Lava Z1, Lava Z2, Lava Z4, and Lava Z6 have been launched by Lava International as its four new smartphones. The new phones are claimed to be manufactured locally in the country, with 60 percent of components including batteries and chargers being produced at a domestic facility. The Indian vendor also brought the Lava myZ customisable phone that allows customers to select from the available RAM, storage, rear camera, front camera, and colour options. Additionally, Lava unveiled the Zup programme to let customers upgrade their existing Lava phone within a year. The company also brought the Lava Befit fitness band with heart rate monitoring and temperature check.
Lava Z1, Lava Z2, Lava Z4, Lava Z6 Lava myZ price in India, availability details
Lava Z1 price in India has been set at Rs. 5,499 for the single 2GB RAM + 16GB storage variant. The Lava Z2 will be available with a price tag of Rs. 6,999 for the 2GB RAM + 32GB storage configuration and the Lava Z4 will carry a price tag of Rs. 8,999 for the 4GB RAM + 64GB storage option. The top-of-the-line Lava Z6 will be available at Rs. 9,999 for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage configuration. The Lava MyZ customisable phone will be available between Rs. 6,999 and Rs. 10,500, depending on the combination customers pick.
On the part of availability, the Lava Z2, Lava Z4, and Lava Z6 along with the MyZ will be available starting January 11, while the Lava Z1 will go on sale from January 26. The phones will be available for purchase through Amazon, Lava e-store, and offline retailers in the country upon their availability.Alongside its new phones, Lava unveiled the Befit fitness band and Zup upgrade programme that will go live from January 26.
Lava Z1 specifications:
The dual-SIM (Nano) Lava Z1 is claimed to be the company’s first design-in-India smartphone. It comes in a military-grade build and features a 5-inch display with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The phone is powered by a MediaTek Helio A20 SoC, along with 2GB of RAM. The phone also comes with a 5-megapixel camera sensor at the back and a 5-megapixel selfie camera sensor at the front. It includes 16GB of storage and carries a five-magnet speaker. Besides, there is a 3,100mAh battery.
Lava Z2 specifications:
The dual-SIM (Nano) Lava Z2 runs on Android 10 (Go edition) and features a 6.5-inch HD+ (720×1,600 pixels) IPS display with 20:9 aspect ratio and a 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The display also comes with a waterdrop-style notch. Under the hood, the phone is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G35 SoC, paired with 2GB of RAM. The phone comes with the dual rear camera setup that houses a 13-megapixel primary sensor and a 2-megapixel secondary sensor. The camera setup is also equipped with an LED flash. For selfies, there is an 8-megapixel camera sensor at the front.
Lava has provided 32GB of onboard storage on the Z2 that is expandable via microSD card. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, and a Micro-USB port. The phone packs a 5,000mAh battery that supports 10W fast charging and comes with a military-grade certification.
Lava Z4 specifications:
The dual-SIM (Nano) Lava Z4 runs on Android 10 and features a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS display with a 20:9 aspect ratio and a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The phone is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G35 SoC, along with 4GB of RAM. It comes with a triple rear camera setup that includes a 13-megapixel primary sensor, 5-megapixel secondary sensor, and a 2-megapixel tertiary sensor. There is also a 16-megapixel selfie camera sensor at the front.
In terms of storage, the Lava Z4 has 64GB of internal storage that is expandable via microSD card. The phone comes with 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS/ A-GPS, and a Micro-USB port. It also comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor. Besides, the phone packs a 5,000mAh battery.
Lava Z6 specifications:
The dual-SIM (Nano) runs on Android 10 and features a 6.5-inch HD+ display with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio G35 SoC, paired with 6GB of RAM. The phone comes with a triple rear camera setup that includes a 13-megapixel primary sensor, 5-megapixel secondary sensor, and a 2-megapixel tertiary sensor. It also comes with a 16-megapixel selfie camera sensor.
For storage, the Lava Z6 has 64GB of onboard storage that is expandable via microSD card. It comes with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor and packs a 5,000mAh battery.
Lava MyZ specifications:
The Lava MyZ comes as a customisable phone by the Indian vendor. It will have a 6.5-inch HD+ IPS display, MediaTek Helio G35 SoC, 5,000mAh battery, USB Type-C port, and Android 10 operating system as standard. However, customers will be provided with the options to have RAM, storage, rear and front cameras, and colour options of their choice.
Lava MyZ will be available as a customisable phone to customers
Lava will provide RAM ranging from 2GB to 6GB and storage from 32GB to 128GB as options. Also, there will be choices between dual and triple rear cameras as well as 8-megapixel and 16-megapixel selfie cameras. Customers will also get the option to choose between Red and Blue colour options.
The MyZ customisable phone will be available for orders through a Made-to-Order model that will go on live on the Lava e-store. Once ordered, the phone will be delivered with the selected customisations.
World’s first customised smartphone #LavaMyZ
Vivo Y20A With Triple Rear Cameras Goes on Sale in India Today: Price, Specifications
Vivo Y20A is now on sale in India. The smartphone was launched in the country earlier this week as a watered down variant of the Vivo Y20. It comes with a waterdrop-style display notch and features triple rear cameras. The Vivo Y20A also offers the latest software experience. Other key highlights of the Vivo Y20A include a 5,000mAh battery and 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone also comes in two distinct colour options to choose from and supports reverse charging.
Vivo Y20A price in India, sale details
Vivo Y20A price is set at Rs. 11,490 in India for the lone 3GB + 64GB storage variant. The phone comes in Dawn White and Nebula Blue colours and is available for purchase through the Vivo India online store. It is also likely to go on sale through major e-commerce sites and offline retailers soon.
The Vivo India store offers exchange discount and no-cost EMI options on the purchase of Vivo Y20A.
Vivo Y20A With Triple Rear Camera Setup, 5,000mAh Battery Launched in India
Vivo Y20A specifications
The dual-SIM (Nano) Vivo Y20A runs on Android 11 with FuntouchOS 11 on top. The phone comes with a 6.51-inch HD+ (720×1,600 pixels) IPS display with 20:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, you’ll get an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 SoC, paired with 3GB of RAM.
The smartphone comes with a triple rear camera setup that houses a 13-megapixel primary sensor with an f/2.2 lens, a 2-megapixel portrait sensor with an f/2.4 lens, and a 2-megapixel macro shooter with an f/2.4 aperture. For selfies and video chats, there is an 8-megapixel camera at the front with an f/1.8 lens.
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In terms of storage, Vivo Y20A has just the 64GB option that supports expansion via a dedicated microSD card slot. Connectivity options include 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, GPS/ A-GPS, FM radio, Micro-USB, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone comes with a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. There is a 5,000mAh battery that supports 10W fast charging and reverse charging. The phone measures 164.41×76.32×8.41mm and weighs 192 grams.
Mi 10i Pacific Sunrise Colour Option Teased by Xiaomi Ahead of January 5 Launch
Mi 10i is coming to India in a distinct Pacific Sunrise colour option, Xiaomi has teased through its Mi.com website. The new colour option appears to have a gradient finish with a mix of cyan and orange shades. Separately, the Mi 10i battery details have been teased online. Xiaomi recently confirmed the launch of Mi 10i in the country for January 5. The smartphone is rumoured to be a rebadged Redmi Note 9 Pro 5G, with slight changes. Earlier teasers posted by Xiaomi confirmed a 108-megapixel primary camera sensor on Mi 10i as well as Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC.
Xiaomi has featured a banner on the Mi.com site that shows the Pacific Sunrise colour of Mi 10i. The same colour option has also been teased on the Amazon India website.
The Pacific Sunrise colour of Mi 10i is likely to debut alongside its Blue and Black hues that were leaked last month.
Xiaomi Halts Android 11 Update Rollout for Mi A3 Following Bricking Issues
Alongside the new colour, Xiaomi has released a teaser video on its social media channels that suggest at least a day-long battery life on Mi 10i. The video also gives us a glimpse of the upcoming phone from the top.
Battery life?
Let’s just say – a long one! #ThePerfect10
Mi fans, can you guess what’s coming?
Unveiling on 05.01.21.
Stay Tuned. Spread The Word. pic.twitter.com/QLSGLN0duC
— Mi India #Mi10TSeries5G (@XiaomiIndia) January 2, 2021
Earlier this week, Xiaomi India Managing Director Manu Kumar Jain confirmed that the company was planning to launch Mi 10i as its next smartphone on January 5. He mentioned that the phone would come with a “brand new sensor” and would include customisations made for the Indian market. Mi 10i also appeared on Amazon with the Snapdragon 750G SoC.
WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger Collect Much More User Data Than Other Messaging Apps, Reveal Apple’s Privacy Labels
WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger collect a vast amount of user information and data compared to other popular messaging apps including Signal and Telegram, Apple’s privacy labels update revealed. Both apps owned by Facebook collect usage data and location details which are the cases with other apps. In contrast, Signal comes as the most private messaging app that doesn’t collect any user data, as per the privacy details highlighted on the App Store. Facebook has earlier criticised Apple’s move to display privacy labels.
The details available on the App Store shows that Facebook Messenger leads when it comes to user data collection, followed by WhatsApp. The list of data both apps collect includes users’ purchase history, financial information, location details, contacts, phone number, email address, and usage data, among others.
At a time when people are expressing concerns about WhatsApp’s new privacy policy changes, which you have to accept or your account will be deleted, it’s interesting to note all the data that the app, which has 400 million users in India alone, is collecting.An image shared by 9to5Mac provides a clear breakup of what all the data WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger collect — in comparison with iMessage, Signal, and Telegram. You can see these details on the App Store yourself if you have an iPhone.
WhatsApp
Device ID
User ID
Advertising Data
Purchase History
Coarse Location
Phone Number
Email Address
Contacts
Product Interaction
Crash Data
Performance Data
Other Diagnostic Data
Payment Info
Customer Support
Product Interaction
Other User Content
Facebook Messenger
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Purchase History
Other Financial Info
Precise Location
Coarse Location
Physical Address
Email Address
Name
Phone Number
Other User Contact Info
Contacts
Photos or Videos
Gameplay Content
Other User Content
Search History
Browsing History
User ID
Device ID
Product Interaction
Advertising Data
Other Usage Data
Crash Data
Performance Data
Other Diagnostic Data
Other Data Types
Browsing History
Health
Fitness
Payment Info
Photos or Videos
Audio Data
Gameplay Content
Customer Support
Other User Content
Search History
Sensitive Info
iMessage
Email address
Phone number Search history
Device ID
Signal
None. (The only personal data Signal stores is your phone number, and it makes no attempt to link that to your identity.)
Telegram
Facebook criticised Apple’s privacy labels in newspaper advertisements shortly after they started appearing on the App Store last month. WhatsApp also separately accused Apple of implementing anti-competitive policies over the recent update. The app also provided some clarification on its user data collection through an FAQ. However, the list shared online suggests the reason for criticism and accusation.
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It is important to point out that the privacy labels on the App Store are based on the self-submission made by developers to Apple that is not yet manually checked. But nonetheless, companies including Facebook also provide such details in their lengthy privacy policies as well that aren’t read by a large number of their users.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Tipped to Have Up to 35 Percent Better Battery Life Than Galaxy S20
Samsung Galaxy S21 battery performance has been tipped to improve over the Galaxy S20. The new flagship model is speculated to come in Snapdragon and Exynos variants (just like its predecessors) and both variants are tipped to get significant improvement in battery life. However, an earlier tipster had suggested that the Galaxy S21 — expected to be part of the Samsung Galaxy S21 series along with Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra — would have a similar battery (mAh) capacity as the Galaxy S20 so it looks like this is a case of better battery optimisation, rather than a bigger battery in the phone. Samsung is also expected to offer fast wired and wireless charging support on the Samsung Galaxy S21.
A YouTuber, who is available on Twitter with username @TheGalox_, has suggested that the Samsung Galaxy S21 running on Samsung’s Exynos 2100 SoC would deliver between 25 to 35 percent better battery life over the Exynos 990-powered Galaxy S20. Meanwhile, he said the Snapdragon 888 SoC variant of the Galaxy S21 has around 15 percent better battery life than the Galaxy S20 powered by the Snapdragon 865.
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This means that the Galaxy S21 — irrespective of the chipset — could get an average improvement of 20 percent in battery life over the Galaxy S20. However, an earlier report suggested that the Galaxy S21 will have the same 4,000mAh battery capacity as its predecessor.
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This suggests that Samsung may use some software-based improvements to enhance battery life on the new model. The improvement could also chiefly be in place due to the improved power efficiency of the new chipsets.
Qualcomm underlined Snapdragon 888 SoC’s superior power efficiency while launching it last month. The Adreno 660 GPU, which is an integrated part of the Snapdragon 888, is also touted to deliver 20 percent better power efficiency compared to the previous generation GPU. We are, however, yet to see what Samsung has to say for its Exynos 2100 SoC that is yet to debut in the market.
Dear Smartphone makers please shape new smartphones in 2021 with the following key points
It’s that time of the year when tech pundits and analysts start predicting the trends that will shape the smartphone industry next year. And it is a good time for tech companies to set right a lot of wrongs. Here are some things we think need to have ended with 2020.
Unnecessary variants of the same model
One practice that has become common is how smartphone makers took the liberty of selling the same phone model in different variants with hardly any differentiation. For instance, throughout the year, we saw multiple variants of the Redmi 9 and Redmi Note 9. Samsung initially pitched the Galaxy A-series catering to the premium mid-range segment, but as the year passed, it started becoming too similar to the Galaxy M-series both in terms of pricing and features. Similarly, the existence of the Realme Narzo series raised many questions. There might be a business reason, but all this was just confusing for the consumer. A good reason why brands need to think twice about selling the same product in multiple models in the new year.
smartphone trends 2021, popular smartphone trends in 2020, smartphones in 2020, Xiaomi in 2020, Samsung in 2020, OnePlus smartphones
Xiaomi Redmi 9 Power. (Image credit: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
Overemphasis on ‘AI’ in marketing campaigns
Some brands have taken AI functionality so seriously that they now market their devices as “AI-powered smartphones”. In reality, every smartphone released in the past year has AI-focused hardware and software. The hard work is done by either chip makers or software providers like Google who are behind these AI developments. Yes, brands should highlight most AI features on smartphones such as the progress made in imaging and photography or security but don’t just call every feature AI-powered.
‘Stock Android’ is better than the ‘modified’ version of Android
Apparently, a small group of smartphone brands like HMD Global still strongly believe that stock Android is better than modified versions of Android. It’s not proven that consumers want an Android smartphone running the “purest” version of the OS. Stock Android has its advantages but leading manufacturers like Xiaomi and Samsung and their success show us it might not be such a big deal after all. From a product point of view, smartphones running MIUI give access to a lot of user insights and thus help Xiaomi create an ecosystem of apps. In the case of Nokia-branded smartphones, which run stock Android, user data gets transferred directly to Google. At the end of the day, the idea of marketing “pure Android” has neither helped Google’s Pixel brand nor HMD Global.
smartphone trends 2021, popular smartphone trends in 2020, smartphones in 2020, Xiaomi in 2020, Samsung in 2020, OnePlus smartphones
Nokia 8. (Image credit: Shruti Dhapola/Indian Express)
Unnecessary camera modules
Every major smartphone brand, from Samsung, OnePlus to Xiaomi, literally jumped onto the idea of slapping multiple cameras without realising more camera lenses don’t make for a better camera smartphone. Without giving proper rationale, brands added macro lenses on several popular smartphones including the Galaxy M51, Mi 10, and OnePlus 8 alongside wide-angle and ultra-wide lenses. In reality, the sub-par macro lens hasn’t improved the overall camera experience. In fact, several reviewers pointed out that the macro lens on the OnePlus 8 was the weakest part of its camera. So was the 2MP macro lens on the OnePlus 8 purely a marketing exercise?
smartphone trends 2021, popular smartphone trends in 2020, smartphones in 2020, Xiaomi in 2020, Samsung in 2020, OnePlus smartphones
OnePlus 8. (Image: Express photo)
Be more transparent about ‘bloatware’
Brands need to be more transparent about the apps that come preloaded on the smartphone. They need to learn a lesson from the OnePlus-Facebook chapter, so that the trust between the brand and consumers should not be compromised. Earlier this year, OnePlus irked some of its die-hard fans by pre-installing Facebook services onto its new phones which could not be fully removed. The company then decided to remove the Facebook junk from its phones. Facebook was never the problem, the issue was that OnePlus in a way tried to change its brand proposition of a fast and clean software experience, which makes it different from other Android phone manufacturers.
Samsung Galaxy S21 launch confirmed by Company
Samsung Galaxy S21 series launch date is yet to be confirmed by the company. However, a teaser video has now been posted that sets the stage for the new launch by recalling the history of the Galaxy S-series lineup. An alleged invite of the Galaxy S21 series launch has also been leaked. Separately, a tipster has reiterated that the new Galaxy phones would debut with no charger and earbuds in the box. This particular change could be Samsung’s move aligning with Apple that also ditched in-box accessories with the launch of the iPhone 12 models this year.
The teaser video, initially spotted by SamMobile, is available as “unlisted” on the Samsung US YouTube channel. It offers a look back at the Galaxy S series. The 30-second video begins with the first Galaxy S phone and goes up the line to the Galaxy S20, to highlight the key evolution in the company’s flagship portfolio. At the end, it shows a black screen with a text that reads, “A new Galaxy awaits,” along with a shift from “2020” to “2021.”
Although the video doesn’t provide any particular details about what Samsung is preparing for the coming year, it indeed makes the pitch ready for the lineup that is rumoured to comprise Samsung Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra as the three new models.
Samsung Galaxy S21+ Images Apparently Showing a Working Unit Surface
In addition to the teaser video, tipster Ishan Agarwal on Wednesday posted a tweet that talked about the absence of the charger and earbuds from the retail box of the Galaxy S21 series. He said that the details would at least be applicable in the UK, though some recent reports suggested a similar change in other markets as well. The tipster mentioned that only a USB Type-C cable will be present in the box, along with the handset.
Agarwal has since deleted the tweet. However, its screenshot has been shared in a report by GSMArena.
In a separate development, Agarwal collaborated with MySmartPrice to share what he claims to be an official invite of the Galaxy S21 series. The invite, available in a GIF format, doesn’t provide any clarity on the launch. However, the tipster claimed that the launch is planned for 3pm GMT (8:30pm IST) on January 14. This corroborates a previous report that also suggested a January 14 launch for the Galaxy S21 models.
Whatsapp hacks
WhatsApp rolled out many features this year like the Always Mute feature, multiple device support feature, WhatsApp Payments and Carts for WhatsApp businesses, etc. The messaging platform also has privacy features like blocking contacts. It also gives users the option to hide their profile picture from all contacts. WhatsApp profile pictures can be saved by contacts or users, or even by taking a screenshot. WhatsApp gives users the option to hide their profile picture from contacts who are not added to their contact list. It also gives users the option to hide their profile pictures from all contacts.
Here is how you can hide your profile picture:
— Open WhatsApp.
— Go to Settings > Account > Privacy.
— Tap on Profile Photo.
— The default setting is ‘everyone’ in the list of options.
— If users want their profile pictures to be displayed to their contacts, select ‘My contacts’
— Select Nobody if you do not want the photo to be displayed to anybody.
Once the profile picture is hidden, a grey avatar appears on the user’s profile and in WhatsApp chats.
There is no option on WhatsApp to hide a profile picture from only certain users. However, users can remove those users from their contact list and then set the privacy to only My Contacts from WhatsApp.
WhatsApp users can mark chats as unread
Many times users read WhatsApp messages but forget to reply to them. In such cases, users can mark a chat as unread on WhatsApp that can act as a reminder so that users can reply to those messages later. To mark a chat as unread, users can press and hold the chat and tap the unread icon on Android. iPhone users can swipe the chat to the right and tap the unread icon to mark the conversations unread.
WhatsApp users can also read and send messages without opening the chat. Users can either give a verbal command to virtual assistants like Siri and Google Assistant to help you read messages. Users can also read and reply from the screen when they receive a message on WhatsApp.
WhatsApp also gives the option to reduce the data used in a call by following the given steps:
— Go to Settings > Data and Storage usage.
— Under the Call Settings section > Enable Low Data Usage option.
WhatsApp users can also keep track of how much storage chats are taking up. WhatsApp has an option where you can view your contacts and how much space they are taking by following these steps:
— Go to WhatsApp > Storage and data usage >Storage usage.
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