the US.

MWC 2019 news and reviews: Huawei announces 5G, folding Mate X, and there's plenty more to come

2019-02-25T22:28:00.001+08:00

MWC 2019 is here. Or at least it is if you're a journalist rushing between pre-event briefings. MWC (Mobile World Congress) is where the phone industry descends on Barcelona to talk shop, when not sat in traffic jams. That means mucho smartphone launches and exciting developments with high-speed 5G devices and 5G networks.

In MWC years gone by we've seen flagship handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S9 and LG G6 make their debut, and MWC 2019 will be our best chance yet to see what today's biggest phone makers have to offer for the next 12 months.

Samsung released its big phones at its Unpacked event this year but there is still a huge buzz around MWC 2019. That's because this is the the year of folding phones and 5G, which both feel new and important, and also because the new breed of Chinese mobile brands are all innovating like crazy at the moment, finding ways to pack new and cutting-edge features into often comparatively affordable phones.

WHEN IS MWC 2019?

This year Mobile World Congress is happening from Monday 25 February to Thursday 28 February. Some of the major players usually schedule press events beforehand, so news is going to start appearing on Saturday 23 February and Sunday 24 February.

Everything happens in Barcelona, primarily at the Fira Gran Via event hall. The show isn't open to the public, by the way – you have to be in the industry or a member of the press to get a ticket, but we'll be there and we'll keep you right up to date with everything that's happening.

HUAWEI AT MWC 2018

Huawei's teaser image for MWC 2019

If the big stories of MWC and smartphones in general in 2019 are 5G and folding phones then Huawei seem to have it nailed, as it's just formally announced the Huawei Mate X, which is both foldy, and 5G-ified. Screen stats: there's a 6.6-inch front screen with 19.5:9 aspect ratio, a 6.38-inch rear screen with a 25:9 aspect ratio and when you fully unfold the X, you're presented with an 8-inch tablet, 'FullView' screen with 8:7.1 aspect ratio and 2,480 x 2,200 pixel resolution.

We'll have a hands-on review shortly but if appearances are anything to go by, you might want to reconsider any Samsung Fold shopping plans you had.

Before they got on to the Mate X, there was also word of the Huawei Matebook X Pro, which looks set to give Apple's MacBook Pro a run for its money. It's a Windows laptop that weighs just 1.33kg and has a battery that lasts 12-14 hours.

Could this be an elaborate double bluff? (No).

There was a rather heavy 'hint' of this in Huawei's billboard at the MWC venue, so this did not come as a huge shock. The image on the invite further up also looks a lot like a folding device with the glowing screen on the outside, now we come to think of it.

We know Huawei will not be launching its Huawei P30 and P30 Pro phones at MWC 2019, as those handsets have been confirmed by Huawei for a Paris launch on March 26.

As well as a folding, 5G Huawei handset at MWC 2019, we may also see a folding Huawei phonewithout 5G, and a 5G phone that doesn't fold. Who knows?

LG AT MWC 2019

LG has said it will unveil a 5G handset at Mobile World Congress 2019

When it comes to MWC 2019, the BIG news from LG is that it has unveiled its first ever 5G phone, the (deep breath, now) LG V50 ThinQ 5G.

While the new device packs lighting fast 5G connectivity, which would make it a direct rival to Samsung's 5G Galaxy S10 and Huawei' Mate X 5G (see above) in 2019, contrary to certain rumours in the run-up to MWC, there's no camera system that packs 16 lenses. It just has a frankly piffling three rear-mounted cameras and two front-facing ones. What is the world coming to?

It's not really a folding phone in the way that the Mate X and Fold are, but there is the option of attaching a second screen, to give you something a bit like a next-gen Nintendo DS.

The 5G LG phone can be hooked to an extra panel, turning it very successfully into a Nintendo Game + Watch for the 21st century

What hasn't been announced about the new 5G LG phone, though, is its internal hardware specs. However, the rumour on the mobile grape vine right now is that it will come loaded with Qualcomm's new flagship Snapdragon 855 processor, as well as a beefy 4,000 mAh battery.

Unlike some 5G devices that have already been announced, LG has also confirmed that the phone will be available outside of South Korea, too, with the European and North American markets a big focus.

The LG Q60, the LG K50 and the LG K40

Also unveiled were the LG G8 ThinQ as well as r other mid-range devices.

While the G8 ThinQ isn't as expensive or as flashy as the 5G handset, it will feature an innovative technology that utilises the phone’s OLED display as an audio amplifier. Crystal Sound OLED (CSO) repurposes the display as a diaphragm, vibrating the entire surface to produce what LG promises is "sound with impressive volume." We're looking forward to trying it with some heavy dubstep at the launch.

Three additional mid-range devices have also been confirmed for an MWC launch by LG: the LG Q60, the LG K50 and the LG K40. The Q60 and K50 feature a 6.26-inch screen while the K40 has a smaller 5.7-inch display. The LG Q60 sports three rear cameras, the K50 has dual rear cameras and the K40 has a single rear camera.

Both the LG Q60 and LG K50 are powered by a 3,500mAh battery while the K40 gets a smaller 3,000mAh unit.

All three handsets feature a dedicated Google Assistant button, fingerprint sensor and DTS:X 3D Surround Sound.

NOKIA AT MWC 2019

Nokia 9 Pureview has an arguably excessive 5-camera, 60-megapixel, 2x colour and 3x monochrome array stuck to its rear end

While LG's new 5G flagship might only have had a mere 2 front-facing cameras and 3 rear ones, Nokia (HMD) properly pushed the boat out with a five camera array on the back of its Nokia 9 Pureview. Everyone is now familiar with the idea that pure megapixels don't make a great camera, but this has 60 megapixels and five lenses, so you'd have to assume it can take decent photos.

The lens array looks slightly grotesque, like a spider's eyes, but it can successfully focus on subjects anywhere from 7cm to 40 metres away and lets in more light than standard phone cameras.

• Feast your eyes on the full splendour of Nokia's 9 PureView mega cam.

XIAOMI AT MWC 2019

Also bounding onto the 5G bandwagon with a mighty leap is China's Xiaomi. Its Mi Mix 3 will also feature 5G, and cost just £520 when it debuts in May 2019. This affordable marvel democratises access to 5G by sitting on a platform built from Qualcomm's Snapdragon 855 SoC and its Snapdragon X50 modem. Even better, a cooling system built around a six-layer graphite heat pipe should mean this platform doesn't melt in your hands like chocolate.

Xiaomi also flaunted its Mi 9. This launches next week (28 February 2019), at the practically give-away price of €449 (about £390) for a 6GB RAM + 64GB storage version, and from €499 (about £434) for the 128GB incarnation.

SAMSUNG AT MWC 2019

The Samsung Galaxy S10 range was unveiled at an event just before MWC 2019

Samsung traditionally puts on a big show at Mobile World Congress, but MWC 2019 will be slightly different: the Samsung Galaxy S10, S10 Plus and S10E were launched just before the event.

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event took place on February 20, 2019 and at the show, the company officially launched the Samsung Galaxy S10e, the Samsung Galaxy S10 and the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus. It also took the wraps off the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G.

We assume that all of those handsets will make a second appearance on Samsung's stand at MWC.

The Samsung Galaxy S10

FOLDABLE PHONES FROM SAMSUNG, HUAWEI AND LG?

The Samsung Galaxy Fold

The other big bit of news from Unpacked was that Samsung showed off the final version of its highly anticipated folding the the Samsung Galaxy Fold.

However, while it was shown on stage, it was not available for us, or any other journalists, to get our hands on. There are likely two explanations for that. The first is that the phone is not quite final and so Samsung didn't want people to try it out and complain of bugs. That said, it must be close to final as it goes on sale at the end of April. The second possible explanation is that the phone is fully working and Samsung wanted to hold something back for MWC. So perhaps MWC will be our first opportunity to go hands on with the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Or perhaps we'll just get to look at one inside a locked display cabinet. We'll find out for sure next week when we're at show.

If Samsung does take the Galaxy Fold to MWC it might not have everything all its own way in terms of foldable phone technology. Huawei has a foldable phone in the works that looks set make its debut at MWC and throw in 5G as well.

Indeed, Huawei has recently teased the arrival of a folding phone in its teaser for MWC 2019, so it now looks very likely that something along these lines is going to be shown off. It might not be available to buy, it might still be a prototype, but we should see a foldable phone from Huawei at MWC 2019. And given how good recent Huawei handsets have been, a folding Huawei phone will certainly be one that generates a lot of interest.

There are also rumours of folding phones from LG and Motorola, though LG recently said that it's too early for it to be making a folding phone, so don't expect to see the LG Bendi at the event. It's also possible that Xiaomi's folding phone prototype might make a public appearance.

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SONY AT MWC 2018

Another Sony Xperia phone is on the way at MWC 2019

The freshest news about Sony's incoming Xperia XZ4 flagship phone is how it is bringing the fight to the Samsung Galaxy S10 at MWC 2019 with a massive battery and class-leading camera system.

The powerful new phone is slated to come with a 4,400 mAh battery, which beats the reported 4,100 mAh battery unit coming in the S10 Plus and absolutely dwarfs the 3,300 mAh unit called to come in the standard S10.

Regarding that class-leading camera setup, a recent leak has suggested that the XZ4 will feature a triple camera setup where the main camera will capture at a very impressive 52-megapixels, the best of any phone.

Based on the rumours we've heard so far, the Sony Xperia XZ4 will come running the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor, as well as boasting a 6.2-inch screen in a tall 21:9 aspect ratio designed by its Bravia engineering team. That skinny aspect ratio was pretty much confirmed by Sony in a tweet to confirm its MWC press conference, which read "Embrace a new perspective". The press conference takes place at 08.45 CET on Monday 25 February.

Sony phones have lagged a little behind the competition in terms of design in recent years, but the Xperia XZ4 is being tipped to be a fantastic-looking phone as well as a very powerful one. Considering the company's expertise in screen and camera technology, this should be well worth waiting for.

Considering Sony has been working with a six-month cycle for its flagship phone launches, and that Sony usually has an event at Mobile World Congress, it's highly probable that the Sony Xperia XZ4 will be at least shown off at MWC 2019 – even if it doesn't go on sale to the masses straight away.

As well as a new full size Xperia, there may also be an accompanying Compact version, if Sony's launch history is anything to go by.

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NOKIA AT MWC 2018

This elaborate camera mechanism could be shown off at MWC 2019

Nokia had a strong showing at MWC 2018, so it may well be back for more this year – keep your eyes peeled for the Nokia 9 making its bow, especially because it looks set to pack a truly astonishing amount of cameras.

This is a phone that's been a long time coming, so if it does appear at MWC 2019, there's likely to be a lot of interest around it.

XIAOMI AT MWC 2019

Xiaomi's Senior Vice President Xiang Wang tweeted that the Xiaomi Mi 9 would be launched on February 24, which we assume will be at MWC. The tweet was accompanied with an image showing the handset's iridescent blue/green back and its triple camera, which was later confirmed to be a 48MP set-up. The handset will be powered by a Snapdragon 855 processor and will feature an in-screen fingerprint reader and dedicated Google Assistant button. Here's everything we know about the Xiaomi Mi 9 so far.

It has also been said that Xiaomi will "possibly" be launching its Mi Mix 3 5G at MWC this year.

HONOR AT MWC 2019

Although we don't exactly know what Honor will be announcing at MWC, the company has sent out media invites for a briefing on Tuesday 26 February. The invite is titled "See the game changer" which hints at a phone that's optimised for gaming. In other words, a fast one with AI smarts, quite possibly powered by the same Kirin 980 processor that's in the Honor View 20. Or perhaps the View 20 is the phone that the invite refers to. We'll be at the event so we'll let you know.

ONEPLUS, HTC, OPPO AND... ENERGIZER?

Will the OnePlus 7 look like this?

Of the other big names, we're not sure what (if anything) the likes of OnePlus and HTC are going to bring to MWC 2019. There's a chance we'll see some new hardware from these two manufacturers, but it's still a little early for the HTC U13 or the OnePlus 7.

Oppo should be in attendance as well, increasing its visibility in Europe and the US, though as for specific handsets we haven't heard much from the rumour mill so far.

We might just get a preview of Oppo's new camera technology, which offers up 10x optical zoom, apparently, though the company is also said to have a foldable phone in the works.

Smaller names will be making a splash too: Energizer (the battery company) has said it's going to be unveiling no fewer than 26 handsets at MWC 2019, so expect phones with huge batteries and perhaps a pop-up selfie camera or two as well. It's also promising one of these phones will be foldable, though quite how advanced the tech is going to be, we're not sure.

WILL APPLE AND GOOGLE BE AT MWC 2019?

Both Apple and Google usually save their phone launches for their own events. Apple doesn't like mixing with its rivals so will be a MWC 2019 no-show, but Google will be there supporting its Android partners and promoting its mobile offerings, even though it is almost certain it won't have any new devices to unveil at the event. The Google Pixel 4, Pixel 3 Lite, new Google Home and Pixel Watch will all be coming later this year.

So it looks as though this year's show is going to be quite something. T3 will be there from Saturday 23 February bringing you news and early reviews of all the key phones.

Nokia 9 PureView has a five camera array capable of shooting 60MP photographs

2019-02-25T22:25:00.001+08:00

HMD Global, the Finnish company that owns and sells smartphones under the Nokia brand, has taken the wraps off its latest range of handsets at the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.

The star of the show is the all-new Nokia 9 PureView. From the front, the new smartphone looks almost indistinguishable from the recent slew of Android-powered rivals. It has a 6-inch OLED display protected by Gorilla Glass 5 to avoid scratches and scuffs, a 20MP front-facing selfie camera, and runs Android 9.0 Pie. There's also an in-display fingerprint scanner, like the Samsung Galaxy S10, Huawei Mate 20 Pro and OnePlus 6T.

However, flip over the Nokia 9 PureView and it's immediately clear this is a very different proposal. Nokia has fitted its new flagship with a five-camera array, which is arranged in a circular pattern on the back of the handset.

Honestly, the design of the new camera looks a lot like a spider's eye. Nokia says the cameras have been arranged in that particular pattern in part because it leaves enough space for the 3,320mAh battery cell, and because it looks aesthetically pleasing – something that some arachnophobes might query.

Nokia 9 PureView includes two RGB f/1.8 12-megapixels sensors and three monochrome f/1.8 12-megapixel sensors. There's also a dual-tone LED flash and a Time Of Flight (ToF) sensor for video capture, too.

All five cameras will fire each time you press the shutter, Nokia says. For those who struggle with maths, that results in a single 60-megapixel photograph. Nokia 9 PureView is also capable of panoramas, which can quickly tot up to more than 240-megapixels.

Obviously, it's not all about the number of megapixels, but those who want to blow-up their images onto canvases and posters should take a look at the Nokia 9 PureView.

While most smartphones typically only use RGB camera sensors in their rear-mounted set-ups, HMD Global says it chose to add more monochrome sensors because of the sheer amount of detail these can capture. According to the company, the monochrome sensors are able to capture 2.5 times more light than the RGB counterparts.

Each of the five lens on the back of the handset has a different exposure level to capture even moreinformation each time you hit the shutter button.

So, what is Nokia doing with all of this information? One of the most interesting features is the ability to adjust the focus of a photograph after it has been taken. While the Galaxy S10 and iPhone XS allow owners to adjust the amount of bokeh-style blur behind the subject of the photograph, Nokia allows you to completely change what object is the focal subject of the image. Using the preinstalled Google Photos app, you can make the background out of focus to highlight the foreground or vice versa.

According to HMD Global, the Nokia 9 PureView is able to focus on subjects anywhere from 7cm to 40 metres away from its rear-mounted cameras. While most rival smartphones have around 10 layers in the depth-map generated by their multi-camera systems, Nokia 9 PureView has a jaw-dropping 1,200 layers.

That's a lot. Crucially, it means you don't have to decide exactly what the final image will look like when you're composing your shot. You can always overhaul the entire photograph at a later date. Of course, you can save multiple different options, since the changes are non-destructive, which can result in some stylish results.

The Nokia 9 PureView is powered by the Qualcomm SnapDragon 855, coupled with 6GB of RAM and a new imaging co-processor developed Light. This new chipset helps to take some of the strain off the SnapDragon 855 to avoid battery life suffering. As a result, HMD Global says its new Nokia 9 PureView should still last a day and half before it needs to be recharged.

The huge amount of processing grunt inside the new flagship Nokia coupled with the Light co-processor means the five-camera is still capable of shooting 60-megapixel images in a burst mode. Nokia concedes that it might take a while little before the full-resolution images are processed and ready to edit. However, a smaller 2MB thumbnail will be available instantaneously in Google Photos.

Nokia 9 PureView saves images in JPEG, as well as RAW. According to the company, RAW images typically take up between 30MB – 50MB of memory. There's 128GB of built-in storage, which should be enough to handle your next holiday snaps. There's a dual-purpose secondary SIM card / MicroSD card slot, so as long as you're not too bothered by having multiple lines on your new Nokia, you can add up to 512GB additional storage for your photos.

The 4K video capture is handled by a single lens, which is likely to disappoint those who hoped the borderline-excessive array of cameras would be used to produce some interesting, original new video effects.

When it comes to viewing those megapixel-packed photographs, Nokia has spared no expense. Its latest handset boasts a 5.99-inch Quad HD+ pOLED display. It has a 18:9 aspect ratio and a 2K resolution, which should be more than enough to view those stunning cameras.

Elsewhere, the Nokia 9 PureView is rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, which means it should be able to take high-resolution depth-map photos in the water. There's also Qi wireless charging – but no headphone port. So, if you want to listen to music you'll be forced to use Bluetooth or USB-C headphones.

The Nokia 9 PureView has a $699 global RRP. There's no word on UK pricing on SIM-free or contract handsets, but we'll update this article as soon as we hear. Release date will be announced in due course, Nokia says.