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Showing posts from March, 2020

Huawei's Flagship P40 Pro+ Is Pushing The Limits Of What A Smartphone Camera Can Do

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© Screenshot: Huawei Screenshot: Huawei Huawei typically likes to use its P-Series phones as a vessel to show off its fancy new camera tech. With the loss of Google services, and a growing range of bans on its products in international markets the latest P-Series phone needs to be extraordinary. If the new features on the P40 (particularly the P40 Pro+) are any indication, people with access to Huawei's phones are in for a treat. Similar to Samsung's Galaxy S20 line, the P40 line is split between three different models: the standard P40, the P40 Pro, and the P40 Pro+, with the latter being the only one to feature all of Huawei's new tech. That means not only does the P40 Pro+ come with a 50-MP primary wide-angle camera, a 40-MP ultra-wide Cine Lens, an 8-MP 3x telephoto lens, and a 3D time-of-flight camera, the Pro+ also gets another 8-MP 10x optical zoom lens. And when those two zoom lenses are combined, Huawei claims it has created the world's...

Global smartphone sales fell 14% in February due to coronavirus

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(Reuters) — Global smartphone sales tumbled 14% in February as the coronavirus spread in China and overseas, Counterpoint Research said on Thursday, a likely harbinger of more declines as outbreaks worsen in many parts of the world. The outbreak prompted Apple and other smartphone makers to shut their China stores in February and government data suggests Apple sold less than 500,000 smartphones in the mainland Chinese market during the month. China, which saw sales drop 38% in February from a year earlier, is now showing signs of recovery with many stores re-opening in mid-March. There are also signs of recovery in South Korea, but for other parts of the world, "the worst is yet to come," said Jean Park, a senior analyst at Counterpoint. Smartphone makers are facing new supply chain disruptions as more countries impose lockdown orders. On Tuesday, Foxconn, one of Apple's key suppliers, said it would suspend operations in India in compliance with gov...

All Realme launches including Nazro smartphone series postponed amid country-wide Covid-19 lockdown

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© Provided by Zee Business Chinese smartphone maker Realme has cancelled all its upcoming launches, including that of its Nazro smartphone series, amid a country-wide Covid-19 lockdown. In a tweet on Wednesday morning, Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth said that it is time for everyone to focus on families. The Realme Nazro series was scheduled to be launched on March 26 during an online event.  "With respect to the announcement made by our Honourable Prime Minister yesterday, we have decided to suspend all upcoming launches including #realmeNarzo series. Time for us to focus on our family & ourselves. Stay at home, stay safe & cooperate with local authorities," Sheth tweeted on Wednesday.  A 21-day lockdown was announced by PM Modi on Tuesday evening. The smartphone industry has also been hit by the coronavirus outbreak with Realme and Xiaomi launching their last two series online, after cancelling the on-ground events. The company had also ca...

Europe eyes smartphone location data to stem virus spread

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FILE -- In this March 10, 2020 file photo, a woman wearing a face mask checks her phone as she walks at the Naviglio Grande canal in Milan, Italy. Across Europe, governme...

Coronavirus outbreak: Global smartphone shipments witness biggest decline in history

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© Provided by The Financial Express It is difficult to project when the market will start growing. In the wake of novel coronavirus, many shipments and deliveries have been halted across the globe. As a result, the smartphone market witnessed a decline of 38 per cent year-on-year in its shipments in February 2020. The decline, driven by coronavirus outbreak, can be marked as the steepest in the history, a report by Strategy Analytics said. The global smartphone shipments were reported at 61.8 million units last month as compared to 99.2 million units shipped in February 2019, the report said. As the coronavirus extended beyond China, the demand for smartphones collapsed big time, especially in Asia, therefore dragging down the shipments across continents as well. According to the report, there were some factories in Asia that were not able to manufacture smartphones. Moreover, consumers too were not able to visit the retail stores or deferred buying new devices, ...

Coronavirus: Should you be cleaning your smartphone?

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© Provided by T3 Clean phone coronavirus The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has people questioning their everyday behaviours. How do you work from home? Should you be going to the gym? Of course, the advice everyone is being given is to self-isolate if you have symptoms, avoid gatherings as much as possible and wash your hands regularly.  However, if you're picking up harmful bacteria and washing your hands clean, only to pick up your phone and log into Whatsapp, you're undoing all that hard work. So yes,  one of your changing behaviours should be to clean your phone and other devices such as your laptop on a regular basis. Phones are, quite frankly, disgusting. As far back as 2011, phones were being examined for hygiene-related reasons, and it was found one in every six devices were carrying traces of faecal matter. Gross. Now, the global pandemic means hygiene is more important than ever, and that extends to your devices.  Bacteria including those causing...

Nokia unveils first 5G smartphone 8.3 5G check the details

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HMD Global has officially announced the Nokia 8.3 5G as the Finnish company's first 5G smartphone. The Nokia 8.3 5G is a premium mid-range offering with big improvements in camera, performance and design. So without any further delays, let's take a look at the new Nokia 8.3 5G. The Nokia 8.3 5G gets an entirely-new makeover, with a punch-hole notch, slim bezels, and a Nordic design. The phone only comes in 'polar night' colour option with a reflective glass back. Nokia 8.3 5G starts from €599 (Approx. Rs 47,950) for the 6GB RAM and 64GB storage model, while the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant is priced at €649 (Approx. Rs 51,950). In pics: Smartphones that emit most and least radiation (Slideshow by StarsInsider) Nokia 8.3 5G Specifications  Under the hood, the Nokia 8.3 5G is powered by a Snapdragon 765G chipset, which features an integrated 5G modem. The phone packs a 4,500 mAh battery with 18W fast-charging support. The Nokia 8.3 5G runs on Android 10 and i...

T-Mobile, Sprint offer unlimited smartphone data as coronavirus contingency

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  By AppleInsider Staff Friday, March 13, 2020, 06:50 pm PT (09:50 pm ET) T-Mobile and Sprint on Friday announced a slate of measures designed help the public as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, with provisions granting unlimited smartphone data to all subscribers.All current T-Mobile or Metro by T-Mobile customers with data plans will immediately have unlimited access to the carrier's network for 60 days, the company said. In addition, customers are granted an additional 20GB of mobile hotspot service for the same period and free international calls to Level 3 impacted countries, a list that includes China, Iran, South Korea and 29 European countries. Further, students enrolled in a program that takes advantage of T-Mobile's EmpowerED digital learning program also gets at least 20GB of data per month for 60 days."Now, more than ever, as school and workplace closures are happening each day, reliable internet connectiv...

Red Magic 5G launched, laughs at your 120Hz smartphone

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Nubia Gaming smartphones have led the push towards higher refresh rates in the last year or two, with the feature now available on mainstream flagship devices. But Nubia still thinks there's room for improvement, as it's announced the Red Magic 5G. The latest device in Nubia's gaming-focused line offers a 144Hz refresh rate that bests the 120Hz rate seen on recent Samsung and Asus phones. Furthermore, the phone also packs frame-rate interpolation tech to artificially boost content to 144 frames per second. Otherwise, the Red Magic 5G offers a 6.65-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with slim bezels and an in-display fingerprint sensor. The best gaming phones also feature extra inputs, and the Red Magic 5G features two capacitive shoulder keys akin to the Asus ROG Phone series at first glance. It's a little disappointing that we don't see physical buttons here, but it should still be handy for emulators, shooters, and other games. Other gaming additions include "4D vibratio...

Your smartphone might be dirtier than a toilet seat? Apple, Google show how to disinfect it

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© Provided by Zee Business Your Smartphone may look clean, but in actuality, it contains more germs than even a toilet sheet! Yes, you read that right. If you are not cleaning your smartphone on a  regular basis, then you are carrying a small portable germ box in the form of a smartphone. As Coronavirus fears are on the rise and it has entered more than 115 countries, you need to ensure that your smartphone is not carrying the dreaded COVID-19 virus. However, even if, your smartphone is not infected by Coronavirus, the germs it carries are enough to make you sick. So, regular use of disinfectants for cleaning your Smartphone is the need of the hour. Do note that in the process you do not want to damage your handset and that can happen if you use certain cleaning chemicals. Apple iPhone and Google Pixel users can use the guidelines offered by these companies. It's quite safe to assume that these steps can be used to clean all phones as their surfaces share ...

No IP rating? Here are some tips protect your smartphone from water

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© Provided by The Indian Express Holi is here and with that comes the risk of smartphones getting damaged with water. And you definitely can't do anything if someone throws coloured at you during Holi celebrations. To solve this problem some phones come with official IP rating while others don't. IP rating or International Protection Rating basically indicates whether an electronic device can resist water or other solid particles including dust, sand among others or not. Smartphones that come with IP certification can resist water during Holi celebrations to some extent -- it doesn't mean that you can immerse your phone in a bucket of water. What about the devices that don't come with an official IP rating? Well, here are some ways you can protect your smartphone from water splash even if it doesn't come with an IP rating. Use a waterproof pouch or a ziplock Want to take your phone out during Holi celebrations? Because hey, how to click Hol...

Smartphone shipments to GCC surge 6.3% in fourth quarter

The extreme decline in feature phone shipments stemmed from the fact that telcos and channel players across the region (particularly in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain) have actively started to move away from offering devices that support the 2G spectrum. In terms of value, smartphone shipments increased 11.2pc QoQ to $1.2 billion, while the value of feature phone shipments slumped 20.8pc to $28.9m. Together, the UAE and Saudi Arabia account for more than 75pc of the GCC smartphone market and saw shipments increase 9.9pc and 6.7pc QoQ, respectively, in Q4 2019. Shipments also grew in Bahrain (9.6pc), Kuwait (2.1pc) and Qatar (3pc). Oman was the only GCC market to suffer a decline, with smartphone shipments falling 2.2pc over the quarter. "The shipment growth seen in some of the smaller GCC markets is a positive sign for the overall region, particularly as it comes after long periods of contraction," says Akash Balachandran, a senior analyst at IDC. "Previously, shipments had be...

Get the most out of your fancy smartphone camera

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Google also made improvements to the Portrait mode on its Pixel 4 phones, which now have two cameras working the shot instead of just one. To use it, open the Camera app and select Portrait. If you want to further edit a finished portrait, open the image, tap the Edit icon and adjust the sliders for light, color and blur. You Don't NEED a Fancy Camera - Grab a Smartphone!

This app will let you use your smartphone to pay tolls on a dozen Virginia roads

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The app is the first of its kind in Virginia, which has significantly grown its network of toll roads in the past decade. Similar apps across the country offer drivers the option to check toll rates and make payments, generally after taking the trip. Industry leaders say they anticipate apps such as GoToll, which can essentially replace a toll transponder such as E-ZPass, may be the future of tolling. "Mobile apps to pay tolls are here and certainly will grow in the near future," said Bill Cramer, a spokesman for the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association, which represents toll facility owners and operators. Toll operators across the country are looking into developing their own apps, said Cramer, who estimates it will be another year or two before real growth is seen in mobile payments by individual toll operators. Transurban, which operates the Express Lanes on ­Interstates 95, 395 and 495 in Northern Virginia, launched the app last month, targeting travelers...

Samsung's Galaxy S20 Plus smartphone has an impressive camera and top-of-the-line specs, but it's too expensive to recommend for most people

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caption The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is a high-powered phone with an impressive camera that can zoom up to 30x. source Malarie Gokey/Business Insider The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus is a powerful flagship phone with a big gorgeous screen, a fast processor, and an impressive camera that can take sharp photos with up to a 30x zoom. We tested the S20 Plus to see if its advanced camera and high-end specs justify its sky-high cost of $1,200, and we found its price to be the only real downside. If it weren't so expensive, it'd be a no-brainer to recommend, but these days, you can get great phones for $600 or less. However, if you can get a good trade-in deal, you upgrade your phone every year anyway, or you are the kind of person who holds on to their phone for three to five years, it is still worth buying. If you end up buying an S20, you can check out our guide to the best Galaxy S20 cases, and if you want to see more options before you buy, you...

Your Smartphone Is Making Your Headaches Worse

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It is common advice to keep your smartphone away when having a headache. Now, a new study gives new information on how the device makes the pain worse and how it may trigger new headaches.  The latest study, published in the journal Neurology: Clinical Practice, shows how smartphone users have a harder time recovering from headaches. Researchers gathered 400 people in India who had a primary headache condition, CNN reported Wednesday. The participants experienced either migraines, tension headaches or other types of headaches that did not occur due to preexisting health problems. Researchers looked into their smartphone use, headache history and medication use. The team then divided them into two groups, separating those who did not use a mobile device and the people who were frequently on their phones. Researchers found that 96 percent of smartphone users were more likely to take pain-relieving drugs, while 81 percent of non-smartphone users would take such medications.  Those ...

How to Clean Your Smartphone the Right Way

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It's always a good idea to maintain good hygiene, but especially so in the midst of the ongoing spread of Covid-19. But while you're hopefully already washing your hands—and not touching your face—make sure to extend those efforts to the phones, tablets, and laptops you handle every day. The science shows that bacteria are very happy breeding on computer keyboards and smartphone screens, particularly when they're used by more than one person. And viruses can cling to glass surfaces for up to 96 hours, multiple days' worth of potential infection. So whether you want to minimize your risk of coronavirus, the flu, or a bacterial infection, some regular cleaning is advised. Indeed, some of the most dangerous bugs have been found on the plastic and glass surfaces of smartphones. From there they can make their way to your fingers, your face, your desk, the local restaurant, and all the other places you put your phone down. So, just about everywhere. Read all of our coronaviru...

Three Keys to Selecting Your Next Smartphone Case

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© Youmaker Some cases make smartphones feel extra heavy and bulky, but the added protection is worth the heft. Dropping a smartphone is the number one way to severely damage your device. Often, the phone just slips out of your hand and, depending on the surface beneath, can sustain damage ranging from minor to catastrophic. The second biggest case of smartphone problems is water damage. Fortunately, several top-quality cases exist that can dampen the blow during a fall and keep your phone dry if dunked. The trick is choosing which case is the right one for the way you use your phone. Size vs. Security The first thought many people have when getting a new smartphone is to get the toughest, sturdiest case they can find. The only problem is that often those very sturdy cases are also very large, making it hard to carry the phone in your pocket without it being a constant nuisance. At the other end of the spectrum, people who want the most minimal case they can get i...

Global Voice and Data 3G Smartphone Market Size with forecast till 2029| Samsung Electronics Co, Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd and Apple Inc.

Mar 03, 2020 (WiredRelease via COMTEX) -- Global Voice and Data 3G Smartphone Market (Revenue and Volume), Type, Application, End-User, and Regional Analysis, Import-Export Analysis, Industry Analysis, Premium Insights, Intellectual Property Analysis, Market Attractiveness, Competitive Landscape, Traders/Distributors, Key Buyers, Forecasts 2020 – 2029 The international "Voice and Data 3G Smartphone Market" report provides in-depth evaluation on a global and regional level. The report study offers historic facts (2015 – 2019) and forecasted data (2020 – 2029). The record consists of a complete evaluation of factors impacting the growth of the market. The record evaluates the driving forces of international Voice and Data 3G Smartphone market and changing dynamics that have been considered as a boom-boosting factor. The report also includes current and future developments, possibilities, and threats of the Voice and Data 3G Smartphone ma...