iPhone 6s with 12-Megapixel iSight Camera

iPhone 6s with 12-Megapixel iSight Camera

Apple has finally revealed its September 9 event, which was rumoured since earlier this month. The Cupertino-based tech firm is said to announce its new iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus smartphones at the event, alongside the next-gen #Apple TV and the formal launch of iOS 9. 

The current models feature an 8-megapixel rear iSight #camera and miss out on the 4K resolution video recording. It is worth noting that, if the rumour is true, this would be the first time since the iPhone 4s that the #iPhone series' camera resolution would be upgraded. Also tipped is an improved image signal processor, alongside the improved A9 SoC.

The report also talks about the handsets' improved FaceTime camera for higher quality videos and selfie shots. Furthermore, Apple is also tipped to add a front-facing flash along with the FaceTime camera. 9to5Mac says that while certain code strings in iOS 9 beta versions have hinted at the inclusion of a front-facing flash, its sources have denied such reports. Instead, the handset might borrow features from Snapchat or PhotoBooth where the handset display would flash a quick white screen when users press the front camera shutter. Other expected features include front-facing panorama shots and HD resolution slow-motion video recording.

Previously, we'd seen the purported iPhone 6s display panel in a video that was posted last month. It is worth noting that some Force Touch feature codes were also found in the iOS 9 beta codes when tested by 9to5Mac. The feature is being said to be used for several functions, one of which is said to be the keyboard trackpad scrolling. cnBeta, which leaked the unassembled iPhone 6s Plus cover box about which we mentioned above, has added that the two upcoming iPhone 6s handsets will be backed by a smaller battery than the ones in current generation. The iPhone 6s Plus is said to feature a 2750mAh battery, down from the current estimated 2915mAh offering.

As for the previously rumours new Pink colour variant, the smartphone is now said to be set to come in the specific Rose Gold colour variant already introduced with Apple Watch. Notably, the Rose Gold colour variant of the iPhone 6s would be more like the copper-hued variation instead of pink, which we saw in recent leaks. Also, mentioned, was that the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus would reportedly bemissing out on sapphire crystal display covers.

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Apps Appear in Android Search Results

Apps Appear in Android Search Results

Google is making it easier than ever to find Android apps through searches. A new update changes the way apps entries appear in the search results when you look for a particular kind of app - say rpg games, or music apps - on Google Now or Chrome (for now) on your Android device. Instead of catering a number of Web links to you, the company is now offering users results in a grid of six apps under the Apps section.

Clicking on the section opens a wider list of apps. Clicking on any entry takes you to its corresponding Google Play link, as you would expect. The search result also follows Material Design guidelines, which the company has been aggressively bringing across all of its apps and services.

The update, which seems to be gradually rolling out to Android users, lists down entries that are placed next horizontally and vertically to each other, replacing the earlier list view of a few relevant apps in search results. Interestingly, if users click on the Apps tab to filter search results, they are shown app results in the earlier list form.

The move could significantly improve user experience as it genuinely improves apps discovery. And for those who don't like this feature, the regular search results and other sections follow right after (and in some cases before as well) the Apps section in results. The change is only on Android, and is aimed at easier search to app install conversions.

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Microsoft Lumia 950, 950 XL

Microsoft Lumia 950, 950 XL

Microsoft's rumoured premium #Lumia handsets, the Lumia 950 (codenamed Talkman) and Lumia 950 XL (codenamed Cityman), have been leaked in press renders.

The leaked press render also shows the Lumia 950 XL smartphone's Blue colour model. The handset is seen featuring a Windows logo on the rear panel alongside the primary camera and dual-LED flash. The right side of the handset is seen featuring physical buttons for power, volume rocker, and camera. The front panel holds the display and the Microsoft logo branding above the screen.

The #Microsoft Lumia 950 (codenamed Talkman), on the other hand, was spotted in a Black colour variant. Much like the Cityman, the Talkman smartphone features the Windows logo at the rear and Microsoft Logo branding above the display. The side panel holds the power, volume, and camera button. The rear camera on the Lumia 950 looks to be surrounded by a chrome ring with the dual LED flash. Both the Lumia 950 and 950 XL smartphones can be spotted with onscreen home, back, and search buttons.

Some of the purported specifications of the Microsoft Lumia 950 (see below) tipped include a 5.2-inch QHD Oled display; a 64-bit hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC; 3GB RAM, a 20-megapixel PureView rear camera; a 5-megapixel wide-angle front-facing camera; 32GB of inbuilt storage expandable via microSD card; USB Type-C; Qi wireless charging support, and a 3000mAh removable battery.

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How to Get Fare Estimates for Uber Taxis on Twitter

How to Get Fare Estimates for Uber Taxis on Twitter

Uber’s mobile app has a built-in fare estimator but you can now also Twitter to calculate the fare.send it to @WhatTheFare and the bot will let you know the approximate fare for your ride in less than a minute.

@WhatTheFare is a new Twitter bot that will help you estimate the cost of your Uber trip. You’ll get to know the fare as well the different types of Uber taxis that are available on that route. And you can use the bot to estimate fare for trips anywhere in the world where Uber service is available.

You can use the bot from anywhere in the world but the Uber prices are always provided in the currency of the pickup/drop-off address. Here’re some sample tweets that used the @WhatTheFare bot to know Uber prices.

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How to Download Windows 10 for Free

How to Download Windows 10 for Free

Downloading Windows 10 ISO
The surest way to get Windows 10 right away is to head over to Microsoft's website and download the Windows 10 ISO file. Considering the size of the download, you will need a fast Internet connection to download this file, as well as a blank USB or DVD drive to burn the ISO file so you can run setup on your machine. Visit the Microsoft website for further instructions and license requirements.

You are upgrading from Windows 7 or Windows 8.x
As mentioned earlier, Windows 10 is a free upgrade if you are running Windows 7 or Windows 8.x. Here's how you can upgrade:

1. Open Windows Update (search for Windows Update in Start Menu or Start Screen).
2. If your computer is eligible, you'll see the option to upgrade to Windows 10.

In some cases, like in Windows 7, you may need to first download the SP1 update, before going to Windows 10. Do note that this could take a while.

In case you don't see any update, you will need to manually reserve a copy of Windows 10. You can do so by following these simple steps. If you can't wait for the upgrade to show up and don't mind making some effort, download the Windows 10 ISO as mentioned above and follow those steps to get Windows 10 right away.

Alternatively, there's another way to force download the Windows 10 on your existing Windows 7 or Windows 8.x install - simply follow these steps.

If the Windows 10 update does show, your computer will automatically begin to download the new updates and get you to the new operating system. Agree to all Microsoft's terms in the following prompts.

You purchase Windows 10 from a retail store (preferred option for Windows XP users)
1. Plug-in the Windows 10 USB drive to your computer or Insert Windows 10 disc to the DVD drive.
2. Reboot your computer.
3. Alter the standard boot preference to boot from your USB or DVD drive. You can do so by pressing the Esc key or F1 key before the booting process begins. It could vary depending on your motherboard manufacturer. 
4. Press any key to continue, and select Next on the following screen.
5. Click Install.
6. Select the first option if you prefer to keep your existing operating system and files. Select Custom if you want to replace your system's existing operating system with Windows 10.

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Lenovo's Transparent Display Smartphone

Lenovo's Transparent Display Smartphone 

Lenovo's Zuk brand, by teasing a prototype smartphone with a transparent display, has come in direct competition with the likes of Samsung and LG, both of which have already showcased prototypes onfoldable Youm displays, transparent displays, and bezel-less displays in the past.

Zuk earlier this week launched its first smartphone named Z1 in China, priced at CNY 1,799 (approximately Rs. 18,250). Lenovo's new online-only brand is aimed at countering the rise of Xiaomi in China, which too has followed a low-cost online-only model. While Lenovo so far has not detailed any plans to launch its online-only smartphone brand outside China, it is expected the company may bring the brand to other markets. Zuk Z1 is one of the few smartphones that feature USB Type-C port, a large 4100mAh battery, fingerprint sensor, and a 13-megapixel rear camera with Sony sensor (IMX214) and optical image stabilization (OIS), a feature that's found in select high-end smartphones.

In a series of images posted on Weibo from the Z1 launch event on Tuesday, the prototype smartphone is seen featuring a near bezel-less frame on the transparent glass-like display. The prototype is said to perform almost all functions of a traditional smartphone such as displaying images, making phone calls, play music, and more, and features an Android-like interface.

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Ubuntu Edition Smartphones Launched

Ubuntu Edition Smartphones Launched

The first Ubuntu phones have been announced for India, and will available to buy exclusively via Snapdeal by the end of the month. Launched earlier this year in Europe by Spanish manufacturer BQ, the Aquaris E4.5 and Aquaris E5 HD smartphones run Ubuntu OS (formerly known as Ubuntu Touch OS) and have been priced at Rs. 11,999 and Rs. 13,499 respectively. The dual-SIM dual standby smartphones will be available in Black and White colour variants.

The BQ Aquaris E5 HD, as the name suggests, features a 5-inch HD display and will be powered by a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek processor (unspecified model), clubbed with 1GB of RAM. The smartphone also sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with dual-LED flash and a BSI sensor and Largan lens, apart from a 5-megapixel front-facing camera for video chats.

Featuring 16GB of inbuilt storage with microSD card expandability (up to 32GB card), the Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G (HSPA+), GPS/ A-GPS, Micro-USB, and FM radio connectivity options. The device is backed by a 2500mAh battery. The handset measures 142x71x8.6mm, weighs 134 grams.

The smartphone sports an 8-megapixel rear camera with dual-LED flash and a BSI sensor, apart from a 5-megapixel front-facing camera for video chats. Both the cameras feature interpolation or picture-stitching technology that allows users to take 13-megapixel images with the rear camera, and 8-megapixel images with the front-facing camera. Featuring 8GB of inbuilt storage with microSD card expandability (up to 32GB card), the Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition also offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, 3G (HSPA+), GPS/ A-GPS, Micro-USB with OTG, and FM radio connectivity options. The BQ Aquaris E4.5 Ubuntu Edition measures 137x67x9mm, weighs 123 grams, is backed by a 2150mAh Li-Po battery.

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Microsoft Cortana for Android

Microsoft Cortana for Android

Cortana is now available to all Android users - well at least in select regions. Microsoft has announced the public beta of its digital voice assistant for devices powered by Google's mobile operating system. Cortana is available for download in the US via Google Play Store. It is officially not yet available in India, but you can still sideload it on your device.

Cortana for Android is very similar to its Windows Phone counterpart. It maintains the same user interface and functionalities. If you've never used Cortana before, it is Microsoft's take on digital voice assistant. It competes with Apple's Siri, and Google's Google Now.

You can have Cortana take notes, add reminders, and ask it for weather and traffic updates. Cortana is also available on Windows 10, Microsoft's newest desktop operating system. If you are using it on your computer, you can use Cortana for Android as a companion app. Once integrated, you will be able to see your notes, emails, and other things from computer synced right into your Android mobile device.

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How To Start Using ShareASale Affiliate Marketplace

How To Start Using ShareASale Affiliate Marketplace

ShareASale was started in 2000 & it’s a popular service for marketers to launch an affiliate program for their product or services. At the time, bloggers & Affiliate marketers can find new Affiliate program & join them. This tutorial is more inclined towards blogger to understand how it works & how to use ShareASale. 

• Merchants: Merchants are business owners who set up their affiliate program so that affiliates can join & drive more sales to their business in return of fixed commission.
• Affiliate marketers: Users like me & you who join an affiliate program & promote it via blog, PPC or other methods.
• Affiliate Software: This could be self-hosted or services like ShareASale, ClickBank, CJ where affiliate program is hosted. In this case, ShareASale is the affiliate software.
• Affiliate Marketplace: A marketplace where an affiliate can discover new opportunities & join an affiliate program. Similarly, a marketer gets to expose their affiliate program to affiliate marketers.

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How to Insert Table in Blog Post

How to Insert Table in Blog Post 

 

On my previous post on how to make a table in a blog Post, I discussed how to make table of two or three column with a heading. In this post, I will discuss how to insert a table in a blog post.

Go to Blogger – Dashboard – New post. It opens to a page where you can write a new post. If you are writing a normal post, you usually go to compose and write your post there but this time click on Edit HTML link, instead of compose.

Insert the code of the table that you want on Edit HTML mode. In this example, I am going to use my previous two columns table that I made in my tutorial on how to make a table in a blog post ;  I click on Edit HTML and paste the following code there;

<table border=”1”>

<tr>
< th> Blog Ideas and Tips </th>
< th> Blog Ideas </th>
< /tr>

< tr>
< td> Blogger ideas and tips </td>
< td> Blogger ideas</td>

<tr>
< td>Blog Spot</td>
< td> Blogging</td>
< /tr>

< tr>
< td> Tips</td>
< td> Ideas</td>
< /tr>
< /table>

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How to Remove Password from PDF Files using Google Chrome

How to Remove Password from PDF Files using Google Chrome

PDF file has a different #password so it’s impossible to remember them and takes just too much to find these PDFs later.#Google Drive is already protected with 2 layers of security – password and 2-factor #authentication – it should be OK if we remove the password protection from PDF files before uploading them to #Drive.

Google Chrome has a built-in PDF reader* and a PDF writer and we can combine the two features to remove the password from any PDF document. Let’s see how:

1. Drag any password protected PDF file into your Google Chrome browser. 
2. Google Chrome will now prompt you to enter the password of the file. Enter the password and hit Enter to open the file.
3. Now go to the File menu in Google #Chrome and choose Print (or press Ctrl+P on Windows or Cmd+P on Mac). Choose the destination printer as “Save as PDF” and click the Save button.

Remove PDF Passwords without Chrome

If you are not a Google Chrome user, download this free Windows utility calledBeCyPDFMetaEdit to remove passwords from PDF files.

First launch the program and it will ask your for the location of the PDF file. Before you select and open the PDF, change the mode to “Complete Rewrite,” then switch to the Security tab and set the “Security System” to “No encryption.” Click the Save button and your PDF will no longer require a password to open.

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How to Make Calls, Send and Receive SMS From Your Computer Using an Android Phone

How to Make Calls, Send and Receive SMS From Your Computer Using an Android Phone

AirDroid gives Android users most of Continuity's feature.Continuity also has a feature called Handoff, which allows you to pick up where you left off with apps. Whether it's finishing an incomplete message on Mail or a document in Pages, these automatically sync across Apple devices with Handoff.

Airdroid 3 lets you send and receive text messages, make and reject  calls, receive notifications and transfer files via your computer. You control the phone using a Web client, so you don't have to install any software, and can use the app simply by visiting a webpage on either your PC or Mac.

1. Download AirDroid on your Android phone.
2. Open the app on your Android phone.
3. The app will ask you to create an account, but it is not needed. Just tap the tiny Sign in later button at the bottom.
4. Now AirDroid will ask you for permission to show notifications on your computer in real time. Tap Enable.
5. This will take you to the system settings for access to notifications. Tap AirDroid Notification Mirror service.
6. A confirmation pop-up will appear. Tap OK.
7. Now hit the back button on your phone to return to AirDroid. The app will now display a URL - http://web.airdroid.com - on the phone.
8. Open the URL in any Web browser on your computer. You'll see a QR code in the browser window.
9. On AirDroid on your Android phone, tap the QR code image next to the URL. This will open the camera.
10. Point the camera at the QR code in the browser window on your computer. The Android app will vibrate when it has scanned the code.

You can get all Android notifications in that browser window. It's quite similar to the way you connect WhatsApp Web to your phone. In the browser window you will see apps such as Screenshot, Camera, Music, Photos, Videos - all of these are self explanatory. You can access the phone's camera via the computer, take screenshots, view and transfer photos and videos and listen and transfer songs as well. 

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Sony Alpha 7R II With 42.4-Megapixel Launched in India

Sony Alpha 7R II With 42.4-Megapixel Launched in India

Sony India has announced the launch of its new flagship full-frame mirrorless camera, the Alpha 7R II. The Sony Alpha 7R II interchangeable lens camera features a back-illuminated full-frame Exmor R CMOS sensor with a resolution of 42.4 effective megapixels and ISO up to 102400.

The Alpha 7R II also includes a 5-axis image stabilisation system borrowed from the Alpha 7 II (Review), and has the ability to shoot and record 4K videos in multiple formats including Super 35mm (without pixel binning) and full-frame format. Sony claims the AF response in Alpha 7R II is up to 40 per cent faster than the original Alpha 7R, thanks to 399 focal plane phase detection AF points.

Sony says the sensor inside the Alpha 7R II combines gapless on-chip lens design and AR (anti-reflective) coating on the surface of the sensor's glass seal to "dramatically improve light collection efficiency, resulting in high-sensitivity with low-noise performance and wide dynamic range (ISO 100-25600, expandable to 50-1024002)." The new Alpha 7R II features the BIONZ X image processing engine with no optical low pass filter on the camera.

Sony is also claiming 50 percent less vibration from shutter movements Alpha 7R II when compared to its predecessor, and a cycle durability of approximately 500,000 shots. The camera can also be set to silent shooting mode in order to shoot images quietly without any sensor vibration or movement.

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Lumia Launch New Phones and Surface Pro 4

Lumia Launch New Phones and Surface Pro 4

Microsoft is reportedly set to launch two new Lumia smartphones, the Surface Pro 4 tablet, and the Microsoft Band 2 at a media event in October.

The company is also expected to utilise the event to also release the next generation Surface tablet. The reports noted that the Surface Pro 4 could be launched by the company. Sadly, not much is known about the tablet at the moment except for the possibility of it integrating a fingerprint sensor on the Surface keyboard. Microsoft's Surface Pro 3 was launched in 2014. The device has sold well and was also well-received by enthusiasts. The company launched the Surface 3, a smaller and less-powerful variant of the Surface Pro 3, in March this year.

If Microsoft indeed launches the two handsets, they will be the two most powerful Windows Phone handsets in the market. As per past reports, the Lumia 950 (Talkman) is said to have a 5.2-inch WQHD (1440x2560) display. It is said to be powered by a Snapdragon 808 processor with 3GB of RAM. Other features of the device include 32GB of internal storage with support for microSD card, and 20-megapixel and 5-megapixel camera sensors, and USB Type C charger. The Lumia 950 XL (Cityman) is said to have a 5.7-inch QWHD display and Snapdragon 810 chipset, with most other features largely being same as the Lumia 950.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Active With 4100mAh Battery

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Active With 4100mAh Battery 

ow, a new leak has tipped that the company may fit the 4100mAh battery into the Samsung Galaxy Note 5's rugged variant, likely to be launched as the Galaxy Note 5 Active in November. PhoneArena reports that the new Galaxy Note 5 variant may arrive in week 46, which begins from November 8, or the second-week of the month. Adding further, the report citing a tipster claims that the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Active will be made available exclusively on AT&T, similar to the Galaxy S6 Active.

Considering that the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active packs a larger 3500mAh battery compared to the original Galaxy S6's 2550mAh battery, the logic is that the Galaxy Note 5 Active will feature a larger battery. Though, one of the biggest doubts is that Samsung has never launched an Active variant of its Galaxy Note-series in the past. We will have to wait till November to see whether Samsung has an Active variant of its Galaxy Note 5.

The handset much like other Active-variant is said to sport IP68 rating that will make it water resistant (up to 1.5 metres for 30 minutes) and dust proof, and also make it sufficiently rugged to be shock resistant. It will probably also feature a US Mil-STD-810G rating, like the Galaxy S6 active, certified to withstand vibration, temperature extremes, humidity, and high altitude.

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MIUI 7 Global ROM Revealed

MIUI 7 Global ROM Revealed

Xiaomi on Wednesday at its MIUI 7 launch event in New Delhi revealed the global MIUI 7 ROM.Xiaomi announced that the MIUI 7 Beta starting Monday will be available for Beta-supported Mi devices, namely - Redmi 1S, Redmi 2, Mi 3, Mi 4, Mi 4i, Redmi Note, and Redmi Note 4G.

Additionally, Xiaomi India announced that the Mi 4i will be available in new colours - Blue, Pink, and Yellow - in limited edition variants, priced at Rs. 12,999.

Some of the highlights of the new MIUI 7 include four default themes (Rose, Pink Blush, Ocean Breeze, and High Life) to choose from; new themes that have a complete game on the lock screen; a daily lock screen feature that changes the lock screen wallpaper every day; the new copyrighted images exclusively for MIUI; up to 30 percent better response time than MIUI 6; a reduction in overall modem power alongside background restrictions apps to save up to 10 percent battery life; a XXL font size; a Baby album feature, which auto recognises baby faces and creates albums; a new Child mode in MIUI 7 allows users to choose apps accessible to child and also allows to add passwords, and mute notifications feature.

The company also announced MUSE, which will allow users to create Themes with animations and content without getting into coding. Xiaomi India clarified that the selection of HD wallpapers in MIUI 7, with 10 pre-sets available on the 'daily lock screen' rotation, are currently only available in India.

The MIUI 7 integration with Mi Band has been improved and will now switch the Mi phone to Do Not Disturb (DND) mode when it detects that the users is asleep.

One of the notable features added in MIUI 7 is the addition of Showtime, which allows users to record a short video loop on phone and exchange contact card with friends. This will mean that every time a friend calls you, the Showtime video will run in loop. The feature will be rolling out in coming months.

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VirusTotal:Check virus online.

VirusTotal: An online Tool to check Viruses or Malware

VirusTotal is a free online virus checker tool where you can upload any file & it would test it for the presence of viruses, worms, trojans, and all kinds of malware. Along with file upload, you can also check any online website/URL & find out if they contain any viruses. This is useful for bloggers as they often get warning that their site has been compromised, and with Virustotal you can quickly check your page to clarify your suspicion.

The tool is pretty easy to use. You can head to their homepage; click on “choose file” to upload any file from your computer (Up to 128 MB) & click on Scan it.

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Download and Save Your Facebook

 Facebook:

The world's most popular social network - Facebook - lets you download your posts, photos and videos you've shared, your messages, chat conversations and information from the About section of your profile. You can download the data easily, but the option is not easy to find. Here's how you can find it.

1. Open Facebook settings.

2. The last option, under Language, is "Download a copy of your Facebook data." This is written in small font size and it's hard to tell that only "Download a copy" in that sentence is actually a link. Click it.

3. In the next page, click Start My Archive > click Start My Archive again in the pop-up > enter your password > click Submit.

4. Facebook will send you an email with a link to a zip file, which you can download and view all your data offline. The data is in an HTML file, which means you can open it in any browser.

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iPad mini 4

iPad mini 4

Apple's rumored iPad mini 4 might support the Split View (two apps running side-by-side) feature revealed for the iPad in iOS 9. A resource file found within the Safari 9 browser in OS X El Capitan shows support for Split-View in Safari for the iPad mini. If true, this could also mean that the specifications of the upcoming iPad mini 4 will be on par with the iPad Air 2, which runs on the Apple A8X.

Developer Hamza Sood and 9to5Mac also report about a developer tool in El Capitan that's designed for developers to test the responsiveness of website designs allowing the simulation of an iPad mini with Safari in split-screen view.

Announced at WWDC in June earlier this year, the new version of Apple's mobile operating system --iOS 9 - comes with Split View, a feature that brings multitasking capability by allowing users to run two apps side-by-side, with the ability to adjust their screen space.

The feature was not announced for all the iPad tablets. Due to hardware limitations, only the iPad Air 2supports Split View. If the forthcoming iPad mini tablet is capable of supporting Split View, it is very likely that it comes with the same robust A8X SoC, or a comparable offering, as the iPad Air 2.

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Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ 

Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ as well as mobile payment service Samsung Pay at the Galaxy Unpacked 2015 event in New York on Thursday. The launches are intended to counter the success Apple has had with its large screen iPhone models and Apple Pay.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ boast identical specs: 5.7-inch QHD display, 4GB RAM, Exynos 7420 processor, 32GB base storage, 16-megapixel rear camera, and Android 5.1.

Samsung also announced the official launch its new mobile payment system. Samsung Pay will launch in Korea and US first, and will come to UK, China, and Spain at a later stage.

The new launches are aimed at keeping the South Korean giant atop the global smartphone market and countering its US rival Apple, which has made gains with its large-screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus and its tap-to-pay feature.

Samsung has traditionally announced the Note series flagship at IFA in the first week of September, but this time it is looking to trump rival Apple by announcing not one, but two new flagships well in advance. Daniel Gleeson at IHS Technology said Samsung "is hoping to steal a march on Apple's new iPhone announcement which will likely happen in early September."

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ kick off in the US from Thursday, and the smartphones will be made available from August 21. In the US, the Galaxy Note 5 will be available via AT&T (with a no commitment contract) at $739.99 (roughly Rs. 48,400) for the 32GB variant, and $839.99 (roughly Rs. 54,800) for the 64GB variant.

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ will be priced at $814.99 (roughly Rs. 53,300) and $914.99 (roughly Rs. 59,800) for the 32GB and 64GB variants respectively. Samsung said the Galaxy Note 5 will only be made available in select markets, while the Galaxy S6 Edge+ will feature wider availability.

With the new devices, Samsung expands from its 5.1-inch display on the existing Galaxy S6, and leapfrogs Apple's handsets at 4.7- and 5.5-inches.

Ramon Llamas, analyst at IDC, said the launch appears aimed at getting ahead of Apple, which is widely expected to announce its own upgrades later this year. 

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime With MIUI 7 Launched

Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime With MIUI 7 Launched 

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 has been priced at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,000) while the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 Prime will come at CNY 999 (approximately Rs. 10,000). The Redmi Note 2 will be also available in a 3G-only variant which will be available at CNY 799 (approximately Rs. 8,000). Unfortunately, the company hasn't revealed availability plans for other markets yet - though India details should be revealed on Monday at the company's New Delhi event.

The only difference between the Redmi Note 2 3G and 4G variants is the LTE connectivity support, and the rest of the specifications are the same. The Redmi Note 2 Prime, on the other hand, features a higher clocked processor and comes in only 32GB inbuilt storage variant, but is otherwise identical in terms of specifications to the Redmi Note 2. All the three new handsets run MIUI 7 and feature 5.5-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) display.

Redmi Note 2 packs an octa-core MediaTek Helio X10 processor (2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 + 2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53) coupled with 2GB of RAM. The Redmi Note 2 Prime on the other hand sports a slightly higher-clocked Helio X10 SoC (2.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53 + 2.2GHz quad-core Cortex-A53). The handset will be available in two storage variants - 16GB and 32GB; though no word on expandable storage. It packs a 3060mAh battery along with quick charge support.

Apart from 4G LTE, connectivity options on the Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime include Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, Micro-USB 2.0, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS/ A-GPS, and infrared, meant for universal remote control of compatible appliances. The 4G variants unveiled in China notably support both TDD-LTE Band 40 2300MHz and FDD-LTE Band 3 1800MHz used in India. Onboard sensors include an accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, and a digital compass .

The Redmi Note 2 measures 152x76x8.25mm which is definitely slimmer than the Redmi Note that measures 154x78.7x9.5mm. The Redmi Note 2 is also lighter at 160 grams than its predecessor which weighed hefty 199 grams. The Redmi Note 2 4G and Redmi Note 2 Prime supports dual 4G Micros-SIM cards.

The Redmi Note 2 sports a 13-megapixel Samsung rear camera sensor with phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and is claimed to feature a shutter speed of 0.1 second. The rear camera features aperture of f/2.2 and a 5-element lens. The handset also houses a 5-megapixel front camera with OmniVision. 

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Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi nano Router Launched

Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi nano Router Launched

Xiaomi on Thursday at its China event launched the new Redmi Note 2 and Redmi Note 2 Prime smartphones alongside showcasing the new MIUI 7 custom ROM. The company at the same event also launched the Mi Wi-Fi nano wireless router, priced at CNY 79 (approximately Rs. 800). The new Xiaomi Mi Wi-Fi nano router will be available to buy in China starting Sunday.

The new router from the company joins the Mi Wi-Fi mini router, priced at CNY 129 (approximately Rs. 1,300), and Mi Wi-Fi router, priced at CNY 699 (approximately Rs. 7,000), already in Xiaomi's stable of networking devices.

The highlight of the Mi Wi-Fi nano router is it can be plugged into a 10000mAh Mi Power Bank and offer up to 30 hours of usage.

It supports IEEE 802.11 b/g /n Wi-Fi standards at 2.4GHz and comes with external PCB antenna (2x2) offering a maximum of up to 300Mbps speeds. It includes Blue, Red, and Yellow LED indicators and can be controlled via a Smart Mi smartphone app for managing router settings. It comes with 64MB DDR2 RAM and packs 16GB of storage. Based on a MediaTek (MT7628N) chipset, the router also offers a Micro-USB port. Xiaomi touts that the new Mi Wi-Fi nano routers with its external PCB antenna offer increased signal strength and can offer up to 150 square metre coverage. The Mi Wi-Fi nano router will be available in several colour options including Mint Green, Yellow, Sky Blue, White, Black, and Pink.

The company has priced the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 at CNY 899 (approximately Rs. 9,000), while theXiaomi Redmi Note 2 Prime will come at CNY 999 (approximately Rs. 10,000). The Redmi Note 2 will be also available in a 3G-only variant which will be available at CNY 799 (approximately Rs. 8,000). 

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Asus ZenFone 2 Laser, ZenFone 2 Deluxe, and ZenFone Selfie Launched in India

Asus ZenFone 2 Laser, ZenFone 2 Deluxe, and ZenFone Selfie Launched in India

Asus at its ZenFestival event in New Delhi has launched four new smartphones in India, the ZenFone Selfie, the ZenFone 2 Laser, the ZenFone 2 Deluxe (seen above), and ZenFone Max. The ZenFone Selfie has been priced Rs. 15,999, and the ZenFone 2 Deluxe at Rs. 22,999. All four phones are based on Android 5.0 Lollipop, come with 4G LTE support, and feature dual-SIM (Micro-SIM) dual standby support.

The ZenFone 2 Laser has been launched in three variants in India, the ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) with 2GB of RAM and Snapdragon 410 at Rs. 9,999, the ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) with 3GB of RAM and Snapdragon 615 at Rs. 13,999, and the ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) at Rs. 17,999. The ZenFone Max will only be launched in October, and no price has been revealed yet.

The ZenFone Selfie is powered by a 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 (1.7GHz quad-core and 1GHz quad-core) processor with Adreno 405 GPU and 3GB of RAM.

The ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE550KL) features a 5.5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) IPS display, comes with 16GB of built-in storage that's expandable via microSD card (up to 128GB), and 3000mAh battery. It also sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with laser autofocus, and a 5-megapixel front camera.

The ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE601KL) features a 6-inch full-HD (1080x1920 pixels) IPS display, is powered by a Snapdragon 615 SoC, comes with 16GB of built-in storage that's expandable via microSD card (up to 128GB), and 3000mAh battery. It also sports a 13-megapixel rear camera with laser autofocus, and a 5-megapixel front camera.

The ZenFone 2 Deluxe is almost identical in terms of specifications to the ZenFone 2 (ZE551ML) launched back in April, but features a different back panel. It comes with 4GB of RAM, a 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 SoC, and 64GB of built-in storage.

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