Infinix Hot 6 Pro review: Adept budget phone with big screen, good battery

The Infinix Hot 6 Pro boasts a powerful 4,000 mAh battery, which lasts for around two days. However, charging times are not good and the phone takes more than two hours to go from 0-100%

Infinix, a smartphone brand owned by Hong Kong-based mobile phone manufacturer Transsion Holdings, on July 11 launched the Infinix Hot 6 Pro at Rs 7,999. The phone sports a 5.99-inch screen in 18:9 ratio, dual rear cameras and a 4,000 mAh battery, making it a solid proposition in an entry-level smartphone segment.

For a budget smartphone, the 5.99-inch HD+ resolution screen stretched in 18:9 aspect ratio looks optimal. It reduces the phone’s overall dimension, making it comfortable to hold and easy to operate. The screen is bright and there is no visible touch lag. The screen and touch calibration is also on spot, making it a budget device that feels like a mid-ranger. The screen supports eye care mode, which calibrates it to warm settings for extended on-screen usage without causing any discomfort to eyes.

Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad core system-on-chip (SoC), paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory -- expandable up to 128 GB through microSD card – the phone runs smoothly and performs basic tasks like calls, messaging, casual browsing without hiccups. However, due to entry-level process with limited resources, the phone shows minor lags here and there, especially with processor intensive apps running in background.

The Hot 6 Pro comes loaded with Android 8.0 Oreo operating system out-of-the-box, based on Infinix’s Hummingbird XOS 3.2 system user interface (UI). The interface is smooth, but has a lot of bloatware pre-installed such as Flipkart, Carlcare, Facebook, Magic Movie, Palmstore and PHX Browser apps.

In terms of imaging, the Hot 6 Pro boasts a horizontally stacked dual-camera setup at the back with a 13-megapixel primary sensor, mated with a 2MP depth sensing lens. The rear cameras manages to take average-to-decent photographs in normal day light but struggles in low-light conditions. The in-build portrait mode, which uses depth sensing camera for enhanced bokeh effect, is not bad either and the portraits come out clean with good focus on object and proper focus and background segmentation.

The 5MP selfie camera on the front takes average shots with overexposed backgrounds at times and hazy focus even during day light conditions. At night, the front camera struggles to impress.

For device unlock, the phone sports fingerprint sensor on the back, which works fine. The phone also supports face-unlocking mechanism, which uses front camera to detect face to unlock the phone. The face unlock feature works fine under normal light, but tends to miss the face during low light. However, the phone features front flash that could be used in dark for front camera to recognise face and unlock the phone.

Article Source : RS

Now you can send messages with stickers, emojis from web: Know how to do it

Google had recently rolled out an update for its Android messaging app enabling WhatsApp-like web operation for sending messages, emojis, stickers and pictures from computer

Global search engine and technology giant, Google has recently rolled out an update for its Android messaging app enabling WhatsApp-like web operation for sending messages, emojis, stickers and pictures from a computer. The app also gets several other features such as GIF search, smart reply, link preview, etc. that brings it on par with other instant messaging apps.

Dubbed as ‘messages from web’, the WhatsApp-like web-based service allows users to operate Android messages app from notebook or computer. However, the feature is available as a part of the latest update, therefore, will not work in previous versions of the app. Interestingly, the messages app now also supports image attachments, stickers and emojis, which were earlier restricted to only internet-based instant messaging apps.

Here is how to use web-based Android messages client:

Step 1: Check your device for Android messages app. Smartphones with stock Android may have the app by default, whereas other smartphone users may have to download and install it from Google Play store.

Step 2: Make sure the messages app is up to date, and there is no new update notification pending in the Play Store for the app. Update the app if there is a new version available.

Step 3: Open the messages app and go to more options setting by clicking on the three vertical dots icon visible on top, near to search icon.

Step 4: Inside the more options settings, click on messages for web option, which then asks to scan QR code

Step 5: Go to messages.com on your computer and scan the QR code with your phone

Step 6: Your messages app is now connected with browser-based web client. However, it would stay functional until the phone is connected to working internet. Without internet services in the phone, the web-based messages platform could not be used.

Here are other features added to the Android messages app

GIF search

Now, the message app makes finding appropriate GIFs easier by enabling GIF search feature. To search for a GIF from keyword, you can tap the + button on the left hand side of the compose bar and enter your keyword to find the best available options.

Article source : BS

Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S leak shows all-screen front, dual cameras on back

The phone is expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018, which would be held in Barcelona starting from February 26

Xiaomi is one of the companies that were the first to venture into the untapped bezel-less screen segment. The first-generation bezel-less smartphone -- the Mi Mix – from the stable of the China-based smartphone manufacturer was a concept device. It had a huge screen of 6.4-inch covering the entire front…well, almost.

The second-generation device, however, sees some major improvements in terms of handling, design and aesthetics. And the phone – the Mi Mix 2 – was launched in more countries than its predecessor.

The second-generation device, with edge-to-edge screen on three sides and a limited chin at the bottom to accommodate front camera, also made it close to be actually called an all-screen mobile phone.

The equation might change for Xiaomi this year as the company is reportedly working on an updated unit of Mi Mix 2, with an enhanced screen, which is expected to cover the front completely. Interestingly, an image render found on Chinese social media platform Weibo hints at the changes we could see in the next-generation bezel-less smartphone from Xiaomi.

Called the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, the smartphone is expected to sport a true all-screen front, which might be called a Full Screen Design 3.0 officially. As for the camera, it was placed at the bottom chin on the front in the predecessor. But in the Mi Mix 2S, there might be a small notch on the top right corner just to fit it. The phone is also reported to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor.

Other specifications might include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, an 8GB RAM and 256GB internal storage.

The phone is expected to be unveiled at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018, to be held in Barcelona starting from February 26.

Google rolls out Android 7.0 Nougat for Nexus devices

Google rolls out Android 7.0 Nougat for Nexus devices

Google on Tuesday announced the launch of Android 7.0Nougat for Nexus devices.

The company said over the next several weeks, the Nexus 6, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 9, Nexus Player, Pixel C and General Mobile 4G (Android One) will get an over-the-air software update to Android 7.0 Nougat.

Any devices enrolled in the Android Beta Programme will also receive this final version.

This means the update will miss the Nexus 5 and 7 tablets. The official Google blog also said, “There are many tasty devices coming from our partners running Android Nougat, including the upcoming LG V20, which will be the first new smartphone that ships with Android Nougat, right out of the box.”

According to news reports, the upgrade will be rolled out for devices such as HTC10, HTC One 9A, HTC One M9 and Sony Xperia Z3.(more)

ALSO READ: Five things you should look forward to in Android N

Samsung launches Z2 at Rs 4,590 to woo feature phone users to switch to smartphone

Samsung launches Z2 at Rs 4,590 to woo feature phone users to switch to smartphone

Samsung has launched a new 4G handset 'Z2', priced at Rs 4,590, to woo feature phone users to switch to smartphones.

The device, which is also aimed at first time smartphone buyers, is powered by Samsung's own Tizen operating system.

"About 55 crore people in the country are still using feature phones and about 10 million feature phones get sold each month. With Z2, we want to help people transition to smartphones," Samsung India Vice President Mobile Business Manu Sharma told PTI.

He added that the Z2 is the most affordable 4G-VoLTE device in Samsung's current portfolio.

The handset, which will go on sale offline and through Paytm (online) from August 29, will come bundled with Reliance Jio's free voice and data service for 90 days.

This is the third handset powered by Tizen OS. The first smartphone, Z1 in January last year, followed by Z3 in October.(more)

Five things you should look forward to in Android N

Five things you should look forward to in Android N

Google has finally let us know what the ‘N’ in Android N stands for. And this time they decided to crowdsource the name. And no, it’s not Neyyappam or Nankhatai. The ‘N’ in Android stands for Nougat, that chewy, sticky dessert.

Nougat is a sweet made from sugar or honey, nuts, and egg white.

Now, nougat isn’t as mainstream as say KitKat or Ice Cream Sandwich or Marshmallow, but it does have its fans. I have an old relationship with it. As a kid, I would pop into my mouth the moment I didn’t want to answer inane questions such as “Do you like your teacher?” or “Recite a poem for us”. While such nougats are long gone, the closest one can have over the counter is a Snickers bar.

But Google chose Nougat over Neyyappam, the deep-fried concoction from God’s Own Country. This despite the fact that we’ve had reports that among the names being considered were Nankhatai and Neyyappam, and that Neyyappam was leading!

Every time we talk of crowdsourcing, we expect to win by sheer numbers. And of course, doesn’t our own “Sundi” head Google? Neyyappam was a winner even before you finished saying it. Yes, India is a land of over a billion people, but we forgot to read the fine print: Google takes the final call on the name, despite whichever name getting the maximum ‘votes’. And while Sundar Pichai is the CEO of Google, that in no way affects what the next version of Android should be named. So while we might think it’s a loss of face for Indian fans, we should spare a thought for the millions of non-Indians who also use the world’s most popular mobile operating system. And if one goes by sheer numbers, shouldn’t all phones run only Chinese versions of software? Read more

Android at its best

Android at its best

Nexus phones are known to provide the optimal Android experience. Perhaps, the only range of phones which can give an iPhone a run for its money. With the Nexus 6P, Google aims to do just that.

The 6P, where P stands for 'premium', is manufactured by Huawei - a first for Google. With a full metal unibody design and flat sides, the phone undoubtedly looks like a premium one. It's easy to hold especially since all the buttons are lined up on the right side. It has a 5.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 2,560 x 1,440p. The colours are vibrant and sharp. It also houses a fingerprint scanner at the back. The phone protrudes at the back but not enough to make it uncomfortable to use.Read More.