Category: Tech

Smartphone IMEI number registration mandated by Indian government

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has now made it mandatory for phone manufacturers to register the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) of all mobile devices with the Indian government. Importers will also have to register each device’s IMEI number before importing it into the country. Besides this, the IMEI of the mobile phones imported into India even for research and any other purpose shall also be registered by the importer.

IMEI number registration mandate

On September 26, DoT issued a notification gazette amending the prevention of tampering with the Mobile Device Equipment Identification Number, Rules 2017. The notification read, “The manufacturer shall register the international mobile equipment identity number of every mobile phone manufactured in India with the Indian Counterfeited Device Restriction portal of the Government of India in the Department of Telecommunications prior to the first sale of the mobile phone.” The notification added that IMEI number of mobile phones being imported for India sales, testing and research also “any other reason” will also have to be registered on the same portal “prior to the import of the mobile phone into the country.” Check out the official notification issued by DoT below:

 

Why register IMEI numbers?

The government is all set to tackle the rampant cloning and theft of mobile phones. The Communications Ministry had previously rolled out the Central Equipment Identity Register. According to the register, mobile phones are categorized based on three lists, White, Grey, and Black. The mobile phones with IMEI numbers in white are permitted for use, whereas, the blacklisted devices are the ones that are stolen or lost hence not allowed to access any network. The ones in grey are allowed to connect under supervision as they do not conform to standards.

Amazon’s Third Gen Fire TV Cube & Alexa Remote Launched

E-commerce giant Amazon recently launched the third generation of the Amazon Fire TV Cube and the Amazon Remote Pro. The Fire TV Cube will soon be making its way to the Indian market and offers a number of features at a reasonable price. However, the Alexa Remote Pro is now available to pre-order on Amazon’s official website. Check out all details about the upcoming entertainment-centric devices from Amazon:

Amazon Fire TV Cube

The Fire TV Cube is Amazon’s latest Fire TV streaming player with an improved octa-core processor and Wi-Fi 6 support. The device comes with cinematic 4K Ultra HD, HDR, immersive Dolby Atmos audio, and more to ensure the best audio and video output for your entertainment. It comes with an HDMI input port and Super Resolution upscaling which automatically upscales content with lower resolution for a better viewing experience. The new processor is claimed by the company to have 20% more power than the previous generation. Besides Wi-Fi 6 support, it also comes with an additional ethernet port if users need to rely on a wired connection. The Fire TV Cube comes with the support of Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) which allows users to directly connect with compatible Bluetooth hearing aids. The third generation Fire TV Cube comes at a price of Rs 13,999. Check out the official product page for The Amazon Fire TV Cube HERE.

Amazon Remote Pro

The second product launched at the Amazon global event was the Alexa Voice Remote Pro priced under Rs 3K. The device has been built to allow users to spend more time streaming and less time searching for the remote. The device is compatible with most Fire TV streaming players and Smart TVs with Fire TV built-in. The key feature of this remote is that it comes with a feature to find misplaced remotes easily. Users will need to simply say “Alexa, find my remote” or use the dedicated ‘Remote Finder” button in the Fire TV app. The Alexa Voice Remote Pro’s built-in speaker will then emit an audible ring to attract the user’s attention.

 

5 Reasons To Go For The Galaxy Z Flip 4

It was almost two decades ago when people would walk around with Nokia and Motorola flip phones. The devices provided only a few features like calls, messages, and traditional FM radios. Cut to 2022, Now  Samsung has packed in a number of premium features in its Galaxy Flip 4. Believe it or not, this is the best time to get into Flip-mania. the Galaxy Flip 4 virtually ticks every box of what you think a flip device should offer.  Here are the top reasons why we think the Galaxy Z Flip 4 should be your next device:

Design 

The wallet-sized form factor of the Samsung Galaxy Flip 4 makes it a steal. It has a design that is unique to every phone currently on the market. It comes with a clamshell design which feels refreshing and immediately makes it look worth the price. Whereas, it is super slim when unfolded which makes you wonder how Samsung fit it all into a device with such a slim design. 

Display 

The main display of the device is a beautiful 6.7-inch 2640x1080p Dynamic AMOLED panel. Keeping true to the Samsung legacy, this display is undoubtedly pretty. It supports a 120Hz refresh rate and 1200nits of brightness which makes it have no issues being used under direct sunlight. The cherry on the top is the ‘cover display’ which is a compact 1.9-inch super AMOLED display that offers multiple functionalities. 

Performance 

The Z Flip 4 comes with the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor which is top-notch. The 8GB Ram on top of it allows applications to stay in the memory for a long time. The device comes with a processor which can easily support high-end games, so if you’re a gamer looking for a flip device, this is the one for you!

Camera 

Z Flip 4 could easily fall into the trap of being style over substance, but I am happy to say that it’s not the case here. The camera set-up features a 12MP+12MP dual camera which shoots some of the best smartphone photos on the market. The camera at times seems to fair better than the camera focussed S22 Ultra which is a surprise! Having the option to click photos while the device is in its compact folded form factor is another plus point for the device. 

Software

There is only so much one can do with a device that folds in half and Samsung has done the best with what it could. The company has implemented innovative software features which make the best of the device when it’s folded. Using the device through the Cover Display is a lot of fun and extremely usable. All the notifications pop up on the cover display, and it can also be used as a viewfinder to shoot videos and photos. Users also have the option to record audio, use the calendar, play music, and whatnot on the cover display without having to flip open the device. 

Conclusion

In its fourth generation, Samsung has hit the ball out of the park with Samsung Flip 4. The refined hardware and software experience priced at Rs 89,990 is a reasonable price. If you’re looking for a unique experience, a phone that turns the eyeballs in the room, and an overall performer, the Samsung Galaxy Flip 4 is the device you should go for!

Apple ditches the production of the iPhone 14 due to lower demand

Since Apple launched the iPhone 14 series at the Far Out event, it has been trending all over the world as it was one of the most awaited launches of the year. However, right after the launch of the iPhone 14 series, people noticed there’s not much to explore in the iPhone 14 (we’re not including the pro series iPhones and the all-new iPhone 14 Plus) except for a few substantial changes from last year’s iPhone 13.

The iPhone 14 is probably one of the best iPhones in the current market, but at first glance, it appears like a renamed replica of the iPhone 13. The iPhone 14 has numerous notable upgrades, including a vibrant display, excellent cameras, safety features like Emergency SOS via satellite and Crash Detection and, of course, a slightly more powered A15 Bionic chipset.

Earlier, Apple planned to make at least 6 million more units by the end of the year and asked its suppliers to increase the production of the iPhone 14 as the company expected strong demand. However, within a 4-weeks of the launch date, due to lower demand, the company decided to reduce the production of the iPhone 14. 

The sales of the lower-priced iPhone 14 are not strong enough, while the sales of the over-priced iPhone 14 Pro models are getting more robust. Of course, due to the little to no price difference between the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro models. Also, the lowered price of the iPhone 13 plays a huge role in the game as it remains on sale for a reduced price.

The company has priced iPhone 14 at ₹79900 and the iPhone 14 Plus at ₹89900, which is very close to the price range of the iPhone 14 Pro models, which are loaded with a brand-new always-on display with Dynamic Island, a 48-megapixel wide camera, and the new A16 Bionic chip. Whatever the reason, Apple will surely make a profit out of it.

Awesome iOS 16 features you must try

Apple rolled out its latest iOS 16 update packed with a number of features. The newest version of the tech giant’s mobile OS has brought major changes to customization to the lock screen, Messages, and Mail, but that’s not where it ends. This year-round, iOS 16 brought some revolutionary changes to the lock screen which is now complete;y customizable, users can also stack notifications to the bottom of the screen now. However, like every year, Apple has made some minor enhancements to the overall feel of the software experience. These changes are easy to look over but ultimately contribute to helping users through little tweaks here and there. Here is a look at all the iOS 16 features that may have gone under your radar:

Share Wi-Fi password

Have you ever been in a position where you wanted to share your Wi-Fi password with a guest but don’t remember it? Well, I have! It is awkward, to say the least, but Apple has a fix for people like me. With iOS 16, users can view and share their Wi-Fi passwords whenever they want. All you need to do is tap on the ‘i’ button in the Wi-Fi settings. Tap on ‘password’ on the next screen and copy the password to share it with your friends and family.

Unsend emails

Users probably know that they can unsend a text on Messages with iOS 16. But did you know that you can do the same with mails? Messages have a two-minute window to be unsent in iOS 16, but the window is narrower for mails. Users can choose between 10, 20, and 30 second window to unsend their mails. The option can also be turned off if you think you don’t need this feature.

Folder for duplicate photos

iOS 16 now comes with a separate folder for duplicate photos. The photos app can let users know if they have multiple identical photos, allowing them to remove them and clear out the storage. It surely is a great way to declutter your device, preventing it from turning slow.

Extra security for hidden photos

When it comes to photo management, iOS 16 really has brought some helpful features. The new update has added another layer of security for the hidden photos folder. The hidden photos album now requires Face ID or Touch ID to get access. The recently deleted folder also now comes with the same security.

Quick Notes

The Quick Notes feature has been a staple to both macOS and iPadOS to quickly write down any thoughts without having to open the Notes app. However, iPhone did not have any such feature. Now, users can now start a Quick Note simply by tapping on an icon in the Command Center. Securing a note is now simpler as users can use the same passcode they use to unlock their iPhones to unlock their notes.

Face ID in landscape mode

iPhones running iOS 16 now support Face ID in landscape mode. Earlier, the unlock was only possible when the device was being used in portrait mode. Users should note that this feature is only limited iPhone and later.

Flipkart issues clarification over cancelled iPhone 13 orders

If you’ve been on the internet in the past week, you know that major e-commerce brands like Flipkart and Amazon were running advertisement campaigns for their festive sales. The Flipkart Big Billion Days sale and Amazon’s Great Indian Festival sales offered major discounts on major products like electronics, smartphones, apparel, and more. We had run multiple stories about the discounts offered by these sales highlighting Apple’s iPhone lineup. In our iPhone discount story, we shared that the iPhone 13 was available at a price below Rs 50K on Flipkart, which was surely a surprising deal. However, as the first day of the sale passed, users started complaining that their orders for the iPhone 13 was canceled after the payment was made which disappointed a lot of people. This mishap by Flipkart spread like wildfire across social media as more and more shared their sadness over getting their orders canceled. Now, Flipkart has issued a clarification.

Flipkart’s official statement

Flipkart issued an official statement to India Today Tech and accepted that some iPhone 13 orders were indeed canceled due to “anomalies”. The platform shared that nearly 70 percent of the iPhone orders placed across cities including Siliguri, Guntur, and Gorakhpur were delivered successfully by sellers. The company claims that only “a minor fraction of orders” were canceled by the sellers due to ‘unforeseen issues. In conclusion, Flipkart shared that they are “a customer first e-commerce marketplace and always ensures that customers’ interests are protected. As a customer-focused e-commerce marketplace, we encourage sellers to prioritize the customers’ orders and strive to keep them delighted with their service.”

Even after the clarification, it is still not known why exactly the orders were canceled by Flipkart. Whereas, some users still do not have an update about their order. If you have ordered an iPhone 13 at the discounted price from Flipkart during the Big Billion Days sale, you will soon know if the order has been processed or not. The unbelievable discounts offered during festive sales are an opportunity for people waiting to get the devices from their wishlist. If the orders placed during these sales get canceled then it’s a breach of trust among customers.

WhatsApp to roll out ‘Call Links’ feature soon

WhatsApp head Will Cathcart recently took to Twitter and announced that the messaging app will be introducing the ‘Call Links’ feature. In the tweet, the WhatsApp head revealed that users will now be able to join a call using just a link and will be available for both video and audio calls. The feature will be rolling out next week and you will be able to get on a video/audio call with your group of friends with a simple URL click.

WhatsApp Call Links

With the ‘Call Links’ feature, users will be able to simply tap the option and generate a link for the audio or video call. Users can then share the link easily with friends and family. Users need to note that they will require the latest version of WhatsApp to enable this feature. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that WhatsApp is testing a new feature of calling up to 32 people in one video call. A similar feature is available in audio calls right now however, not for video. It is evident that Meta is taking notes from Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and similar platforms with the ‘Call Links’ feature. Users should note that the call link will expire after 90 days of inactivity. Whereas, if a link is sent to someone who doesn’t have WhatsApp then they will be redirected to WhatsApp’s download page on either Google’s Playstore or Apple App Store.

WhatsApp right now is in a transitional phase where the platform is turning out to become much further than just a mere messaging app. It was last month the platform started testing out WhatsApp Communities, which is basically similar to Facebook’s Groups. The Communities feature allows an admin to create a community with multiple user groups. A benefit of the WhatsApp Communities over Facebook Groups is that they aren’t public and users need to have an invitation in order to join. It looks like WhatsApp is going to make major changes in the coming years to its overall user experience.

Apple to skip the October event?

Its been months since Apple fanatics have been expecting the company to host the October event. The tech giant is expected to release a number of products like the latest iPad lineup and the Mac lineup before 2022 wraps up. Now, reports are suggesting that Apple may decide to skip the October event altogether and introduce the latest product lineup through multiple press releases. If true, it will be the first time in years that the American tech mogul skips the October event.

Apple October event likely cancelled

The latest Apple September event ‘Far Out’ introduced the latest iPhone 14 & Apple Watch lineup. The company also introduced second-generation Apple AirPods Pro which is currently being loved by Apple fans for its accessibility features. A similar event was expected for the launch of Apple’s iPad and Mac lineup but according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the company has decided to go a different route. According to the report, the remaining updates of the Apple products do not warrant a highly produced show coupled with hands-on experience for attendees afterwards. The events similar to ‘Far Out’ require pre-planning and post-production which could all be wasted if the products don’t live up to the hype. So, are the remaining Apple products for 2022 not exciting enough? we’ll let you decide!

Expected products

Some of the expected upcoming products from Apple in late 2022 are 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models. Mac Mini with M2 and M2 Pro is also expected along with iPad Pros. The MacBooks are expected to come housing M2 Pro and M2 Max chips whereas two iPad Pros are expected to be launched in the 11 and 12.9-inch sizes. Apple is furthermore also expected to update the Apple TV set-top box with an A14 chip and RAM boost. In all honesty, all the upcoming Apple devices seem like mere updates as opposed to something that should be showcased through a big event.

Another thing hinting toward the October event getting cancelled is that the company has not revealed any promotional material like ads and social media posts hinting at it. This won’t be the first time Apple will opt out of an event to release its products. A few years ago, the company announced a whole slew of products through press releases.

Future Star Wars projects to feature AI-Generated Darth Vader voice

Star Wars fans around the world know that the franchise’s big baddie, Darth Vader is voiced by the legendary actor James Earl Jones. The actor has been voicing the iconic character since 1977. He first voiced Darth Vader in Star Wars: A New Hope (Episode IV) and it’s been 45 years since then. It was back in 2019 when the actor mentioned that he was ready to let go of the character. James Earl Jones, 91, has now decided to move on from the character and allow Disney to replicate the voice using another actor or voice artist. However, the company has decided to use an AI-voice modeling tool to get the job done.

AI Darth Vader Voice

Disney has surely had a strange history with CG characters, especially in the Star Wars franchise. Be it the unconvincing render of a CGI Luke Skywalker in The Mandalorian or the CG Princess Leia in Episode IX, the franchise has surely caught itself in some troubled waters. While it’s understandable that the iconic Star Wars character cannot be recast, CG iterations of them in the uncanny valley surely do not get the job done. The company also faced social media backlash as one of its flagship franchises, Marvel’s She-Hulk featured less than impressive CGI. But visuals and audio are two different ball games altogether.

Disney reached out to Respeecher, a Ukrainian company to replicate the voice of Darth Vader. The company trains text-to-speech AI machine learning models to replicate the voices of actors who no longer want to play certain film/show parts. The interesting part of this story is that the company was working on replicating Darth Vader’s voice all while Ukraine was under the Russian invasion. The company used archival footage recordings of James Earl Jones and fed them to an AI algorithm to create new dialogues for the Obi-Wan Kenobi series.

As a result, the company was successful in recreating the Darth Vader voice identical to its first appearance decades ago. It won’t be wrong to assume that Disney will now be sticking to using AI to create Darth Vader’s voice as the character is surely not going anywhere. James Earl Jones, on the other hand, is all set to voice another iconic character of Mufasa, in a standalone Lion King film.

Google Pixel 7 Series Prices Leaked

Google Pixel 7 is all set to launch globally and in India in the coming weeks. As the launch date of the devices comes closer, more and more details about the lineup are making their way to the internet. The company had teased the Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro back at the Google I/O 2022 keynote event and now it seems like the price point of these devices has leaked.

Google Pixel 7 leaked price

The founder of APKMirror recently took to Twitter and shared a screenshot of the Pixel 7 series pricing listed in the internal pricing data from Target. To the unversed, Target is one of the biggest retailers in the US having offline retail stores across all US states. According to the leaked data, the Pixel 7 will be priced at $599 (around Rs 48,600) and the Pixel 7 Pro is expected to be priced at $899 (approximately Rs 72,990). Readers should note that the leaked prices are exclusive only to the USA and prices are subject to change in India. However, it is the same price Google Pixel 6 was launched last year in the states.

The price difference between the USA and India Pixel 7 variants is not exactly surprising as this has been witnessed in previous gen Pixel devices too. It was just a few weeks back when Apple launched the iPhone 14 Pro lineup in India at a whopping Rs 40,000 extra than what it priced in the USA. One way or the other, It is good news that Google is bringing the Pixel 7 series to India. It will be the first flagship offering from Google in India after Pixel 3 and 3 XL debuted way back in 2018.

The latest leak takes it a notch further to reveal the colors of the Google Pixel 7 series. Google will be keeping true its color naming scheme with device colors named Snow, Hazel, Lemongrass, and Obsidian. Previous leaks had suggested that the devices will be powered by the Tensor G2 chipset, an improved version of last year’s Tensor chipset which powered the Pixel 6 series. As one would expect, the Google Piel 7 series will come with Android 13 out of the box. Personalized features to videos, photos, and speech recognition are also expected with the Pixel 7 lineup.

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