Samsung Galaxy F22 to Launch in India on July 6, Flipkart Listing Reveals Key Specs - News18

Samsung will launch a new smartphone under its F-series dubbed Samsung Galaxy F22 in India on July 6. The phone will retail via Flipkart, a dedicated micro-site reveals. The website also carries promotional posters, where we can notice its key specifications that include a 90Hz display and quad rear camera setup with a 48-megapixel primary shooter. In terms of design, the Galaxy F22 looks similar to the newly launched Galaxy A22 with the square-shaped rear camera module and waterdrop-style notch on the front panel for the single selfie camera. The poster also highlights at least two colour options - Black and Blue, but there could be more at the official launch.

The Flipkart listing further reveals the presence of a 6,000mAh battery on the Galaxy F22, unlike the 5,000mAh battery on Samsung Galaxy A22. It appears the upcoming smartphone houses a side-mounted fingerprint scanner instead of a rear-mounted scanner for biometric security. Samsung is also focusing on the 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display that has HD+ resolution for “Full On cinematic experience." Notably, the Samsung Galaxy A22 sports the same display size, panel, and resolution. Previously, Galaxy F22 appeared on Google Play Console listing where specifications such as 4GB RAM and MediaTek Helio G80 processor were spotted. It is rumoured to cost under Rs 15,000 in India. Samsung’s F-series phones are generally popular for offering large batteries and displays. Currently, the company sells multiple devices under the series. For instance, the entry-level Samsung Galaxy F02s costs Rs 8,999 for the base 32GB storage, and the Galaxy F12 price in India starts at Rs 10,999 for the base 64GB model. Both phones offer a large 6.5-inch screen and up to 6,000mAh battery. The company also offers relatively more premium Samsung Galaxy F41 and Galaxy F62 in the country for Rs 14,499 and Rs 23,999, respectively.

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Google Enables Support to Display COVID-19 Vaccine, Test Certificates Natively on Android Devices - Gadgets 360

Google has updated its passes system to let Android users store and access a digital copy of their COVID-19 vaccination and test certificates through a dedicated card. Called COVID Card, the new feature will be initially rolling out in the US, followed by other countries. Users will not be required to install any particular app to store or access the digital card on their devices. However, government agencies, healthcare organisations, and public health authorities that are authorised to distribute vaccines and conduct tests for COVID-19 will need to use Google's Passes APIs to enable users with the digital version of vaccination and test certificates.

The COVID Card will show information such as the name of your vaccine and when you took its first and second doses. It will also provide details on COVID-19 tests.

Google has enabled the new experience by updating its Passes APIs that it originally provided to integrate gift cards, loyalty programmes, and offers within Google Pay. However, users who wanted to access the COVID Card will not be required to have Google Pay — or any other apps — installed on their devices.

Once your healthcare provider has implemented necessary changes at their end, you'll be able to store your vaccination or testing details from the COVID Card.

You can save the card from the app of your healthcare provider or through the email or text message you will get from the government agency or organisation conducting COVID-19 vaccination or tests.

How to store COVID Card on your Android device

Google has enabled the COVID Card for all users who have devices running on Android 5 and later and are Play Protect certified. If you have a compatible device and your healthcare provider has used the updated Passes APIs, you will see a Save to phone option on the app or website of your healthcare provider to let you store the COVID Card on your device. Once tapped, the option will ask if you want to save with Chrome or Google Pay. You will need to choose Google Pay there even if you don't have the Google Pay app. The card will also require you to enable the lock screen on your device if you don't have one already.

Once the card is stored on your device, you can find it by going through Settings > Google > Account services > Google Pay. You can also add a shortcut icon to your device's home screen after you find the card available in the Google Pay settings. If you have the Google Pay app installed on your device, you can find the COVID Card by touching the bottom of the screen and swipe up.

Google said that since the COVID Card will be stored on your Android device and not the cloud, it will show the information even when you are offline or in areas that have weak Internet connectivity. Local storing of the card also means that Google isn't able to retain a copy of your COVID-19 vaccination or test certificate. But nonetheless, it would be able to understand how you use your COVID Card.

It is important to point out that the information available on the COVID Card will be directly on the basis of what government agencies, healthcare organisations, and organisations authorised by public health authorities have provided. This means that if you think there is something wrong in terms of the particulars available on the virtual card or if you have any questions about the details available there, you will need to directly contact your healthcare provider.

The latest move by Google will make it easier for users to save information about their COVID-19 vaccines and tests on their devices. However, it isn't likely to be available to the masses at the initial stage as the feature will depend on how quickly government agencies and third parties working on COVID-19 vaccinations and tests would adopt the changes required.

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Apple iPhone 12 series crosses 100 million sales mark; beats iPhone 11 series by a couple of months - Moneycontrol.com

Consumers preferred the highest version of the iPhone 12 series, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, during the first seven months after the series’ launch.

Apple iPhone 12 series was launched in October 2020. Apple announced four new iPhone models, which included the iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 12 Pro Max. A Counterpoint Research report claims that Apple has sold over 100 million units of the iPhone 12 series within seven months of its launch.

The top-end iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is priced at Rs 1,29,900 in India, accounted for 29 percent of the total share till April 2021. 40 percent of this came from the US alone.

Some of the reasons for the increased demand include 5G connectivity and OLED panels across the iPhone 12 lineup. The report states that the iPhone 12 series crossed the 100 million unit sales mark a couple of months ahead of the iPhone 11 series. It is also almost the same as the iPhone 6 series, which brought bigger screens for the first time on the iPhone.

Consumers preferred the highest version of the iPhone 12 series, the iPhone 12 Pro Max, during the first seven months after the series’ launch. The share of the Pro Max version in the iPhone 12 series sales was 29 percent, compared to the 25% for the same model of the iPhone 11 series. This is also one of the reasons for the iPhone 12 series grossing 22 percent more revenue than the iPhone 11 series in the first seven months of its launch.

Apple iPhone 12 price in India starts at Rs 79,900. The entry-level iPhone 12 mini price in India starts at Rs 69,900. The Pro iPhone 12 models, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max, are priced at Rs 1,19,900 and Rs 1,29,900, respectively.

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Realme X2 Pro finally receives update to Android 11 and Realme UI 2.0 - GSMArena.com news - GSMArena.com

The Realme X2 Pro was a revelation in the 'flagship killer' space when it launched back in October 2019, using the traditional formula of pairing killer specs with a jaw-droppingly low price. And Realme hasn't forgotten it. Not completely, at least.

Starting today, the phone is finally receiving a stable update to Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0, following some beta testing. The new build is labeled RMX1931_11_F.11, and comes in at 349MB.

As usual, the update may be going out in stages, so don't fret if you haven't received the notification yet. It might help to manually check in Settings.

Here's the full changelog:

Personalizations

Personalize the user interface to make it your own

• You can now create your own wallpaper by picking colors from your photos.

• Third-party icons for apps on the home screen are now supported.

• Three Dark mode styles are available: Enhanced, medium, and gentle; wallpapers and icons can be adjusted to Dark mode; and the display contrast can be adjusted automatically to ambient light.

High Efficiency

• You can now drag text, images, or files out of a floating window or from one app to another app in Split screen mode.

• Optimized the editing page of Smart Sidebar: Two tabs are displayed and the order of items can be customized.

System

• Added "Tone tunes": Consecutive notification tones will be linked to form a single melody.

• Added weather animations to provide you with a more interesting experience.

• Optimized vibration effects for text input and gameplay.

• Optimized "Auto brightness".

Launcher

• You can now remove a folder or combine it with another one.

• Added filters for "Drawer mode": You can now filter apps by letters, install time, or usage frequency to quickly find an app.

Security and Privacy

• You can now turn "App lock" on or off in Quick Settings.

• Added "Low battery message": When your phone battery is lower than 15%, you can quickly send a message to share your location with specified people.

• More powerful SOS functions Emergency info: You can quickly display your personal emergency info to first responders. The information can be shown even when your screen is locked.

• Optimized "Permission manager": You can now choose "Allow only once" for sensitive permissions to better protect your privacy.

Games

• Added Immersive mode which reduces disturbances while gaming so you can stay focused.

• You can change the way to summon Game Assistant.

Communications

• You can share your personal hotspot with others via a QR code.

Photos

• Optimized the photo editing feature with upgraded algorithms and more markup effects and filters.

HeyTap Cloud

• You can back up your photos, documents, system settings, WeChat data, and more, and easily migrate to a new phone.

• You can select the types of data to be backed up or restored.

Camera

• Added shortcuts to instantly share and edit photos or videos you just took.

• Added the inertial zoom feature which makes zooming smoother during video shooting.

• Added the level and grid feature to help you compose videos.

realme Lab

• Added Sleep Capsule for you to restrict your phone use for better rest and sleep.

Accessibility

• Added "Sound amplifier": You can amplify faint sounds in the environment and soften loud sounds when wearing earphones.

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Google Pay can securely store your COVID-19 vaccine info - XDA Developers

Google has updated the Passes API to enable a secure way of storing your COVID-19 vaccination card and/or testing status on your Android smartphone, marking yet another way that Google has tried to help authorities combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Passes API lets third-party developers create boarding passes, loyalty cards, digital tickets, etc. that the user can save to Google Pay for easy access. Thanks to the Passes API, it’s possible to aggregate your boarding passes and loyalty cards in the Google Pay app, making it quick and easy to board a flight or keep up with your subscriptions. Now, the Passes API has been updated so developers from healthcare organizations, government agencies, or organizations authorized by public health authorities can integrate a user’s digital COVID-19 vaccine card/testing information into Google Pay. The digital COVID-19 vaccination card or test report can then be accessed from the owner’s smartphone and shown to relevant personnel who may need to see it.

Anyone with a device running Android 5 or higher — so long as their device is Google Play certified — can digitally store their COVID-19 vaccination info or testing status on their device. Google said in its blog post that this feature will roll out in the United States first followed by other countries.

To ensure that user’s private medical information isn’t leaked, Google says the API stores a digital certificate on the smartphone that is not uploaded to the cloud. Once stored on-device, the card can be accessed from the owner’s home screen, even when offline or with a weak Internet connection. The user can store it on multiple devices, though they’ll need to manually do so, as it is not stored in the cloud on Google’s services. Information on the card is not shared with Google and will not be used for advertisements or other services. Finally, a lock screen is required for storing a COVID-19 card on-device, in order to protect the user’s information. Even accessing the card will require the saved password, pin, or biometric method used on the device.

Qualified providers can let Google know of their interest here. Users do not need to actually install the Google Pay app to access their COVID-19 vaccination or test cards, since the Passes API and addition/retrieval of cards are all handled through Google Play Services which comes preinstalled on all phones with Google Mobile Services.

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Amazon launches Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 10 in India: Check prices and more details here - Firstpost

FP TrendingJun 30, 2021 20:12:22 IST

Amazon has introduced two new Echo Show devices in India today – the Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 10. The Echo Show 5 is priced at Rs 8,999 but will be available at a discounted price of Rs 6,999 for a limited period of time, while the Echo Show 10 is priced at Rs 24,999. Both are now available to buy on Amazon. Available only in black, the new Echo Show 10 comes with intelligent motion that moves the display to face you as you interact with Alexa.

The new Echo Show 5 features an HD camera for better video calling and is available in three colours - black, white and blue.

The Echo Show 10 is an upgraded version of Alexa with a screen. It features a 10.1-inch screen, which faces you as you listen to music, watch briefs on news channels and TV shows on streaming platforms, with its dual, front-firing tweeters and woofers rotating along with the display.

The Amazon Echo Show 10 (left) costs Rs 24,999, while the Echo Show 5 costs Rs 6,999 for a limited period. Image: Amazon

Users can securely access a live feed from Echo Show 10 on a smartphone through the Alexa app or another Echo Show device. Also, Alexa can help control and set up Wi-Fi-connected smart home appliances. The Echo Show 10’s inbuilt smart home hub supports Zigbee smart home devices.

It offers video calling on its movable screen with a 13 MP wide-angle camera, and zooms to keep you at the centre of the frame. Also, with the help of the new Alexa Group Calling feature, users can have a group video call with up to eight friends or family members.

Talking about the compact Echo Show 5, it has a 5.5-inch display, an upgraded HD camera for video calls, and Drop-In conversation. Users can open an instant conversation with their Alexa contacts or from one of their devices. The built-in camera on Echo Show can be accessed securely through the Alexa app to check in on things at home when you’re out.

The Echo Show devices include microphone and camera controls, and the ability to view and delete voice recordings to ensure security. They come with built-in shutters to cover the camera.

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Tech Wrap: Amazon launches new Echo Show 10, Echo Show 5 in India and more - Hindustan Times

It was an interesting day in the world of technology today. On one hand, LinkedIn breach exposed data of nearly 92% of the users. On the other hand, Twitter removed the bug that prevented users from switching between algorithmic and chronological views.

So, here’s what happened in tech today:

TCL launches new smart TVs in India

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TCL has launched its new 2021 C Series Range LineupTVs - Mini LED QLED4K C825 with Magic Camera, QLED 4K C728 with Game Master, and the QLED 4K C725 with Video Call Camera in India today. They come at a starting price of ₹64,990 in India.

Amazon new Echo Show 10, Echo Show 5 launched in India

Amazon has launched the Amazon Echo Show 10 and the Echo Show 5 in India. The Amazon Echo Show 10 is priced at ₹24,999 and the Amazon Echo Show 5 is priced at ₹8,999.

LinkedIn breach reportedly exposes data of 92% of users

LinkedIn has been hit by another breach. This time, over 700 million users appear to have been affected, accounting for over 92 percent of users on the platform. The news was announced by the hacker himself.

Twitter fixes bug that prevented switching between algorithmic and chronological views

Twitter had a bug that has been preventing users from switching to the chronological view in their home feeds when accessing the micro-blogging platform via a desktop browser. Now, Twitter has confirmed that the bug has been fixed.

Xiaomi unveils Mi notebook Pro X15

Today, Xiaomi has added another notebook to its Pro portfolio. The newly launched notebook, Mi Notebook Pro X 15, packs top of the line features such as Intel’s 11th generation processor, OLED display and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics and more. The Mi Notebook Pro X 15 costs CNY 7,999 for the base variant.

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 renders showcase the upcoming foldable from almost every angle - Notebookcheck.net

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Google Messages to bring auto- OTP deletion, Gmail-like sorting - DNA India

Google is all set to update its Messages app and release new features that will exclusively work for users in India.

The tech giant is updating the Messages app to allow it to delete one-time passwords (OTPs) automatically so that the single-use codes don't clog up your inbox.

"To continue to keep your inbox free of clutter, we’re also providing the option to automatically delete your one-time passwords (OTPs) 24-hours after they’re received, so you don’t have to spend time deleting them manually. To enable it, just tap continue when you see the suggestion prompt to confirm your selection," Google said in a blog post.

The company will also roll out a new way to organize text messages by sorting them into categories, keeping your personal correspondence away from notifications about bank transactions and special offers.

The sorting feature will use machine learning technology to automatically sort messages into categories like personal, transactions, OTPs, and offers, which sounds very similar to what it already offers for emails in Gmail.

The sorting process happens on-device, so it should still work while offline, Google said.

Google shared that the new features will roll out "over the coming weeks" in India, on Android phones running version 8 and above. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment on whether the feature could see a release outside of the country.

The upcoming auto-OTP deletion and SMS Categories features are optional and can be managed in settings. If you want to try them out, make sure you are using the latest version of the Google Messages app.

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Amazon Alexa can now help kids read, here’s how - Times of India

Amazon has launched a new Alexa feature called the Reading Sidekick. The feature is designed to help kids improve their reading skills with Alexa. With the new feature, kids can read physical as well as digital books with Alexa, each taking turns. Alexa will listen to the reading and help the kids if they struggle while reading. The digital voice assistant will also encourage the kids if they succeed.
“Reading Sidekick is designed to complement the time kids spend reading with grownups. So even if you’re busy cooking dinner or working, Alexa is available to read with your child” says Amazon.
The Reading Sidekick feature works with most Alexa-enabled devices — Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Dot Kids, Echo Plus and Echo Show smart display. It is also available for its Kids Plus service on Fire tablets.
How to use the feature
To start using the Reading Sidekick feature, enable the Amazon Kids mode and then say “Alexa, let’s read”. Users will then be asked to choose a book on the Fire tablet or in the Kids Plus app for other devices. They can choose from options like read a lot, a little or take turns.
With the ‘read a lot’ mode, children will be expected to read four pages consecutively. The ‘read a little’ mode is opposite of this. A child is expected to follow along in the book and read one page of paragraph every few pages. While the “take turns” mode will enable reading between the child and Alexa consecutively.
Alexa will listen to the child’s reading and help him in pronunciations and other challenges. Amazon has over 700 books in the system now and more will be released in the future.
Amazon is also rolling out Alexa Voice Profiles for Kids later this week. The feature will allow Echo to recognize the voice of a specific child. It will then personalize the experience to them. Users will be able to set up to four unique voice profiles.

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Instagram tests new feature to let users share links on Stories with Stickers - Techstory

YouTube App on Android Now Lets You Share Chapters From Videos - Gadgets 360

YouTube on Android now allows users to share video chapters directly. YouTube added chapters functionality to videos last year that marked out different parts of the video — for example, Gadgets 360 review videos have chapters for things like performance, or design, so you can jump to these parts if that's all you're interested in. With the new update, Android users can share a chapter rather than sending a link that starts at the beginning of the video. The resulting link contains the timestamp of the chapter, so people who get the link will go directly to the part you shared. Earlier, this was only possible when using the YouTube website on your PC.

YouTube's chapters show up as markers on the video seek bar and contain titles, indicating the end and beginning of chapters, making it easier for the viewer to jump to a certain point in the video without having to scrub through the timeline, and the feature was spotted by Android Police.

Till now, there was no way of sharing a video link with a particular timestamp through the app that would allow the recipient to start the video from exactly where you wanted.

How to share a YouTube video chapter on Android

Android users can share links to chapters in videos through the YouTube app. To do so:

Tap on the name of the chapter which shows right above the video seek bar and you will see a list of chapters with a share icon next to them.

Then, tap the share icon for the particular chapter you want and use one of the many modes of sharing to send the video to someone.

The recipient will receive the YouTube link with a timestamp that will start the video exactly from that timestamp.

The feature was spotted by Android Police on Tuesday, but in its article, it suggests that the feature could have rolled out as early as May with app version 16.20.35. We tested the feature on app version 16.24.33. In case you can't see the new link share feature on the YouTube Android app, try updating it.

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Samsung MWC 2021: One UI Smartwatch Experience Revealed | First Impressions - India.com

Samsung MWC 2021: One UI Smartwatch Experience Revealed: Samsung Electronics have introduced its One UI Watch user experience at Mobile World Congress (MWC) on June 29th. This new galaxy watch will be the first device to feature One UI Watch and the new unified platform jointly built with Google.  The company claims that the new operating system has taken the best parts of Google’s Wear OS operating system and Samsung’s Tizen OS, bringing them together on this new unified platform. In this video, we will present the first impressions of this Watch Skin along with its design and features explained just for you. Watch Now. Also Read - Realme Narzo 30 5G First Impressions | Design, Price, Looks and Features Explained

Also Read - Realme Narzo 30 4G : First Look | Features and Specifications Explained Also Read - Windows 11 Operating System Has Been Launched By Microsoft | First Look: Major Tech Update

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Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) Launched in India: Price, Specifications, Features - Gadgets 360

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) was launched in India on Tuesday. The new smart display and speaker is the most expensive and advanced from Amazon yet, and is powered by the Alexa voice assistant with a combination of voice, audio, and display based smart features. The Echo Show 10 has a 10.1-inch display, along with unique ‘motion' features that allow the screen to automatically turn to face the user, as well as follow the gaze of the user when visual content is being viewed on the screen.

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) price and availability in India

The Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) is priced at Rs. 24,999 in India, making it the most expensive Echo device available in the country. It's also priced considerably higher in India than in the US, where the Echo Show 10 retails for $250 (approximately Rs. 18,600). The smart display and speaker will be available in a single black colour variant on Amazon.

Alongside the launch of the Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen), Amazon has also announced the launch of the the smaller and more affordable Echo Show 5 (2nd Gen), which will be priced at Rs. 6,999 initially, down from its launch price of Rs. 8,999. The company also recently launched the Rs. 12,999 Fire TV Cube (2nd Gen), which combines the capabilities of the Fire TV and Echo ranges into a single device.

Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) specifications and features

Like the rest of the Echo Show range, the Amazon Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) combines a smart display and smart speaker into a single device. It has a 10.1-inch 1280x800-pixel screen, and a speaker system with two tweeters and a woofer. The speaker is within the base of the device, while the screen attaches separately to the top of the base, with the buttons for volume and muting the microphones at the top of the screen. There is also a physical slider to block the camera for privacy.

The Echo Show 10 has a unique ‘motion' feature which allows the device to automatically rotate and face in any direction. The rotation mechanism is built into the bottom of the device, and lets the device turn to face the user based on Alexa voice commands. Additionally, the device can also track the user's position and follow the user's gaze when visual content is being viewed, including videos and display prompts for Alexa commands.

The smart speaker uses Alexa for smart capabilities, combining visual and audio-based features; the screen shows visual prompts including graphics, videos, and text to go with Alexa's voice responses. Additionally, the screen can show album art and other information while streaming music as well, or stream video content from Amazon Prime Video and Netflix. You can also access YouTube and other websites through the built-in browser.

Alexa's full suite of communications features is controlled through the Alexa app for Android and iOS, which also provides access to the Echo Show 10's communications and home monitoring features. It's possible to use the Echo Show 10 as a smart camera, and also have video calls using Alexa's video calling service. Other communications features include leaving voice messages, ‘drop in' video chats by devices logged into the same Alexa account, and voice calls.

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Windows 11 Insider Preview hands-on: Familiar yet different - The Indian Express

The euphoria and hype around tech products is usually reserved for high-profile releases from Apple and Google. But ever since Microsoft announced Windows 11 last week, there has been excitement not usually seen for a new operating system release of this level in a long time.
Windows 11 — the first major update to Microsoft’s desktop operating system in six years — will be available this holiday season as a free download for existing Windows 10 PC owners. The revamped desktop operating system includes a complete makeover that’s been due for years, from a redesigned Start menu and better integration with your smartphone to a new app store that offers access to both Windows and Android apps.

Earlier this week, Microsoft released the first official preview build of Windows 11 to Windows Insiders, and I am testing the brand new operating system on a Lenovo Legion 5, powered by AMD Ryzen 5 processor. This isn’t a review of Windows 11; rather it’s a hands-on preview of some of the significant features in the next generation of Windows and how they change your experience.

The start menu and app tray is now centered on the desktop

The first thing I noticed about Windows 11, beyond the enchanting default wallpapers, is that the Start menu is no longer at the bottom left of your PC desktop. I never liked the Start menu on Windows 10, and I hope you can relate to my feeling. As part of Windows 11, the Start menu and app tray are now centered on the desktop, similar to the ChromeOS launcher. Live Tiles no longer exist and are replaced with simplified icons. Thank God for that.

The Start Menu and Task Bar in the middle now. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

The new Start menu allows you to quickly see pinned apps, while it also shows a Recommended section based on the documents you’ve recently opened and other programmes. Meanwhile, there’s a search bar embedded within the app tray so finding apps and documents is easy. For someone who hasn’t used either ChromeOS or macOS, it might take time to adapt to the new design change.

Refreshed File Explorer

The new File Explorer has also got an overhaul. It features a clean and simplified interface. It is still the same File Explorer I am familiar with. Gone is the old ribbon interface that was introduced with Windows 8, and replaced with a modern “header” menu and new icons. The context menu has been completely redesigned and they look less cluttered than the old context menus. A single row of icons provides access to features like cut, paste, copy, rename, share, and delete, while there’s a “new” button for creating a new folder or file.

Windows 11 comes with a redesigned File Explorer. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

The brand new Settings app

In Windows 11, the Settings app has been given a 360-degree change. Not only is the settings app visually appealing but navigating different sections has also been simplified. The settings menu shows your PC at the top, with info on name and model, alongside the status on Windows update and if you are signed in to OneDrive. The good thing about the new layout is that each category is listed with its name and the subcategories that can be found within it. I can easily jump into what I am looking for, for example, Windows 11’s new personalisation page. It gives access to different Windows themes — a total of six and some of the darker themes automatically turned on dark mode. Interestingly, the touch keyboard now also supports themes, and there are over 13 themes to choose from.

The all-new Settings app. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Snap Layouts is useful for multitasking

One of the coolest features Microsoft has added in Windows 11 is Snap layouts, and I feel it is designed for people like me. So when you hover your mouse over a window’s maximise button, you will notice different window layouts for organising your screen. Select the layout and the position within the layout that you want to place that window. The idea is to handle multiple windows at the same time, something I wish Apple should add in iPadOS in the future.

The choice layouts will depend on the width of your display. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

The new Widgets tab is inspired by Google Discover

I don’t know if you remember Microsoft’s ill-fated Windows Vista operating system supported widgets, which were permanently housed in a sidebar, providing up-to-date information on weather, stocks, currency converter, etc. Widgets are also a part of Windows 11 but this time around, they make sense on the new operating system. A button on the taskbar will reveal a widgets tab that you can customise with feeds for the weather, news, calendar and stocks. My early observation is that Windows 11’s Widgets tries to deliver the experience users get on a smartphone or tablet. This is refreshing, but at the same time, a lot depends on how developers and content creators take advantage of live-updating widgets.

Widgets are back. (Image credit: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)

Windows 11 early impression: Is it worth the hype?

It’s been only 24 hours since I have started using Windows 11 and as I said earlier, there’s a lot to discover about Microsoft’s new operating system. Windows 11 isn’t just about the redesign of the iconic Windows menu or boost in PC gaming; it’s about a modern desktop operating system that tries to fit in the smartphone-dominated world. Windows 11 offers a lot many features that I haven’t discussed in this writeup (dynamic refresh rate, support for haptic feedback, better multi-monitor and touchscreen support, etc) but will surely do as I get more familiar with Microsoft’s next version of Windows. Since this is the first insider preview of Windows 11, some major features are missing right now like the integration with Teams in the taskbar and the ability to download Android apps via Amazon’s App Store. More later.

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Facebook launches 'Bulletin' to promote independent writers, only in the USA for now - EdexLive

Representative Image | Pic: Flickr

With an aim to promote independent writers, Facebook has announced a set of publishing and subscription tools — Bulletin — to support these creators in the US.

The tech giant said that Bulletin will include support focused on content creation, monetisation and audience growth.

"The popularity of our local Groups and Pages has shown us that people are hungry for locally relevant, longer-form content produced by expert and authoritative voices," the company said in a statement.

"Through Bulletin, we want to make Facebook a better place for these creators, and unify our existing tools with something that could more directly support great writing and audio content — from podcasts to Live Audio Rooms -- all in one place," it added. Each Bulletin creator will have a standalone website under their brand and will be able to customise their publication's name, logo and colour palette.

Creators can also customise their articles with multi-media embeds and other styling options. "We want to connect audiences with a range of new and diverse voices and enable them to go deeper into the topics they care about," the company said.

Bulletin content will be eligible for distribution in Facebook News and other discovery surfaces to help audiences easily find it and subscribe. The company said it will include tools to distribute podcasts in addition to long-form writing, including externally-hosted podcasts and additional audio features coming soon.

Bulletin will integrate with Facebook Pages to enable publishing across various multimedia formats. The company said it is also planning to roll out new investments, products and services aimed to support more independent writers and experts this year.

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Realme Narzo 30 5G review in 5 points, should you buy this phone at first Flipkart sale today - India Today

Instagram to soon let everyone share links in Stories - BGR India

If you often wish to share links in Instagram Stories but your follower count limits you, this news ought to excite you. Instagram is planning on adding new functionality that will allow anyone to attach links in their Stories. Also Read - 10 most downloaded apps on Google Play store, App store in 2021 so far

With this, you will no longer have to maintain a follower count of 10,000 or get verified, for we know it ain’t easy to get any of these. Also Read - Your Facebook, Twitter, Instagram account can get deleted if you do this

Link sharing in Instagram Stories to reach all

As per a report by The Verge, Instagram for iOS is testing the feature and currently, a small group of people can make use of it. Also Read - Disney Pixar Filter: How to get and use the 3D cartoon face filter on Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok

This functionality will introduce a sharing sticker, using which you will be able to share any link in Stories. Others can simply tap on the sticker to visit the link. So, if you often want to share website or YouTube video links, you will finally get a way to do so.

However, this is different from how links are shared presently. People can attach a link as a swipe up, which is also the case with Facebook Stories and Snapchat Stories. For those who don’t know, Snapchat allows everyone to share links, irrespective of their number of friends or any other criteria.

Another difference is that you will be able to reply to Instagram Stories with a link, which isn’t possible as of now.

The test will also be monitored by Instagram to see what kind of links are being shared by people. The idea is to ensure that nothing malicious or derogatory is shared.

Instagram’s head of product, Vishal Shah, via a statement to The Verge, suggests that stickers are how people use the platform and hence, “that is the sort of future system we would like to get to. And that’s what we hope to roll out if we’re able to make this work.”

We still don’t have a word on when Instagram plans to expand the feature but we can expect it to happen soon.

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WhatsApp is rolling out disappearing photos feature: Here’s how it works - The Indian Express

WhatsApp is rolling out the disappearing photos feature for beta users, which is known as ‘View Once.’ This is similar to how Instagram’s expiring media feature works. A photo will disappear once the receiver opens it and leaves the chat. The feature is currently available for Android WhatsApp users.

The screenshots shared by WaBetaInfo reveal that users will be able to send disappearing photos by just choosing photos from the gallery. Once selected, you will have to tap on the clock-like icon, which the app will display near the “Add a caption” bar. You can then send disappearing photos to your friends and family members.

The feature works for videos, photos and GIFs. If the view once button is not visible to you when sharing the media with anyone, then it means that you haven’t received the feature. One will find this feature in WhatsApp’s 2.21.14.3 Android version.

What else you need to know before using this WhatsApp feature

The cited source says that if you disable read receipts, the recipient will still be able to see if you have opened the photo or video set to view once, but you won’t be able to check when the recipient opened your image.

If you are sharing a disappearing image in a group, then you will be able to see when other participants are opening expiring photos even if you have disabled read receipts. It should be noted that the recipient might be able to save the photo or video using screenshot or screen recording features, and WhatsApp won’t even notify you because there is no screenshot detection.

You are allowed to share photos and videos using the ‘View Once’ button in groups, and you will be able to see who all opened them in the “Message Info” section. “Blocked contacts in common groups can still open those photos and videos. In fact, they cannot message or call you but they can still interact with you in groups,” WaBetaInfo said.

If you send a photo using View Once button to anyone who hasn’t enabled this feature, then the feature will still work. Besides, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently confirmed the existence of this feature and also hinted that it will be available for everyone soon. So, the public release of this feature is expected to happen soon.

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Realme Narzo 30 5G, Realme Buds Q2 to Go on Sale for the First Time in India Today: Price, Sale Offers - Gadgets 360

Realme Narzo 30 5G smartphone and Realme Buds Q2 true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones will go on sale for the first time in India today at 12pm (noon). The two devices were launched last week. The Realme Narzo 30 5G is a successor to the Realme Narzo 20, and is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Meanwhile, the Realme Buds Q2 are one of the few affordable true wireless earphones with active noise cancellation in India.

Realme Narzo 30 5G price in India, availability, sale offers

The Realme Narzo 30 5G was launched at a price of Rs. 15,999 for the lone 6GB RAM + 128GB storage option. It will be available in Racing Blue and Racing Silver colours with a discount of Rs. 500 on Realme.com. The smartphone can also be purchased from Flipkart.

Realme Buds Q2 price in India, availability

Realme Buds Q2 were launched alongside the Realme Narzo 30 5G smartphone, and will be available at a price of Rs. 2,499. Customers can purchase the earphones in Active Black colour from Realme.com, Amazon, and select offline retailers across India.

Realme Narzo 30 5G specifications

The dual-SIM (Nano) Realme Narzo 30 5G comes with Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0, and sports a 6.5-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,400 pixels) display with a 90Hz refresh rate. The phone is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC. It features a triple rear camera setup that is headlined by a 48-megapixel primary sensor. There is a 2-megapixel monochrome sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. On the front is a 16-megapixel selfie camera. The smartphone has a 5,000mAh battery with 18W fast charging support, and a side-mounted fingerprint sensor.

Realme Buds Q2 specifications

The Realme Buds Q2 have active noise cancellation (ANC), touch controls, and Gaming Mode. The earbuds also come with reflective touch-sensitive zones, and in-canal fit for effective passive noise isolation. They are claimed to have a low-latency mode with a response delay of 88ms, a transparency mode, and dual-microphone noise cancellation for voice calls. The earphones are powered by 10mm dynamic drivers and have a claimed battery life of 28 hours in total with fast charging support. The earphones come with Bluetooth v5.2.

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New Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 renders show the phone from all angles and in several colorways - GSMArena.com news - GSMArena.com

We’ve seen renders of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3, however, GizNext has struck the mother lode – a collection of images that show the phone from different angles and in several colorways.

The flip phone will maintain the size of the internal screen at 6.7” (25:9 aspect ratio), but will bring a larger, more practical external display measuring 1.9” (enough to fit two lines of text, the original Flip could barely fit a few words). The internal display will have a more durable Ultra Thin Glass (UTG).

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 renders

According to certification documents, the Z Flip3 will have roughly the same battery capacity (3,273 mAh) and rely on the same 15W wired and 9W wireless charging. The chipset inside the phone is still a matter of some debate, but the camera is not - by now it’s pretty clear that the phone will stick with a dual camera setup.

Interestingly, some rumors claim that the Galaxy Z Flip3 (and Z Fold3) will have an IP rating, which is only possible with a major redesign of the hinge mechanism (IP67 is claimed, meaning immersion in 1m of water for half an hour).

Here are four of the expected colorways. The full list includes eight options: Dark Green, Light Violet, Beige, Grey, Black, Pink, Dark Blue, White.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 in Dark Green, Light Violet, Beige and Black

The price of the two foldables could be 20% lower (the original Z Flip started at $1,400). We are expecting an August launch with the reveal happening towards the beginning of the month and sales commencing towards the end.

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Michael Dell Touts Marc Benioff For New Webcam 'Inspiration' - CRN

Dell Technologies CEO and founder Michael Dell gave a shoutout to Salesforce’s founder and CEO Marc Benioff for helping inspire Dell’s new UltraSharp Webcam to make video conferencing clearer than ever before, targeting the new remote workforce.

“Born during the lockdown. Thank you @Benioff for the inspiration!” said Michael Dell on Twitter today.

Bob Keblusek, one of the nation’s top chief technology officers, said it’s a great thing when two IT industry titans like Benioff and Dell work with each other to create a new, sought-after product like a next level webcam.

“It’s great that they’re networking together and sharing ideas between one another,” said Keblusek, CTO of Downers Grove, Ill.-based Sentinel Technologies, who is a large Dell Technologies partner. “When you see Michael taking some of his advice, he must have found that there was some business value in it and he had the right team and manufacturing processes to make it happen. He’s giving credit where credit is due. Knowing that you can network with your peers is always a good thing.”

[Related: Dell Apex Can Be 50% ‘Less Expensive’ Vs. AWS, Public Clouds]

The Round Rock, Texas-based company’s new webcam comes as Dell’s PC business is on fire.

Dell’s Client Solutions Group (CSG) – which includes desktop PCs, Chromebooks, notebooks, thin clients, and more – saw a record fourth quarter 2021 with revenues climbing a whopping 17 percent year over year to $13.8 billion. CSG continued to shine in Dell’s most recent first fiscal quarter 2022, up a massive 20 percent year over year to over $13.3 billion.

Dell is attributing this historic sales growth to ongoing high demand for remote work and learning solutions as well as gaming systems.

With Dell’s PC business hitting all-time highs, Dell is pushing its $200 UltraSharp Webcam, touting it as the best image quality in its class with the world’s most intelligent 4K webcam.

The 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) webcam has a large 4K Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor for Dell laptops along with a Dell ExpressSign-In facial recognition and the Dell Peripheral Manager. The magnetically attached webcam also features AI-powered auto framing that keeps people at the center of the picture no matter where they move as well as advanced customize settings.

Keblusek said innovative webcams are in high demand right now as many executives and teams are working remote or in some sort of hybrid environment where video conferencing and audio clarity matters.

“It’s about people looking professional on calls. It is funny when you see different cameras and different people’s quality of their work-from-home. You can tell the people who actually took the time and care, and others who are just simply using a built-in, low quality laptop camera,” said Keblusek. “When your working with people from home, the video or the audio sometimes aren’t very good unless someone is talking right at their laptop. Depending on the laptop, some are good and some aren’t. So if Dell is trying to solve that with something economical that corporations could standardize on – that’s a good thing.”

Dell’s stock is trading near an all-time high of around $100 per share, up 40 percent over the past six months.

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Dell UltraSharp Webcam for 4K Video Conferencing With AI-Based Auto-Framing Launched in India - Gadgets 360

Dell UltraSharp Webcam has been launched as a premium offering for 4K video conferences. The cylindrically-shaped webcam features a 4K Sony sensor that is claimed to provide enhanced video communication even in low light. Dell has also preloaded an Auto-Framing feature that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to keep users in focus even when they move a bit. The webcam also carries a software-backed noise reduction feature. The launch of the Dell UltraSharp Webcam comes amid the growing adoption of video conferencing, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam price in India, availability details

Dell UltraSharp Webcam price in India has been set at Rs. 18,999 ($199.99 in the US). The webcam will be available for purchase worldwide through Dell's enterprise channels starting today (Tuesday, June 29).

Dell UltraSharp Webcam specifications

The Dell UltraSharp Webcam features an 8.3-megapixel Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor that has up to 4K UHD resolution at 24fps/ 30fps frame rate. The webcam also has full-HD and HD resolution at a frame rate of up to 60fps. Dell has provided a multi-element lens on top to capture additional light. For capturing vivid colours, the webcam comes with a Digital Overlap HDR capability. There is also a 3D/ 2D video noise reduction that uses software algorithms to eliminate grainy images.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam comes with an 8.3-megapixel Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor
Photo Credit: Dell Technologies

Unlike a traditional webcam, the Dell UltraSharp Webcam offers customisable field of view that can be picked among 65-, 78-, and 90-degree, along with 5x digital zoom. The webcam also includes a Dell Express Sign-In feature that uses the built-in proximity sensor to detect your presence and automatically logs you out when you step away. There is also an infrared (IR) sensor to enable seamless log-in using Windows Hello.

The Dell UltraSharp Webcam is made of an all-aluminium cylindrical body that features a smooth textured metallic finish on top. The webcam also comes with a magnetic mount and a tripod adapter for easy clipping. The magnetic mount can also be placed on a thin-bezel monitor and has a cable management slot.

Dell UltraSharp Webcam can be mounted on a tripod
Photo Credit: Dell Technologies

In terms of connectivity, the Dell UltraSharp Webcam has a USB Type-C port that can be used with the bundled USB-A-to-USB-Type C cable (two metres in length) to connect with a PC. There is also a magnetic snap-on cover that can be placed on the front when not in use to keep your stay protected. You can also snap the cover to the back when the webcam is in use.

The Dell webcam also has a white LED light indicator to inform users when it is in use. This is similar to how you see a green indicator appearing next to the webcam on Apple MacBooks.

For enhanced focusing, the webcam uses the AI-backed Auto-Framing feature that helps to keep you in focus and the centre of the frame.

Dell has provided support for both Windows 10 and macOS devices on the UltraSharp Webcam. For customisation, the device requires the Dell Peripheral Manager software. It is also certified for platforms including Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

The Dell UltraSharp Webcam measures 42 x 90 mm in size, while its mount measures 32 x 65 x 9.4 mm. It requires an external microphone for video conferences as there isn't a dedicated microphone on board.

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Top 5 phones to launch in India in July 2021: OnePlus Nord 2, Realme GT 5G, Redmi 10, more - BGR India

Samsung Galaxy F22

Samsung Galaxy F22 is also tipped to launch in India in July, to be specific in the second week of the month. The launch date hasn’t been revealed yet. The phone is expected to be priced under Rs 15000 and compete with phones such as Realme 8 5G, Redmi Note 10S, Poco M3 Pro and more.

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Nikon Z FC Brings New-Gen APS-C Mirrorless Tech in Classic, Retro Style at Rs 84,995 - News18

The Nikon Z FC is here, joining Nikon’s expanding list of Z-mount mirrorless cameras. Before any spec talk, it is a gorgeous take by Nikon that harks back to the classic, 35mm film SLR camera design. The Z FC also proves that Fujifilm isn’t the only one in the market that can make convincing retro designs for its cameras paired with cutting edge mirrorless camera tech, and while its primary design fuses a metal alloy and black plastic body, Nikon will also make it available in a total of six colour options some time in the future. In terms of performance, the Nikon Z FC is quite close to what the Nikon Z50 offers – which is pretty decent for beginner photographers and occasional hobbyists.

In terms of its performance, the Nikon Z FC features an APS-C DX format image sensor with 20.9 megapixel resolution, which is exactly the same as what the Z50 offers. The top panel is super interesting – there’s an electronic OLED viewfinder module that is designed in an old school optical pentaprism viewfinder housing design. On either end, it features three physical dials to control shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation. Surrounding the shutter speed toggle, there is also a step-wise toggle that lets you select from full manual shooting, aperture priority, shutter speed priority, program and full auto modes. In other words, you can control your essentials of shooting without touching the touchscreen.

The top panel of the camera also has a hot shoe to connect accessories, and there is also a tiny LCD display that shows you the exposure reading – something that you can directly control from compatible lenses. The Nikon Z FC also gets a 209-point hybrid phase detection and contrast autofocus module, which covers 87 percent of the frame. On paper, this bit is somewhat mid-tier, so it remains to be seen how it works out in the real world. The native ISO range goes from 100 to 51200, which is about what you’d expect from it.

While videography isn’t the key focus for the Nikon Z FC, the APS-C camera can shoot at up to 4K 30fps, or full HD at 120fps. The button layout is comparable to the Nikon Z50 as well, but there are key differences in terms of the physical buttons and the touchscreen layout, on overall terms. Connectivity features include USB-C, HDMI, a 3.5mm mic port, and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as well. The vari-angle touchscreen is also about as convenient as general touchscreens go. On overall terms, the Nikon Z FC is a fusion between the Nikon Df and the legendary FM2 – with mainstream, new-age chops.

There is a new Z-mount DX 16-50mm lens to go with it as the standard kit lens, and a second, new kit lens in the shape of 28mm f/2.8. The Nikon Z FC body only costs Rs 84,995, while the 16-50mm kit costs Rs 97,995. The 28mm kit, on the other hand, costs Rs 1,05,995. The camera and both the lenses will be available from the last week of July in India, across all usual channels.

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