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Tag: TECH

  • 90’s favourite Nokia is gearing up for a comeback with new devices

    90’s favourite Nokia is gearing up for a comeback with new devices

    Nokia was confronted with a major challenge following the judicial decision in the lawsuit brought against HMD Global. To refresh your memory, a business called VoiceAgeEVS LLC sued the Finish giant in German courts for illegally deploying VoLTE technologies in Nokia handsets.

    Nokia Mobile in response, filed a complaint, which was dismissed, resulting in the withdrawal of smartphones from some European countries. HMD takes intellectual property rights carefully, according to Nokia Mobile, and is ready to provide and acquire licenses on conditions that are fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory.

    Pursuant to VoiceAgeEVS LLC’s discontent with HMD’s legal exercises, a partial ban on Nokia smartphones was imposed. Nokia has already taken measures to ensure that enhanced voice service (EVS) is no longer integrated into its devices sold in Germany, allowing for uninterrupted distribution. In Germany, Austria, and other European nations, phones like the Nokia XR20 and X20 are now eligible for sale in online stores.

    Read more: PTA records 1.73 million new 3G, 4G users in one month

    Nokia C21 is the latest addition to the C-series family, as announced by HMD Global, the house of Nokia devices.

    The new Nokia C21 adds even more value to the popular C-series by preserving the exceptional build quality, hallmark security assurances, and all-day battery life. It costs Rs17,000 and offers improved photos, privacy, and speed for a more enjoyable experience.

  • A budget version of Galaxy A72 to unveil with 5G, 120Hz display

    A budget version of Galaxy A72 to unveil with 5G, 120Hz display

    The Korean tech giant, Samsung has quietly announced the Galaxy M53 5G, featuring a 108-megapixel main camera and a 6.7-inch, 120-Hz Super AMOLED Plus display.

    If those specifications sound familiar, it is because the M53 is a less expensive variant of the Samsung Galaxy A73 5G.

    The chipset is the only significant difference between the Galaxy M53 and the Galaxy A73; the M53 is likely to be powered by a Dimensity 900 rather than the Snapdragon 778G found in the A-series phones as the Korean company rarely lists chipset details. Both are TSMC 6 nm processors, but the Snapdragon has a more powerful GPU and a superior CPU composition (4x Cortex-A78 vs. 2x A78).

    For now, there is also only one storage option, 6 GB of Ram and 128 GB of Rom, with no Ram or storage expansion options. However, the inclusion of a microSD card alleviates the storage issue.

    The mentioned 108 MP main camera is housed behind an f/1.8 lens, although it lacks Optical Image Stabilisation (OIS). A lower-resolution 8 MP sensor was used in the ultra-wide camera (down from 12 MP). A 2 MP macro and a 2 MP depth sensor make up the final two modules on the rear. Interestingly, the 32-megapixel front camera was unaffected by the budget decrease.

    Like always, there is a punch hole in the Galaxy M53’s 6.7” Super AMOLED Plus display, which has Full HD+ resolution with a blazing 120 Hz refresh rate for a fine gaming experience.

    There’s no mention of toughened glass, yet the A73 lacks Gorilla, although the in-display fingerprint reader has been moved to the side and looks much better now.

    The phone has a 5,000 mAh battery with 25W fast charging, which is the same as the A73 and A53. Switching to the Dimensity chip has one disadvantage: Wi-Fi connectivity is limited to Wi-Fi 5 rather than 6. Bluetooth 5.2, on the other hand, is supported by 5.0.

    Read more: Tesla’s CEO Elon Musk to join Twitter board after investing $2.9 billion in the platform

    Tech enthusiasts are still waiting for the price and a list of launch territories for the Samsung Galaxy M53 5G, as it was a subdued debut. If the A-series launch follows the same trend, we may have to wait a few weeks to find out these details.

  • Twitter officially declares adding an edit button

    Twitter officially declares adding an edit button

    The legendary “edit button,” which Twitter users have been demanding for so long that it’s become a cliché, is finally becoming a real thing. Twitter has now officially declared that it is working on allowing users to modify tweets after they have been posted on the platform.

    The aim is to enable users to correct any mistakes or errors in a tweet without losing any existing replies, retweets, or favourites. Twitter said Tuesday that it will begin testing the capability with Twitter Blue subscribers in the coming months.

    https://twitter.com/TwitterComms/status/1511456430024364037?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1511457595181068294%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es3_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fbusiness-61003270

    In a post on Tuesday, Jay Sullivan, the company’s VP of consumer development, remarked that editing has been “the most requested Twitter feature for many years.” Since last year, the corporation has been studying how to implement the function “safely.”

    In the past, Twitter’s former CEO, Jack Dorsey, was hesitant to implement such a function.

    Back in 2018, Dorsey even expressed concerns during a discussion, that an edit button may allow users to modify the meaning of a tweet after it has been widely shared, and he claimed in 2020 that Twitter would probably never incorporate the option.

  • Instagram may introduce voice message replies for stories soon

    Instagram may introduce voice message replies for stories soon

    Instagram is reportedly working on a feature that would allow users to reply to stories with a picture or a voice message. This was signaled by the application developer, Alessandro Paluzzi, who further mentioned in his tweet that Instagram is also testing a feature that will allow users to share posts using a QR code.

    Paluzzi’s screenshots show the traditional message box where you may reply to users’ stories, with a twist, as one snapshot includes a GIF sign, while another has a mic icon in addition to the GIF button that was already available.

    Users will probably use these icons to respond to Instagram stories with an image or a voice message.

    The social media platform introduced a feature in February that allowed users to like other users’ stories without having to respond with a direct message.

    Until then, the only option to respond to a story was to send a direct message to the user through the text box at the bottom of the story (or using pre-set emojis, GIFS, or stickers, which were almost similar.

    Read more: Intel to launch world’s fastest 5.5 GHz CPU on April 5

    The rumored new picture reply function will complement existing capabilities and provide users with more options for creatively responding to stories. These features are also well-suited to Instagram’s long-term strategy.

    All of this may be included in the coming days as the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri, had already stated that the Meta-owned platform will be focusing on the videos, messaging as well as creators.

  • Intel to launch world’s fastest 5.5 GHz CPU on April 5

    The Core i9-12900KS processor from Intel which is also claimed as the “world’s fastest CPU” will be released on April 5, 2022. Expert PC builders will demonstrate their abilities by putting together a number of PCs, presumably around the new alder lake processor, at the Intel talking tech event, which will be streamed on Twitch.

    The ‘KS’ version of Intel’s flagship, which effectively features the high-end 12900K silicon capable of being pushed to higher clock speeds and can boost up to 5.5GHz, is advertised as the ‘world’s fastest desktop processor’.

    However, this speed can only be achieved for a short period of time on a single core, with the rumor mill claiming that the all-core boost will be 5.2GHz which again is really amazing.

    Given that we have already seen or heard of the forthcoming flagship advertised on some websites, it is no surprise that the introduction of Intel’s Core i9-12900KS is so close.

    As Intel claims that the 12900KS is the “world’s fastest” desktop CPU considering the clock speeds, what PC customers and heavy gamers really want to know is how well it works in real-world applications and high-end games.

    Keeping in view the overall hype, it does not seem like it is going to disappoint the PC builders or gamer’s community.

  • Emoji reactions for Whatsapp messages coming soon

    Emoji reactions for Whatsapp messages coming soon

    The Meta-owned Whatsapp is currently testing an ‘emoji react’ feature, initially in the Beta version for android devices. As per a credible resource, reaction Emojis have already started to appear in the Beta application for developers or users to test it.

    In the Beta version, holding a received message allows users to react with one of six Emojis which comprises: thumbs up, crying, laughter, love, shocked face, and folded hands as an alternative of saying ‘thanks’.

    It seems like the most popular messenger with billions of users will be rolling out the feature on Android phones in the first phase. However, there is no official date announced by Meta regarding its introduction but the testing pace says it all.

    The new feature will significantly enhance its usability, letting users immediately respond to messages instead of accessing the keyboard every time.

    Besides the ongoing testing for Android devices, there are signs that the emoji reactions are also on the way for iOS devices. A few months ago, the iOS Beta version was upgraded with a feature that consisted of a toggle to enable or disable reaction notifications.

    Previously a number of messaging and social media platforms have introduced emoji reactions including Instagram, Facebook Messenger, Google Messages, iMessage, and most surprisingly the Twitter DMs.

  • VIVO to launch its first-ever tablet by next month

    VIVO to launch its first-ever tablet by next month

    The smartphone maker ‘vivo’ has finally revealed that it is launching its first tablet in the next month. Two of its products including vivo X Note and vivo X Fold were already expected to launch in the coming days.

    A new feature offered in the upcoming tablet is that it will have stylus support, which will be the company’s first-ever pointing tool.

    The device itself will be equipped with an 8 MP front camera and dual cameras at the back with 13 MP and 8 MP modules, accompanied by a LED flash.

    It will be offered with a Bluetooth magnetic keyboard, however, it is hard to say if the company will include it in the box, as it seems like an additional accessory. The vivo pad comprises four speakers for an enhanced audio experience with two microphones on the top and right.

    Coming towards the operating system (OS), the pad is likely to use vivo’s Ocean OS, with the latest android underneath. Keeping in view the leaked renders, the pad is likely to have an 11-inch O-LED display with Dolby Vision for crisp and vibrant visuals, linked to Dolby Atmos for an excellent audio surround.

    As per many credible reports, the Pad will most probably launch within a month. Hopefully, we may get to know about all of its key features in the coming days or at vivo’s upcoming launch event.

  • Want to buy the new iPhone? Think again because the new Pakistan tax is shocking

    Want to buy the new iPhone? Think again because the new Pakistan tax is shocking

    If you are thinking of asking your relative or a friend to bring you iPhone 13 Pro Max 1TB from abroad, think again. The government has yet again increased taxes on luxury phones.

    Let’s suppose you buy the highest-end iPhone from abroad. The 1TB phone will cost you $1,730.92 which is 305,068.94 PKR, for the highest-end iPhone.

    If you will a buy a 128GB phone it will cost you $1,189.67 which is 208,571.16 PKR. Similarly, the price for a 256GB phone will be $1,297.92 which is 227,549.39 PKR.

    The price of a 512GB phone is 1514.42$ which is 265,505.84 PKR.

    A government source has informed The Current that phones from abroad are now being subjected to 17% sales tax instead of a fixed sales tax. The total tax will also include customs tax.

    Earlier, the fixed sales tax on the iPhone13 Pro max was Rs. 10,000 but if you now calculate a 17 per cent tax on 305,068.94 PKR in our case, the tax will be 51,861.7198. The customs tax is Rs 34,000 on the iPhone.

    If you now want to buy an iPhone 13 Pro max in Pakistan, the total tax will be 51,861.7198+34,000=85,861.17 for the 1TB Phone.

    If you have a passport on which you came back with the phone, it will cost you a little less, 51,861.7198+26,000=77,861.7198.

    Government sources while talking to The Current said, “If a person can afford a phone worth almost 300k, then he can pay 78k too. These phones have inelastic demands.”

    “Most smartphones sold in Pakistan (more than 80%) and mid category (between $150-200). 70% of these are now made in Pakistan and have very little tax on them. The ones in the range that are imported have a tax of around Rs 5-8k on them,” the source added.

  • Instagram harmful for teenage users, report reveals

    A report published in the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday has revealed that Instagram is harmful for teenage users. The report is based on Facebook studies over the past three years that examined how Instagram affects its young user base, with teenage girls being most notably harmed.

    As per the WSJ report, among teenagers who reported suicidal thoughts, about 6 per cent in the US and 13 per cent in the UK traced them back to Instagram. 

    The researchers noted that many of these problems are unique to Instagram because it focuses heavily on body and lifestyle, meaning “social comparison is worse on Instagram”. 

    “Thirty-two percent of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse,” the researchers reportedly wrote, as per CNBC.

    The research also found “teens blame Instagram for increases in the rate of anxiety and depression”, a reaction researchers described as “unprompted and consistent across all groups”.

  • Data of 115m Pakistani mobile users for sale on dark web

    Data of 115m Pakistani mobile users for sale on dark web

    A Pakistani cybersecurity company has come across data of 115 million Pakistani mobile phone users currently for sale on the dark web, a private media outlet reported.

    The asking price for this data is 300 Bitcoins (BTC), which is equivalent to 2.1 million USD. Cybercriminals is the company who is selling data, they’re also VIP members of the platform.

    Rewterz’s — Pakistani information security company — Threat Intelligence team has analyzed some of the samples from the telecom database up for sale on the notorious dark web. The data includes personal information of the users such as names, contact numbers, residential addresses, CNIC numbers, and NTN numbers.

    According to the report, these threat actors are financially motivated, who’re working in Pakistan. Moreover, organizations with outdated
    cyberinfrastructure are more vulnerable to these threats.

    The team further notes that it is unclear for now whether only single or more telecom companies have fallen victim to cybercriminals.

    According to the given sample’s visible results, the latest data is from 2014 and none of the latest number schemes (0317, 0308 etc) is mentioned.

    As yet, none of the telecom operators has notified their customers that their data has been compromised.