India bans Xiaomi’s Mi Browser Pro, and QQ International app

The Government of India recently had banned and blocked access to 59 apps with Chinese connections like TikTok, Xiaomi’s Mi Community, Mi Video Call, Xender, Shareit, Cam Scanner and even Weibo, citing that they are “prejudicial to [the] sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of state and public order.” This list was further expanded to include 47 more apps, and this list predominantly included functional clones of the previously banned apps. Now, the Government of India has banned some more apps, including Xiaomi’s Mi Browser Pro and the QQ International app.

According to a report by Times of India, the Government of India has decided to widen the action against apps with Chinese connections, and consequently, has decided to ban Xiaomi’s Mi Browser Pro, and the QQ International IM app. Consequently, these apps are no longer available for download to Indian users.

Unlike Mi Browser Pro, it is the stock Mi Browser that is preloaded on Xiaomi’s devices. The preloaded Mi Browser continues to work on Xiaomi devices, though it isn’t immediately clear if the move extends to the stock browser as well. If it does, Xiaomi will have to work to remove access to the browser from its devices. Such a move will consequently impact a very large percentage of users in the Indian smartphone market, although these users can always download a different browser through the Google Play Store.

Xiaomi India offered the following comment to the report:

“Xiaomi continues to comply and adhere to all data privacy and security requirements under the Indian law. We are working towards understanding the development and will take appropriate measures as required. As part of the process, we will work with key stakeholders for an opportunity to make our submissions.”

Xiaomi’s Mi Browser Pro was previously mired in its own controversy some months ago. Security researchers had accused the browser of collecting a wide variety of data related to web browsing, even when users browse in “incognito mode”. In response, Xiaomi did update the browser with an option to allow users to opt-out of tracking in incognito mode. India’s ban is likely to be unrelated to this erstwhile privacy issue, and more in response to other political developments in Asia.

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Source: Times of India

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Xiaomi Mi TV Stick challenges the Amazon Fire TV Stick in India with a launch price of ₹2,799 ($37)

Xiaomi has shaken the smartphone and smart TV market in India, and the company is not planning to stop just there. With the launch of the Mi Box 4K, Xiaomi trained its sights against the budding TV streaming segment in the country that Amazon was capitalizing on with its Fire TV sticks. And now, Xiaomi has launched the new Mi TV Stick, which squarely competes against Amazon’s offerings in India.

The Xiaomi Mi TV Stick comes with a quad-core SoC with Cortex-A53, as well as an ARM Mali-450 GPU. There is 1GB of RAM on board, and 8GB of storage. The highlight of this streaming stick is the fact that it runs Android TV 9.0 and comes with built-in Chromecast as well as Google Assistant. It is bundled with a Bluetooth remote control, which includes dedicated buttons for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. It also comes with Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube apps installed out of the box, but you can always download other apps such as Disney+ Hotstar, HBO, ZEE5, and many more from the Google Play Store. The streaming stick supports up to 1080p 60fps videos in a wide range of formats, including RM, MOV, VOB, MKV, TS, AVI, and MP4. DTS and Dolby Audio formats are supported as well. The Mi TV Stick itself has a HDMI port and a microUSB port for power, and Bluetooth 4.2 and Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4GHz/5GHz for connectivity.

However, the killer feature on the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick is actually it’s pricing. The device will be available for just ₹2,799 (~$37), which is even lower than the €39.99 (~$50) pricing for Europe. The pricing is also obviously lower than the Mi Box 4K, which is to be expected due to the feature disparity between the two. These TV Streaming sticks are intended to be used on older dumb-TVs, and one is unlikely to find an older 4K dumb TV around — the Mi TV Stick makes perfect sense for someone that does not have a 4K panel around, and thus, does not need the hardware for it. The Stick also competes directly with the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD that is often available for a discounted price of ₹2,999 (~$40), making Xiaomi’s offering an incredible deal right off the bat.

Buy the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick from Mi.com

The Mi TV Stick will be available from August 7, 2020, across Mi.com, Mi Homes, Flipkart.com, and later on, from select offline channels.

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The final OxygenOS 11 developer preview arrives August 10th as OnePlus preps for Android 11

At the end of July, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau teased an always-on display feature coming to OxygenOS 11, its Android software based on Android 11. Now, OnePlus has provided a bit more information on its plans for OxygenOS 11, including when the last preview build will happen.

In a blog post published on Tuesday, Lau revealed OnePlus will release its final developer preview build of OxygenOS 11 for the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro on August 10th. The company invites its “most technically-inclined” community members to try the release. “Then once we’ve squashed most of the big bugs and improved over stability, we’ll release a full open beta to let even more of you try it out,” Lau said.

What kind of new features can users expect to see in OxygenOS 11? Lau didn’t say, but more than likely users can expect what’s new in Android 11, including Bubble notifications, improved media controls, and more. OxygenOS 11 will also likely feature always-on display support, along with “some highly anticipated features that many of you have been asking for,” Lau teased. Users can also expect smoother performance, new customization options, and other UI changes. August 10th is also the date when OnePlus will unveil its latest version of HydrogenOS, the company’s Android software for the China region. Since HydrogenOS and OxygenOS are very close in terms of UI and core features, we can glean what’s new in HydrogenOS 11 as a preview of what’s to come for OxygenOS 11.

With the launch of Android 11 next month, OnePlus users can likely expect OxygenOS 11 to shortly after. The company will likely release the update first for its current flagships, the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro, followed by its mid-range OnePlus Nord. The update will then likely follow for the OnePlus 7T series and the OnePlus 7 series. The OnePlus 6 and 6T already received their second major Android OS upgrade in the form of Android 10, but it’s possible that OnePlus could extend another upgrade for the two smartphones like they did when they brought Android 9 Pie to the OnePlus 3 and 3T.

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Samsung Galaxy A51 5G comes to T-Mobile and Verizon starting at $499

The Galaxy A51 was Samsung’s big mid-range hit of 2020. It features an immersive 6.5-inch OLED display with a centered hole-punch camera, quad rear cameras with a 48MP sensor, and a competitive price tag of $399 in the U.S. With the influx of more affordable 5G smartphones, Samsung is adding its own mid-range 5G smartphones to its catalog. Hence, earlier this year, the Samsung Galaxy A51 5G was announced with the same design, display, and cameras, but with added support for 5G connectivity. A few months after its initial announcement, the Galaxy A51 5G will soon become available in the U.S. starting at $499—making it Samsung’s cheapest 5G smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy A51 5G XDA Forum

The Galaxy A51 5G is an important smartphone both for Samsung and for the U.S. market as most 5G devices are expensive flagships. 5G-capable flagship smartphones cost anywhere between $800 to a jaw-dropping $1200, which is partly due to the fact that 5G connectivity is mandatory for all phones powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. The Galaxy A51 5G, on the other hand, is powered by the cheaper Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, which features an integrated 5G modem (the Snapdragon X52). It’s pretty much identical to the LTE version of the device in all other aspects.

Now, for availability. The Galaxy A51 5G will become available on Samsung.com and T-Mobile starting August 7th and soon after on Metro by T-Mobile as well. Verizon users can expect the device to become available starting August 13th. The Galaxy A51 5G UW for Verizon will support the carrier’s mmWave network.

Additional carrier availability will be announced at a later date according to Samsung’s blog post. Samsung says the phone starts at a price of $499.99 which is far from “budget” but still a pretty decent price to pay for a 5G smartphone, all things considered. In comparison, the Samsung’s other mid-range 5G smartphone, the Galaxy A71 5G, has a retail price of $599.99.

Are you planning to pick one up?

		Galaxy A51 5G
Display		6.5-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED
		Infinity-O Display (1080×2400)
Camera	Rear	Quad Camera Main: 48MP, F2.0 Ultra Wide: 12MP, F2.2 Depth: 5MP, F2.2 Macro: 5MP, F2.4
	Front	Selfie: 32MP, F2.2
Body		73.6 x 158.9 x 8.7 mm, 187g
AP		Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Memory		6GB / 8GB RAM
		128GB Internal Storage
		MicroSD Slot (up to 1TB)
Battery		4,500mAh (typical), 15W Adaptive Fast Charging
Biometrics		On-Screen Fingerprint
Color		Prism Cube Black, Prism Cube White, Prism Cube Pink

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Samsung is reportedly making a custom chip for Google that tracks body movement

When Google announced its intent to buy Fitbit, it took a big step toward becoming a major player in the fitness-tracking market. That acquisition has raised eyebrows among European regulators, but Google fully intends to go through with the deal. Now, thanks to a report from Korean publication ETNews, we may have an idea for what Google is planning to do in the wearable space — and it involves Samsung.

Apparently, Google has commissioned Samsung to design and fabricate a chip capable of tracking body movement. Google isn’t a stranger to using its own chips; the company uses its own Pixel Visual Core imaging co-processor and the Titan M hardware security module in Pixel smartphones. In these two cases, however, Google designed the chipsets themselves rather than handing off that duty to a third-party.

ETNews doesn’t provide details about which device this Samsung-made chip will make its debut in. But based on recent comments from Google’s Rick Osterloh, in which he teased Google and Fitbit creating “compelling devices for people around the world,” this movement tracking chip will more than likely appear in a new wearable made by Google.

Google’s acquisition still has to pass scrutiny from the EU, and a determination likely won’t be made until the end of this year. If that’s the case, we probably won’t see Google’s new chip show up in a wearable until 2021 at the earliest.

Notably, this report also mentions that Samsung obtained an order from Google to manufacture “more than one chip.” The other chip in question may be Google’s rumored “Whitechapel” mobile processor.

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Featured image credits: Joe Fedewa for XDA

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The Motorola One Fusion+ comes to North America for $399

Motorola has announced that its One Fusion+ mid-range smartphone will launch in North America tomorrow on Wednesday, August 5th. The Motorola One Fusion+ will retail for $399 in the U.S.

While many people might have their eyes set on Google’s new Pixel 4a, Motorola’s mid-range device is worth consideration. Not only does it feature a large, 6.5-inch FHD+ display, but it comes equipped with a quad-camera setup comprised of a 64MP main camera, an 8MP wide-angle camera, a 5MP macro camera, and a 2MP depth sensor. Additionally, it features a 16-megapixel pop-up selfie camera. This allowed Motorola to create a display that’s not interrupted by a notch or hole-punch, giving it a true full-screen experience.

Other specs include a large 5,000mAh battery, Android 10, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor, 128GB of storage, and 6GB of RAM. It also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is good news for users who prefer wired headphones. The one big downside compared to the Pixel 4a is software support. Motorola has promised to deliver at least one major OS update to Android 11 as well as 2 years of security updates. That’s less than Google’s promise of 3 years of OS and security updates for the Pixel 4a.

Specification	Motorola One Fusion+
Dimensions and Weight	162.9 x 76.9 x 9.6mm Plastic body 210g
Display	6.5″ FHD+ (2340 x 1080) IPS LCD; 19.5:9 aspect ratio HDR10 support
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G: 2x Kryo 470 Gold (Cortex-A76-based) cores @ 2.2GHz 6x Kryo 470 Silver Cortex-A76-based cores @ 1.8GHz Adreno 618 (600MHz)
RAM and Storage	6GB RAM + 128GB
Battery & Charging	5,000 mAh battery 18W TurboCharger
Rear Camera	Primary: 64MP, f/1.8, 0.8μ Secondary: 8MP wide-angle, f/2.2, 1.12μ Tertiary: 5MP Super Macro, f/2.4, 1.12μ Quaternary: 2MP Depth Sensor, f/2.4, 1.75μ
Front Camera	16MP pop-up f/2.0 selfie shooter
Other Features	3.5mm headphone jack Bluetooth 5.0 Dual-frequency GPS Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac USB Type-C, USB 2.0 Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner Dedicated Google Assistant button
Android Version	Android 10 with Motorola Experience

We actually reviewed the Motorola One Fusion+ and found it to be a fantastic mid-range option. “The Motorola One Fusion+ feels like a complete bundle of everything that you essentially need to make a good mid-range smartphone,” we said in our review, adding that it’s an “easy choice” who those looking for well-rounded performance.

Motorola One Fusion+ Forums

The device will be available unlocked from Motorola’s website starting tomorrow. The device is also already available in several European countries for €299 and in India for ₹16,999.

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Via: Engadget

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T-Mobile launches the first nationwide standalone (SA) 5G network

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile are competing to deliver next-generation 5G connectivity to hundreds of millions of Americans. While Verizon is deploying its high-throughput, low-latency mmWave network in new U.S. cities every month, T-Mobile and AT&T are rapidly expanding their slower but more accessible sub-6GHz networks across the country. T-Mobile, in particular, has aggressively upgraded its 5G network after acquiring Sprint’s 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum. Now, the carrier has announced a major milestone in its 5G deployment efforts: The rollout of a nationwide standalone 5G network.

For those unfamiliar, the vast majority of 5G networks around the world are considered non-standalone (NSA) as 5G radios are broadcast using existing 4G LTE infrastructure as the backbone. While that allows carriers to more quickly provide 5G access thanks to the broad availability of existing 4G infrastructure, the downside is that download, upload, and latency won’t meeting consumer expectations of next-generation 5G connectivity.

AT&T is using a technique called Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) to operate both 4G LTE and 5G NR simultaneously on the same network band, but this is only a stopgap solution to ease the carrier’s transition from a non-standalone to a standalone (SA) 5G network. T-Mobile, however, doesn’t need to use DSS (which incurs performance penalties), as it has a lot of mid-band spectrum in which it can offer 5G service.

Now, T-Mobile is leveraging its extensive cellular spectrum holdings to be the first to deploy a nationwide SA 5G network. The company is boasting up to 40% lower latency and 20-30% faster download and upload speeds while testing its new SA 5G network, according to VentureBeat citing T-Mobile VP Karri Kuoppamaki. In addition, T-Mobile says that they’ve expanded 5G coverage by 30%, allowing them to provide service to nearly 250 million Americans in over 7,500 cities across 1.3 million square miles. This expanded coverage is now possible because, under T-Mobile’s new SA 5G network, a 600MHz 5G signal can cover much more distance from a single tower. In contrast, under T-Mobile’s previous NSA 5G network, 600MHz 5G was combined with mid-band LTE to access the core network, so the 5G signal could only travel as far as the mid-band LTE signal.

VentureBeat states that T-Mobile will continue to operate its NSA 5G network as it transitions to full SA 5G coverage.

One of the other benefits of SA 5G for consumers may be improved smartphone battery life. That’s because, according to VentureBeat, smartphones connected to standalone 5G networks won’t need to simultaneously have their 4G LTE and 5G NR radios active. Many existing 5G smartphones support SA 5G, though not every device will be capable of connecting to T-Mobile’s new 5G network. Sprint and T-Mobile devices with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X55 modem will for sure be capable of connecting to the new network.

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