One of the most useful features OEMs have baked into their devices is the ability to find them in case of theft or if you lose them. Google has made it even more advanced with its new Find My Device Network and the new ability to locate both the Pixel 8 and the Pixel 8 Pro even if they have a dead battery, meaning when they are offline.
Google announced that its Find My Device network is now active, the settings for which began rolling out last week. Aside from the Find My Device Network, Google is now also rolling out the ability to locate Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro even when they are offline. Aside from these two, you can even find other compatible Android phones and tablets by ringing them or viewing their location on a map in the App — even if they’re offline.
Google told The Verge that offline tracking is made possible by “specialised Pixel hardware” in its Pixel 8 series phones. Google spokesperson Natalie Johnson told the publication that “there’s reserve power on the device for several hours that is channeled to the Bluetooth chip.”
One of the Google Help Centre pages says “For supported devices, like Pixel 8 series and up, if the device runs out of battery or is off, the Find My Device network can still locate the phone for several hours after it’s turned off.” However, to enable offline finding in Pixel 8 series, ensure that you have set the option to “With network in high-traffic areas only” or “With network in all areas” in Find My Device network settings. In addition, the Bluetooth and Location should be turned on when the phone shuts down.
Samsung smartphones also support offline finding and so do Apple iPhones. The new Find My Device network from Google is rolling out today in the US and Canada. Then in May, trackers from third parties such as Chipolo and other companies will be made available.
JioSaavn, the music streaming service has now announced a couple of new plans including the Duo and the Family packs so users can share their subscriptions with other people of their choice. The packs are set to offer unlimited ad free music along with Unlimited offline downloads.
JioSaavn Duo, Family Packs: Price, Features
The JioSaavn Duo pack allows two pro accounts including the admin and the Family Pack enables six members (including admin) to share pro benefits. The Duo plan is priced at Ra 129 a month while the Family pack is priced at Rs 149 a month.
With these packs consumers can enjoy ad-free music, access unlimited Jiotunes, and get unlimited offline downloads. In addition to all these benefits, consumers opting for these packs also enjoy enhanced sound quality.
These packs, specifically designed for users to share access with their loved ones, have been released in addition to the existing individual plans of varying durations. These pro packs are available to all JioSaavn customers on Android and iOS mobile apps of the streaming service.
Meanwhile, in the space of music streaming, apps like Spotify are moving towards AI with features based on the technology. Spotify recently announced a new feature called AI Playlist that extends beyond the regular method of creating a playlist where you add various tracks manually.
Spotify’s AI capabilities extend beyond typical playlist requests tied to genres or eras, enabling users to seek out more varied mixes. For instance, one might request a playlist for “serenading a cat” or “soundtracking a zombie apocalypse,” as Spotify indicates.
Users can craft prompts around diverse themes, including locations, creatures, hobbies, cinematic figures, hues, or even emojis. Spotify points out that the most engaging playlists often emerge from prompts blending various genres, atmospheres, musicians, and periods.
Nothing recently announced its plans to revamp its naming scheme for the earbuds and revealed that the Nothing ear as well as the Nothing ear (a) are launching worldwide on April 18. Now, a new leak has spilled beans over the looks as well as the key features of both these earbuds. Here’s what we know so far about them based on the leaked details of the Nothing Ear and the Ear (a).
Nothing Ear, Ear (a): Leaked Specs, Design
The report comes from Android Headlines, according to whom the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) are going to be quite similar in terms of design. They’ll borrow the design language of their predecessors, where the Nothing Ear seems indistinguishable from the Nothing Ear (2). The Nothing Ear will serve as the successor to the ear (2) while the Ear (a) is a completely new product.
Nothing Ear (a)
The ear (a) also has the same transparent design but with a revamped case that is rectangular in shape and not square as its sibling. Moreover, it’s going to be available in a yellow colour which is a first for Nothing as the brand has made only black and white products till now. The yellow color is meant to be more of an eco-friendly design for the Nothing Ear (a).
The Nothin Ear will have active noise cancellation support along with dual connection, and waterproofing with an IP54 rating, while the case gets an IPX2 rating. As for run-time, the leak claims that users will get about 7.5 hours with ANC turned off, while the case will give you 33 hours. It supports a Fast charging feature, which allows you to get 10 hours of usage from just a 10-minute charge.
The Ear (a) seems quite similar to the Nothing Ear in terms of specs, except for two major differences in terms of battery and IP rating. You’ll get 8 hours of playback with ANC off, and the case will get you 38 hours of playback total. The buds are going to have a waterproof rating of IP54, while the case will get an IP55 rating.
Pricing for the Nothing Ear wasn’t shared but the Nothing Ear (a) is supposed to be priced at €100 (approx Rs 9,000). The Indian pricing is yet to be shared officially.
Social Media is a vital part of our lives and Instagram has been the go-to source of entertainment for many, be it sharing or viewing Reels or sharing moments with friends and family. However, it can get addictive quickly, thereby hampering your productivity and lifestyle. Whether you’re looking to take a break or say goodbye to Instagram for good, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to deactivate or delete your Instagram account.
Delete or Deactivate Your Instagram Account
Step 1
Open the Instagram App and tap on your profile picture at the bottom right corner.
Step 2
Now, tap on the three-line icon at the top right corner to open Instagram Settings.
Now click on ‘Personal Details’ and then ‘Account ownership and control’.
Step 5
Click on ‘Deactivationor deletion’. Now, select the account you want to the action for in case you have your Facebook and Instagram accounts linked.
Step 6
Now select the option of your choice, whether you want to Deactivate account temporarily or Delete account permanently. Once done, tap on Continue and mention the reason why you are taking the desired action in case Instagram asks you to. Enter your Password and once again press on Continue, post which you are done.
Remember, deactivating or deleting your Instagram account is a significant decision. If you deactivate, your profile, photos, comments, and likes will be hidden until you reactivate your account by logging back in. If you delete your account, you will permanently lose your profile, photos, videos, comments, likes, and followers. Choose the option that best suits your needs.
Samsung makes all kinds of electronics from smartphones to laptops and one of its product lines includes an All-In-One (AIO) PC. Almost a year after the brand’s last launch in the segment, Samsung has now refreshed its AIO PC line-up with the Samsung All-In-One Pro PC that not only serves as an alternative/competitor to the iMac but also looks like one. Here’s everything you need to know about the device.
Samsung All-In-One Pro: Price
The Samsung All-in-One Pro carries a price tag of 1.99 million South Korean won (approx Rs 1,22,000). It is currently available for pre-order in Korea with an official release date of April 22. There’s no word on whether it will be launched in other regions including India.
Samsung All-In-One Pro: Specs
The Samsung AIO Pro sports a 27-inch display with a 16:9 aspect ratio and an anti-glare Resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. The screen is encased in a metal frame measuring a mere 6.5mm, delivering a clean aesthetic. The AIO Pro is powered by the Intel Core Ultra 7 Processor 155H processor, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and 32GB of LPDDR5x RAM.
The PC gets integrated Intel Arc graphics and an AKG-tuned four-speaker setup with two 5W woofers and two 2W tweeters. The PC also has dual digital mics and supports Dolby Atmos as well. It runs out of the box in Windows 11 Home. There’s a plethora of I/O ports available, including an 11-in-1 Multi-media Card Reader, 1 x Headphone output/microphone input combo, 2 x Thunderbolt 4 ports, 1 x USB 3.2 port, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x HDMI-in, 1 x RJ45 (LAN) and 1 x DC-in.
In addition, the PC comes paired with a Wireless 2.4HGz / Bluetooth Keyboard and Mouse. A 185W power adaptor is included in the box. Other Samsung ecosystem-specific features include Buds Auto Switch, Multi Control, Quick Share, and Second Screen for seamless file transfers and display mirroring with Galaxy phones and tablets.
Samsung All-In-One Pro: iMac Competitor?
Apple updated its 24-inch iMac with the M3 chip in October last year, and on the other hand, Samsung gets you a 27-inch display, which is already beneficial for those who want a bigger screen to look at. The iMac features a 4.5K Retina Display with 11.3 million pixels and over a billion colours, faster wireless connectivity, and a seamless experience with iPhone. While smaller, the display on the iMac is slightly sharper due to a higher resolution.
Power-wise, both of them shouldn’t break a sweat in daily use and even during demanding workflows. However, it’s up to you whether you want MacOS or Windows, depending on which one of them suits your workflow better.
The iMac also has a 1080p FaceTime camera, studio-quality mics, and a six-speaker sound system with support for Spatial Audio when playing music or video with Dolby Atmos. The Samsung AIO Pro has a four-speaker system so iMac has an EDGE here too. Connectivity-wise, you get a greater variety of ports on the Samsung PC than on the iMac.
English is spoken extensively worldwide and is recognized as an official language in more than 60 countries. In today’s world, a good command of English is essential. While schools are doing their best to provide education, different online platforms, such as Master Spellers, are taking a unique and innovative approach to teaching the language.
What is Master Spellers?
Master Spellers emerged in 2021 as a platform dedicated to fostering a community enthusiastic about spelling and language acquisition. The initiative is built around organizing engaging competitions that welcome participants universally, aiming to collectively enhance linguistic abilities. The goal of Master Spellers is to stimulate autonomous learning among individuals, with a secondary emphasis on the competitive spirit, thereby prioritizing personal advancement. “Within a span of two years from its inception, Master Spellers earned a spot among the Top 10 language learning startups in India,” said Sharmishtha Chawda, founder of Master Spellers.
Distinct from traditional spelling bees, Master Spellers introduces a competitive framework that prompts participants to demonstrate their linguistic capabilities across various stages. Unlike the conventional format, where individuals are tested on their ability to spell words correctly under different difficulty levels, Master Spellers broadens the scope of competition.
Master Spellers organizes competitions that take place within educational institutions to create a friendly and collaborative environment for learners. This approach promotes engagement and encourages healthy competition among students. Additionally, the contests are integrated into the school curriculum, which enhances the learning process and complements the academic framework.
Leveraging technology, Master Spellers has developed a digital interface for conducting the preliminary and intermediate rounds of its contests, ensuring wider accessibility and convenience for participants. The culmination of the competition, however, is marked by an in-person finale hosted in an auditorium, thereby retaining the traditional excitement associated with competitive events.
Master Spellers is a competition that focuses on English-teaching schools as its primary audience. The competition is designed to be inclusive and offers children from Grade 1 to Grade 12 the opportunity to engage in the linguistic challenges posed by the platform. The aim is to provide a platform that encourages participation from schools where language skills are deemed essential within the educational program.
To amplify its reach and impact, Master Spellers has forged partnerships with over 400 schools in India, integrating its competitions into the schools’ language learning curricula. This strategic alliance not only broadens the platform’s participant base but also embeds Master Spellers within the academic ecosystem, making it a significant tool for language learning and development among young learners.
Master Spellers: Benefits
During the discussion, Chawda emphasized the numerous benefits that children can gain from participating in competitions hosted on the platform. One of the most significant advantages is the exposure to international material, which provides them with a chance to learn diverse nuances and expressions of the English language. The platform sources its educational resources from all over the world, including books and study materials, to ensure a holistic learning experience for the participants.
Master Spellers departs from traditional learning methods by adopting a “learn with fun” philosophy. This approach aims to engage and motivate participants through interactive and entertaining learning experiences, ultimately encouraging them to excel in the competitions, ” said Chawda.
Master Spellers claims to offer practical application of English language skills beyond theoretical knowledge taught in schools.
Sharing an update on the strategic tie-up, Chawda said, “Master Spellers has partnered with Oxford University, demonstrating our commitment to high-quality education and granting participants access to excellent resources and methodologies to enhance their learning experience.” She further adds, “Incidentally, we are the first learning platform of its kind in India to partner with Oxford University UK.”
Master Spellers is a platform that is only available through their website. Chawda has confirmed that they do not have any plans to launch an app anytime soon. This decision is intentional, as Master Spellers aims to discourage mobile phone usage among students who use the platform.
As for the pricing, the platform follows a tier-wise pricing structure. This includes:
Rs 300 per student for registration and first round
Rs 600 for the second round
Rs 1,200 for the third round
Rs 1,500 for the fourth and final round
As students qualify, they register for subsequent rounds, progressing through the tiers based on their performance.
Individual participation is allowed with the same pricing. However, the school name must still be mentioned as Master Speller requires it.
To promote environmental sustainability and incentivize eco-conscious behaviour, Samsung is gearing up to launch Eco Stamps, a unique reward system designed to recognize users for their environmental care efforts.
How will it Work?
Samsung’s SmartThings App is set to be the foundation for the Eco Stamps initiative. The app will provide users with information on the carbon emissions produced by their devices. Using AI algorithms based on usage patterns, the app’s AI Energy Mode will give users significant energy-saving tips.
As users start to conserve energy, they will earn carbon points for reducing CO2 emissions. These carbon points can then be converted into redeemable Eco Stamps.
Impact and Insights
Dipesh Shah, managing director of Samsung Research Institute, Bengaluru, emphasized the significance of integrating carbon emission tracking into the SmartThings app. He said, ” Providing users with real-time data on the environmental impact of their device usage empowers them to reduce their carbon footprint proactively and accumulate Eco Stamps.”
Eco Stamps can then be redeemed for rewards and incentives at Samsung stores. The exact timeline for launching Eco Stamps is currently being worked on, and an announcement is expected soon.
Samsung Bespoke AI series
Additionally, Samsung Electronics has upgraded its home appliance offerings with Bespoke AI, a platform-specific approach aimed at maximizing sales through AI-powered appliances by 2025. The company’s commitment to sustainability extends to regular software updates for appliances through Smart Forward, ensuring the latest features and updates.
Every product in the Bespoke AI series is Knox secure to meet security standards during OS updates. Samsung’s AI-powered appliances, such as refrigerators, air conditioners, microwaves, and washing machines, aim to promote connected home living. These appliances offer various features, including AI vision cameras in refrigerators that enable automatic food recognition, air conditioners with a Welcome Cooling function, and AI Geofencing that enhances user convenience and energy efficiency.
Samsung has debuted its new Galaxy M55 5G in India and the brand has launched it in a segment that makes it compete with the Nothing Phone (2a), which debuted earlier last month. Here’s a quick comparison between the two mid-ranger smartphones based on on-paper specifications.
Display
The Galaxy M55 5G sports a 6.6-inch 120Hz Super AMOLED panel with a full-HD+ Resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), dragontrail glass protection and 1000 nits peak brightness.
The Nothing Phone (2a) sports a 6.7-inch AMOLED FHD+ screen with a Resolution of 1084 x 2412 pixels, HDR10+, up to 1300 nits brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate and a 120Hz refresh rate.
Both of them have a similar display panel in terms of Refresh Rate and resolution but the Phone (2a)’s panel gets slightly brighter in outdoor conditions, making it in the winner in this segment.
Performance & Software
The Nothing Phone (2a) is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 processor, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. Samsung’s Galaxy M55 5G draws power from the Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 paired with up to 12GB LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Moreover, it supports expandable storage up to 1TB while the Nothing Phone (2a) doesn’t.
Both of them have chipsets that are quite capable in the segment and daily usage shouldn’t be an issue on either of them. With what we saw on Phone (2a) in our review, we were quite impressed. However, Samsung has the EDGE with faster storage and because it has storage expansion support too.
As for software, the Phone (2a) runs on Android 14-based Nothing OS 2.5 while Galaxy M55 5G runs on One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. They have their own advantages and drawbacks and ultimately, it’s a subjective choice. However, the M55 wins again, as it gets longer update support, with up to 4 years of OS upgrades compared to 3 on the Phone (2a).
Battery & Cameras
Both the Phone (2a) and Galaxy M55 5G get a 5000mAh battery with 45W Fast charging and neither of them comes with a charger in the box. As for cameras, the Galaxy M55 5G has a triple rear camera setup including a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide angle f/2.2 sensor along a 2MP f/2.4 macro sensor. At the front, it gets a 50MP f/2.4 selfiensensor.
The Phone (2a) gets a 32-megapixel f/2.2 selfie camera. The Nothing Phone (2a) has launched with a dual rear camera setup, consisting of a 50-megapixel f/1.88 OIS-assisted primary camera and a 50-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide angle camera. It supports Ultra XDR technology as well.
In terms of battery and charging, it’s a tie considerig they have identical specs. As for optics, the on-paper specs for the Phone (2a) are better if we talk of rear cameras but for the selfie sensor, the M55 5G is a more suitable choice. Once again, it’s a draw in terms of cameras too.
Verdict
The Nothing Phone (2a) starts at Rs 23,999 while the Galaxy M55 5G starts at Rs 26,999, both for the same 8GB + 128GB model. Definitely, the Galaxy M55 5G may look expensive at first but for a higher price tag, you get longer software update support, better front camera along with faster storage with expansion support as well.
However, the Phone (2a) should suit you better if you want a cleaner software experience that’s closer to Stock Android along with an IP rating and decent rear cameras too. Overall, we’d say it’s a tie between the two and the final choice would depend on each user’s preference for the features on offer.
Google seems to be testing a couple of new features for its services including the Google Search and the Google app. For Google Search, there’s a new ‘Short Videos’ filter that’s in the works while for the Google app, there’s a new Gemini AI switch that could be coming soon. Here’s what we know about the two features.
Short Videos Filter In Google Search
According to the finding from Assemble Debug on X (via Piunika Web), Google is working on adding a new filter to Google Search, dubbed ‘Short Videos’. As its name suggests, the filter would essentially allow users to look for short videos related to the subject they are searching for. As of now, there’s no way to search specifically for short videos except when you input those keywords within your search terms.
The addition is likely being made to make short videos more accessible. Google already began indexing TikTok and Instagram videos back in 2021 and its own YouTube Shorts platform will most probably populate the filter. The new ‘Short Videos’ filter joins the Video, Images, News, Shopping, and other search filters on Google. However, it couldn’t be tested as the feature still seems to be in development.
A toggle switch for Gemini (Google’s AI chatbot) is also in development within the Google app. Switching to Gemini within the Google app allows you to initiate interactions with the AI through typing, speaking, or sharing an image. Essentially, you transition from the traditional Google Search and Discover interface to the Gemini interface, which users currently access when they replace the Google Assistant on their device.
It is basically the same method iOS users have for using Gemini right through the Google app. The publication says that this feature is also being finished by Google and may start appearing on Android devices gradually in the upcoming weeks or months. An exact timeline for the rollout of the feature wasn’t shared.
Update: It seems like Realme itself has confirmed that the Realme P1 5G in the P-series will be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 Processor and not the Dimensity 7200 as stated below through a leak.The Realme P1 Pro 5G has officially been confirmed to be powered by the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 SoC.
Original Story Below
Realme has announced the launch of a new smartphone series in India, called the Realme P series 5G where the letter P stands for ‘Power’. While there was no mention of the release timeline for the first smartphone in the series, some information regarding the same has now been leaked, including the Chipset details.
Realme Power Series 5G
Realme Vice President, Chase Xu, took to X to make a formal announcement regarding the launch of Realme Power Series 5G in India. The company executive also revealed that the upcoming Realme P-series will be exclusively designed for the Indian market and will be sold via Flipkart only.
The company executive said that Realme aims to democratise favoured tech and redefine the mid-range experience in the country. The Realme P-series devices will focus on providing value-driven premium smartphones and will be targeted at the young buyers in India.
Aside from this, the devices will also have a focus on design and will only consist of 5G smartphones. Till 2023, Realme claims that it has sold over 100 million devices in the country, which translates to approximately 10 crore smartphones.
Further, tipster Abhishek Yadav revealed the processors the initial two Realme P-series devices will be coming with. This includes the MediaTek Dimensity 7200 for the Realme P1 and the Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 for the Realme P1 Pro. However, the tipster isn’t very sure about the latter. He also claims that the devices will launch later this month.
Judging by the chipsets, the smartphones could be positioned in the lower-end mid-range segment in the country and could be priced anywhere between Rs 20,000 and Rs 25,000. It will be competing with the likes of the Nothing Phone (2a), iQOO Z9, OnePlus Nord CE 4, and more. The brand already has its Narzo 70 Pro 5G in the range and some of its C-series smartphones also, which makes it interesting to see what the USP of the Realme Power Series 5G smartphones would be.
