Xiaomi HyperOS 2 rollout schedule was revealed by the Chinese smartphone maker, suggesting that the first set of supported devices will begin receiving the update as soon as later this month. The schedule also includes tablets and wearables from the brand, and not just smartphones.
In a post on X, Xiaomi detailed that it will roll out its Android 15-based HyperOS 2 aoftware update globally starting this month. HyperOS 2 rollout schedule confirms that the first set of phones to get the software update in November include the Xiaomi 14T series, Xiaomi 14 series, Xiaomi Mix Flip, and the Redmi Note 13 series. Some Poco devices, including Poco F6 Pro, Poco X6 Pro, Poco X6, and the Poco M6 Pro, will also receive HyperOS 2 this month.
Furthermore, it will also be rolled out for the Xiaomi Pad 6S Pro 12.4 and the Xiaomi Smart Band 9 Pro in November itself. In December 2024, the devices that will receive the update include:
As for tablets receiving HyperOS 2 in December 2024, the list includes:
Xiaomi Pad 6
Redmi Pad Pro 5G
Redmi Pad Pro
Redmi Pad SE 8.7 4G
Redmi Pad SE 8.7
Redmi Pad SE
Poco Pad
It is unclear whether this rollout schedule also applies for India, as some smartphones which are also confirmed to receive the update are missing from the list (for instance: Xiaomi 14 CIVI).
HyperOS 2 comes preloaded on the Xiaomi 15 series, and offers a slew of new features, such as Hypercore with new Dynamic Memory and Storage 2.0, AI-Powered Lock Screen, dynamic effects across home screens, 3D real-time weather, Xiaomi HyperConnect, Xiaomi HyperAI, and much more.
Qubo, the Smart Devices brand from the Hero Group, today announced the launch of 2 new models to its popular range of Smart Air Purifiers. The Qubo Smart Air Purifiers Q600 and Q1000 are touted to sport BLDC motors and filters that can last for 15,000 hours, as per the brand’s claims.
Qubo Smart Air Purifiers Q600, Q1000: Price
The Q600 & Q1000 are retailing on the Qubo website and major marketplaces including Amazon, Flipkart, Blinkit & Zepto. Their MRPs are :
Q600 Smart Air Purifier – Rs 24,990
Q1000 Smart Air Purifier – Rs 29,990
Qubo Smart Air Purifiers Q600, Q1000: Features
These new Smart Air Purifiers can cover spaces as large as 1000 sq. ft. In addition, they continue to offer Qubo’s Proprietary QSensAI and can be managed seamlessly through the Qubo App. Qubo offers a total of 5 variants to choose from.
The Q600 and Q1000 effectively tackle large areas, providing clean air for living rooms, halls, foyers, galleries, and more. Their coverage areas include up to 600 sq. ft. for the Q600 and up to 1000 sq. ft. for the Q1000.
Qubo’s proprietary AI technology, QSensAI, has also improved this year. By intelligently analyzing ambient air quality real-time, QSensAI automatically turns on/off and adjusts fan speed and filtration intensity to optimize performance and energy efficiency. This ensures that your home’s air is always clean and fresh, without unnecessary energy consumption.
The air purifiers support remote control, filter replacement reminders, real-time air quality monitoring via Qubo app, and have an added convenience of voice control via Alexa and Google Assistant devices. Additionally, one of the features allows users to compare indoor and outdoor AQI levels, sourced directly from the Central Pollution Control Board.
The Q600 and Q1000 are also equipped with a 4-layer filtration system that removes 99.99% of harmful pollutants, including PM2.5, PM10, pollen, pet dander, and more. The True HEPA H13 filter traps particles as small as PM0.1. They are powered by a BLDC motor with a filter lifespan of about 15,000 hours.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has launched India’s first direct-to-device satellite connectivity service. This technology, developed in partnership with US-based communications company Viasat, promises to bridge the digital divide and bring reliable communication to even the most isolated corners of the country.
The Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT) announced the launch via an X post with a video, where the caption read, “BSNL launches India’s 1st Satellite-to-Device service! Seamless connectivity now reaches India’s remotest corners.” Satellite Connectivity service itself isn’t something new but was so far reserved for emergency services, military, and other similar services, particularly in India.
In international regions such as the US, the service is also available for the general public and is leveraged by companies like Apple that offer support to contact emergency services in critical situations through their smartphones, beginning with the iPhone 14 series that was announced 2 years back.
Unveiled at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2024, the BSNL Direct-to-Device Satellite Connectivity Service utilizes Viasat’s geostationary L-band satellites, positioned approximately 36,000 kilometers above Earth. This Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology allows for seamless two-way communication between devices and satellites, bypassing the need for terrestrial cell towers. Through this technology, even those users who live in an area with poor network reception can stay connected to their loved ones.
The service is touted to offer a range of benefits, including how it extends Network coverage to remote areas, disaster-prone zones, and maritime regions, ensuring uninterrupted communication for all. It enables users to make emergency calls and send SOS messages even when traditional networks are unavailable, a critical feature for disaster relief and emergency response. Moreover, users will also be able to make UPI payments in similar situations.
While pricing and device compatibility details are yet to be officially announced, the service is expected to be accessible to both individuals and businesses.
Amazon has announced the launch of Fire TV Omi Mini-LED series Smart TV along with the Fire TV Soundbar Plus series and the refreshed Fire TV-4 series. The Mini-LED series TV packs a cinematic QLED Mini-LED display and delivers up to 1,400 nits of peak brightness and up to 1,344 dimming zones. Here’s everything to know about the new lineup.
Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series
The new Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series is available in the following sizes with their respective prices:
55-inches: $819.99 (approx Rs 62,000)
65-inches: $1,089.99 (approx Rs 92,000)
75-inches: $1,499.99 (approx Rs 1,26,550)
85-inches: $2,099.99 (approx Rs 1,77,200)
The Omni Mini-LED Series sports a QLED Mini-LED display and delivers up to 1,400 nits of peak brightness and up to 1,344 dimming zones—plus support for Dolby Vision IQ, and HDR10+ Adaptive. The lineup features built-in far-field technology so you can discover shows and movies, manage playback, and control the Fire TV Ambient Experience hands-free using your voice with Alexa.
It packs Intelligent Picture technology which combines artificial intelligence with the lineup’s new advanced light and colour sensor to enhance picture quality by automatically identifying, analyzing, and optimizing scenes in real-time, fine-tuning picture details like landscapes, buildings, sports, and more. The TV’s light and color sensor simultaneously detects the room’s lighting conditions, adjusting brightness and color temperature for optimal viewing.
The lineup comes with the Fire TV Ambient Experience, which replaces blank TV screens with helpful information and beautiful artwork when not streaming. The TV’s new high-fidelity radar sensor powers an upcoming new feature within the Ambient Experience which transforms motion into art. This interactive artwork joins AI Art and a growing collection of more than 2,000 free, gallery-quality images available within the Ambient Experience.
The lineup introduces support for Dolby Atmos audio—plus two powerful speakers and up to two built-in subwoofers. The TV also sports dedicated gaming features, with it being the first ever Amazon-built TV with an AMD FreeSync Premium Pro certification. Combining Variable Refresh Rate, Auto Low Latency Mode, and a new 144Hz Refresh Rate in Gaming Mode, Fire TV Omni Mini-LED Series eliminates visual artifacts and input lag.
Next, the lineup introduces support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, enabling customers with Wi-Fi 6E routers to future-proof their wireless connectivity. In addition, the new Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series will also expand Fire TV’s support for the Audio Streaming for Hearing Aids (ASHA) protocol with Dual Audio. Coming soon, the new accessibility feature enables customers with ASHA-enabled hearing aids to get high-quality audio delivered directly to their hearing aids while others simultaneously listen through the TV’s speakers.
In the United States, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus is priced at $249.99 (approx Rs 21,100). When bundled with a wireless subwoofer, the price is $374.99 (approx Rs 31,600), and with the addition of two surround sound speakers, the total is $489.99 (approx Rs 41,300).
The Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a 3.1-channel all-in-one soundbar that supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and DTS TruVolume. With precise tuning, a customizable Dialogue Enhancer, and a broad Frequency range, the Fire TV Soundbar Plus is touted to capture every sound detail—from subtle whispers to booming explosions.
This 37-inch soundbar offers four preset modes—Movie, Music, Sports, and Night—each designed to optimize audio for different content. Setup is simple: just power on the soundbar and connect it to the TV’s HDMI ARC/eARC port with the included HDMI cable. You can further customize your home theater experience with a new wireless subwoofer or new wireless surround sound speakers, designed to instantly pair with the soundbar.
Users can purchase the standalone soundbar or choose between one of two upgrade bundles—the soundbar plus a wireless subwoofer, or the soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two wireless surround sound speakers.
Fire TV 4-Series
The Fire TV 4-Series is also getting a refresh. The lineup now features an ultra-slim bezel that fades into the background so your content is front and center. The Fire TV 4-Series continues to deliver enhanced picture quality in 4K UHD Resolution with support for HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Sound.
Google is working on a Shielded Email feature equivalent to Apple’s ‘Hide my Email’ feature, which essentially protects your email ID from spam. The feature will hide your email and create a temporary one that will forward emails to your original email ID. Here’s everything to know about it.
As spotted by Android Authority in an APK teardown of the version 24.45.33 release of Google Play Services, Google is working on a Shielded Email feature. This feature consists of a system that allows you to create single-use or limited-use email aliases that forward messages to your primary account. While this feature could be useful in Chrome, Google appears to be designing it specifically to handle situations where apps request your email address.
Shielded Email will likely be available when creating new accounts in Android apps. Google highlights that this feature “can protect you from online tracking and data breaches.” Emails will be forwarded to your primary account, and you can “turn off forwarding at any time in your Google Account” if spam becomes an issue. Further, Google could integrate the feature with Android’s autofill service and the Google Password Manager as well.
As of now, it’s unclear whether Google will charge for the feature or it will be made available free of cost. In Apple’s case, the company charges for the ‘Hide my Email’ feature as it is bundled with the iCloud+ subscription.
In related news to Google, the company has also introduced Google Calendar integration within Gemini in Gmail so users could easily ask the AI-powered assistant to create events via the Gmail App itself. This integration is in addition to the ability of Gemini to connect with other Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, helping users complete tasks without ever leaving Gmail.
Samsung seems to be gearing up to launch its next generation of A-series devices, including the Samsung Galaxy A26. The leaked Galaxy A26 design shows us the Galaxy Z Fold 6-like camera rings on the back along with the key island on the right spine of the handset.
As per the Galaxy A26 design leaked by Android Headlines, three cameras are vertically stacked in the top-left corner of the back. Next to that camera island is the LED flash, which protrudes a bit. The front and back sides of the phone are flat, as expected. On the right, there’s the key island, which packs the power and volume keys. The front has the Infinity-U notch design that houses the selfie sensor.
The phone will likely retain its plastic build quality. The phone’s SIM card slot will be accessible from the left side, while at the bottom, you’ll see the speaker grille along with the USB-C port and a mic. The device doesn’t have a 3.5mm audio jack, though. As for its measurements, it will roughly measure 164 x 77.5 x 7.7mm (9.7mm including the camera bump).
Once again, the Galaxy A26 design isn’t largely different from the previous Samsung phones across all categories, except for the camera rings, which are also expected to be seen on the upcoming Galaxy S25 series phones.
In a separate leak related to Samsung, it is rumoured that the Galaxy S25 series will launch globally on January 22, 2025. The series is expected to consist of three phones, as usual, and be powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s leaked renders suggest it will undergo a design revamp over the Galaxy S23 Ultra and S24 Ultra.
Reliance Jio Rs 11 data pack has been launched by the telecom operator. The new data add-on pack can be found on Reliance Jio’s website and MyJio app, and can be used even if you don’t have a base plan. Here’s everything the new prepaid data pack from Reliance Jio has to offer.
Jio’s Rs 11 data voucher provides 10GB of high-speed 4G data with a validity of 1 hour, starting immediately upon recharge. This pack is internet-only, offering no voice or SMS benefits. It can be purchased through the MyJio App or website.
The plan functions both when you have a base plan or not, meaning you don’t need an active base pack to use it, but your connectivity will be limited to internet access only. If you already have a base pack with calling and SMS, this data voucher can be used simultaneously, allowing you to retain your other telecom services.
Aside from the Jio Rs 11 data pack, the telco also offers other data-only packs, such as the Rs 49 plan, and other which cost Rs 175, Rs 219, Rs 289, and Rs 359.
The operator has gradually introduced price hikes across some of its plans over the past year. Back in August this year, prices of Jio prepaid plans with bundled Netflix subscription that costed Rs 1,099 and Rs 1,499, were increased to Rs 1,299 and Rs 1,799, respectively.
The cheaper Prepaid plan includes the Netflix Mobile plan while the more expensive one comes with the Netflix Basic plan. Those who opt for the cheaper one will be able to access Netflix on a smartphone or a tablet and only through one device at a time. The highest Resolution users get for video streaming is 480p.
LG has announced the launch of LG XBOOM series speakers in India, comprising the XG2T, XL9T, and XO2T models. “This new collection is designed to elevate the audio experience with better sound quality, enhanced portability, and lighting features, catering to both indoor and outdoor settings for music enthusiasts across the country,” says the company.
LG XBOOM Series Speakers: Price, Availability
The LG XBOOM series will be available for purchase across retail and online platforms in India, including LG.com, starting from November 15, 2024. The XG2T costs Rs 4,990, the XO2T costs Rs 12,990, and the XL9T costs Rs 64,900.
LG XBOOM Series Speakers: Features
The LG XBOOM XL9T is a party speaker built for high-impact sound experiences. It offers a 1000W output delivered through dual 8-inch woofers and 3-inch tweeters. Equipped with a bass enhancement algorithm, the XL9T delivers deep, resonant sound.
It also features a New PixelLED along with woofer lighting. One can customise/create new Text, Characters, or emojis, which creates a club-like ambiance. The speaker has a Water-resistant IPX4-rated build, a convenient handle, and sturdy wheels for easy transportation.
The LG XBOOM GO XG2T is designed for portability. This compact 5W speaker is equipped with a 1.5-inch woofer and passive radiator, enhanced by a bass algorithm that produces dynamic, high-pressure sound for its size.
Built to withstand tough conditions with an IP67 rating and US Military Standard durability, the XG2T provides up to 10 hours of playback, making it suitable for outdoor adventures. Its customizable string allows easy attachment to backpacks, bicycles, tents, and more. It also supports Bluetooth calling.
The LG XBOOM XO2T sports 360-degree omnidirectional 20W sound paired with mood-enhancing lighting with a transparent glass effect that diffuses soft, candle-like light, creating an elegant ambiance in any setting. The XO2T is also IP55 water resistant and has 15+ hours of battery life.
It further gets Bluetooth 5.3, LG One Touch mode, and multi-point connectivity. These speakers have Synergy with LG TVs, which can play along with optimised front or rear surround settings and stereo. Even if you have a TV from a different brand, XBOOM speakers can still be connected to your TV or mobile devices.
Vivo has confirmed that it will soon launch a new Y-series phone in India, the Vivo Y300 5G. The Vivo Y300+ 5G was also launched in India earlier last month, and this will be the second handset in the Y300 series.
Vivo Y300 5G: India Launch Details
The Vivo Y300 5G India launch will occur on November 21 at noon IST. The smartphone will be available in three shades: emerald green, phantom purple, and titanium silver.
The Vivo Y300 is said to be equipped with a Sony IMX882 portrait camera and an AI Aura Light, and it supports 80W fast charging. Design-wise, the teaser shared by Vivo India suggests that the device shares its design with the Vivo Y200 5G, which was launched in Thailand recently. If true, the device could get a dual rear camera setup and a punch-hole design on the front.
If the Vivo Y300 5G for India is indeed a rebranded Vivo Y200 5G that was launched in Thailand, then it could sport a 6.67-inch AMOLED Display with a full-HD+ Resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate, 394 ppi, and up to 1800 nits of peak brightness. It also supports 100% DCI-P3 wide colour gamut.
The Y200 5G is powered by the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 Processor paired with up to 12GB of LPDDR4x RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage. A microSD card can expand storage up to 2TB.
The device has a dual rear camera setup, including a 50MP f/1.8 main sensor with PDAF and an 8MP ultra-wide angle f/2.2 sensor. On the front, it gets a 32MP f/2.45 selfie sensor. The handset is backed by a 5000mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging support.
The device’s connectivity options include Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth v5.0, GPS, and a USB-C port. It runs on FunTouch OS 14, which is based on Android 14. It packs stereo speakers and is IP64-rated for dust and water resistance. There’s also an under-display optical fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.
Google has introduced Google Calendar integration within Gemini in Gmail so users could easily ask the AI-powered assistant to create events via the Gmail App itself. This integration is in addition to the ability of Gemini to connect with other Workspace apps like Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Drive, helping users complete tasks without ever leaving Gmail.
As announced via a Google Workspace Updates post, Google Calendar integration within Gemini in Gmail is going live. “We’re excited to add Google Calendar to the list of apps that Gemini in Gmail connects with,” read the post. Users can now ask Gemini in Gmail to perform calendar-related actions or answer questions about their calendars such as:
Create a [1h] event for [lunch] [tomorrow] at [noon].
When is my [first event] next week?
Create a [30 min] calendar event for my weekly [yoga class] every [Monday and Wednesday] at [9 AM].
Users won’t have to input the “@calendar” command like they have to when using extensions in Gemini on mobile. Instead, they can just give Gemini calendar-related commands and the assistant will handle them within Google Calendar. You can now not only create new events with Gemini in Gmail, but also learn additional details about the existing events in your Calendar.
