HMD Global has officially launched the new Nokia 7 smartphone in China. This new model promises to offer many flagships features that people are looking for without the hefty price tag of the Nokia 8. The body is made of 7000 series aluminum and thermoformed glass on the front and back. The Nokia 7’s 16-megapixel rear camera has an f/1.8 aperture lens. You get the same “bothie” mode as the Nokia 8, allowing you to capture frames with the front and rear cameras simultaneously. . You can also live stream to Facebook or YouTube using both cameras simultaneously, right from the default camera app. The Nokia 7 also has a 5.2-inch full-HD display, octa-core Snapdragon 630 SoC, 4 GB or 6 GB RAM, 64 GB storage, a 5-megapixel front camera, and a 3000 mAh battery. It runs Android 7 and will be updated to Android 8.
Oppo is unveiling three Oppo F5 variants at the launch event. Oppo will launch three variants of its upcoming F5 smartphone instead of just one, as previously expected. A poster spotted in Thailand hints at the existence of the Oppo F5, Oppo F5 6GB, and Oppo F5 Youth, all of which could be unveiled at the company’s upcoming event on October 26 in the Philippines. All continue the selfie-focused positioning of the F-series and boast an AI-powered beautification mode. The Oppo F5 and Oppo F5 6GB appear to have dual front cameras, while the F5 Youth is likely aimed at a more budget-conscious audience. All three are said to have tall 18:9 full HD+ displays with narrow bezels and a facial recognition feature.
Google Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL Get Torn And Tortured In Front Of The Camera The inevitable iFixit teardown of the Google Pixel 2 XL has been published. The website has revealed how the Pixel 2 XL’s squeezable edge sensors work. A strain gauge on each side of the phone is made up of steel blocks with resistors in between, which can detect physical pressure. This is then used as a trigger to open Google Assistant. The teardown revealed Google’s new Pixel Visual Core SoC and hidden antennas.
Another regular feature of top-end phone launches is the JerryRigEverything torture test video, and Google’s new flagship, the Pixel 2, seems to be underperforming compared to its rivals. The premium coating that Google is so proud of is quite easy to scratch and can easily remove from the metal frame. The device is also easily bent, and ground, and the screen does not withstand exposure to fire very well.
At least on the software side, users are assured of a long-term plan — Google has confirmed that both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will receive updates for at least the next three years. All major Android updates delivered before October 2020 are compatible with both phones. Both may still receive updates after that, but this is not guaranteed. Of course, there is no guarantee that third-party apps will continue to support this hardware.
HTC teases upcoming U-series models HTC has teased the launch of another U-series smartphone on November 2, posting on Twitter that it will bring back the “Brilliant U”. According to reports, the company could unveil one or two models at an event in Taiwan, the alleged U11 Plus and possibly another called the U11 Life. The U11 Plus would be an improved version of the flagship U11 with a 4000mAh battery and a larger 18:9 screen. It could have 4 GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 835 SoC, with the possibility of a variant with 6 GB of RAM. The HTC U11 Life is slated for a lower price point, with a 5.2-inch display, Snapdragon 630 SoC, and 16-megapixel front and rear cameras, plus 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage or 4GB. RAM and 64 GB of storage.
iOS 11 bug allows attackers to access photo libraries on locked iPhones. A bug discovered in iOS 11 could enable strangers fully access your photo library, as found by a YouTube channel called device help. The process is complicated and requires physical access to the target phone and the victim’s FaceTime ID. The attacker must make a FaceTime call from another iPhone to the victim and then go through specific steps. iOS then allows the attacker to decline another incoming FaceTime call and compose an iMessage for the caller, including the ability to attach photos from the phone’s camera roll. The attacker can then scroll through the phone’s entire photo library and send themselves anything they want, just as if it were unlocked. The operator of the channel says it has informed Apple of the problem. It affects both iOS 11.0.3 and iOS 11.1 betas.
Google Play Store Gets Android Instant Apps Section Google has started promoting Android Instant Apps with a new Try It Now section in the Google Play Store. Instant Apps can be used without downloading and installing on the user’s device first. There are only six apps in the section, and it is not showing up in the Indian Google Play Store yet. Instant Apps were first announced at Google’s IO conference in 2016 and require modular programming.
The company also announced this week that it would charge app developers a smaller commission on subscriptions sold in-app starting in January. It will cut its share of any sale from 30 percent to 15 percent, which is in line with the policy Apple announced a while ago.
Amazon Alexa Integration Coming to Moto Mod, Logitech Speakers Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant is popping up in more and more places, starting with a snap-on Moto Mod smart speaker accessory for the Moto Z series. The speaker has been launched in the US and costs $150 (approximately Rs. 9,800). This follows the launch of the Moto X4 with Alexa already integrated. The new Moto Speaker with Amazon Alexa has stereo speakers and four microphones that can pick up voice commands even when playing music. It also has a 1530mAh battery. It works just like any other Alexa smart speaker.
Logitech has also unveiled a new line of Bluetooth speakers called the UE Blast and UE Megablast models, which replace the UE Boom and UE Megaboom. Both feature Alexa integration that lets you stream audio directly from online services, including Amazon Music, and control playback with voice commands. Both models can work independently via Wi-Fi and pair with a Bluetooth device but do not have 3.5mm inputs. The Bluetooth-based Double Up and Party Up features of the previous models have also been dropped. Both models also have an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance, making them well-suited for outdoor use.
Samsung’s flagship phones for Linux, new premium VR camera announced Samsung has announced that its Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 smartphones will soon be able to run Linux-based desktop OS environments, thanks to the functionality provided by the DeX desktop accessory. The Linux on Galaxy feature allows users to work with various Linux distributions on their phones and use a connected monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It is primarily aimed at developers and promises a fully functional development environment. The company allows interested users to sign up for updates but has not said when the feature will be rolled out for actual use.
Samsung has also just launched a new VR content camera, the Samsung 360 Round, which is shaped like a disc and has 17 lenses arranged around the perimeter and top. There are eight pairs of stereo lenses around the body, with one pointing upward at the top. It is capable of streaming 4K video and spatial audio. A price has not yet been announced, although it could exceed $10,000.
Demand for iPhone 8 is described as “anemic” by the US and Canadian carriers. Cellular service providers in the US and Canada have described demand for iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus as “anemic.” Shares of Apple are down nearly 3 percent due to lower demand for this generation of iPhones compared to previous years. The impact of the iPhone X announcement and the fact that it hasn’t launched yet also factor into these findings, although some airline executives believe the high price will deter users and not offset the current slump. Recent reports also suggest that the iPhone 7 outperforms the iPhone 8.
