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Samsung to finally adopt LG’s OLED panels for TVs, reports suggest

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Samsung to finally adopt LG’s OLED panels for TVs, reports suggest

When it comes to the TV industry, LG and Samsung, two of the biggest brands, have been following different paths. While LG has been pushing its high-quality OLED TV panels, Samsung ditched it altogether for its own QLED technology. However, multiple reports from South Korea claim that Samsung has inked a deal to buy OLED panels from LG. This could mean that the company is finally making the switch from LCD-based QLED to newer OLED-based panels.

QLED over OLED 

Samsung is among the biggest suppliers of OLED panels along with LG. Samsung’s OLED panels are known for their higher quality in the smartphone industry. However, the company has struggled to maintain the same level of quality when it comes to TVs. After all, the display technology is hard to scale up for bigger panels.

Even LG uses WOLED (White OLED) technology for TVs which is a bit different than the conventional RGB OLED used in smartphones. Samsung has repeatedly cited these scalability obstacles along with screen burn-in issues for choosing QLED over OLED.

Past efforts and the present deal

Though these latest reports may have come as a surprise to many, it is not the first time Samsung has been linked with external display manufacturers. Last year, rumors suggested that Samsung was turning to Chinese OLED manufacturers for its M-series device in a bid to cut down prices. Rumors even claimed that the Galaxy M41 was canceled in the final hour when the third-party panel failed the quality test.

LG OLED EVO TV 2021

According to the reports, the new deal means LG will supply 1 million OLED panels to Samsung in the second half of this year. Similarly, the supply will be increased to 4 million the following year. Since it has been reported by three different outlets, it looks like a done deal. However, Jong-Hee Han, Samsung display executive has denied the reports.

Why now is the best time for the switch?

This could mean that Samsung may finally be moving past the LCD technology. The company has been using quantum-dot panels in front of LCD panels for its TVs. In case you didn’t know, Samsung announced to shut down its LCD production by the end of 2020. However, the company revoked the decision citing that a lot of customers still relied on the company for LCD panels.

Recently, the price of LCD panels has grown significantly because of the global silicon shortage. This makes it a perfect time for Samsung to switch to alternative technologies.

The company has been experimenting with different other technologies including MicroLED, QD-OLED, and even QNED. The first commercial MicroLED TV from Samsung will debut this year. According to The Elec, the company has already started working on prototypes of TV based on QD-OLED. Reportedly, one of the prototypes was rejected back in January due to brightness issues.

On the other hand, LG recently opened a new production facility in China with plans to produce 60,000 OLED panels a month. This will take LG’s total production to 130,000 panels per month. LG’s annual TV production for this year is reported to be 8 million.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Samsung 55RU7100 TV. 

OnePlus Nord LE is a one of a kind phone that you literally can’t buy

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OnePlus Nord LE is a one of a kind phone that you literally can’t buy

OnePlus eventually made a comeback in the mid-range market with the OnePlus Nord last year, after a lot of customer demand. Now, the company has officially announced OnePlus Nord LE – a limited edition device. It is the same OnePlus Nord, but it is not your everyday smartphone that you can purchase. Let’s take a closer look at the OnePlus Nord LE.

OnePlus Nord LE Overview:

As stated above, the OnePlus Nord LE shares everything with the standard Nord to a T. OnePlus Nord was a low-cost luxury midrange option to last year’s 8 series. It has a 6.44-inch screen with a Fluid AMOLED display and a refresh rate of 90Hz. On the upper left, there is a pill-shaped punch-hole cutout for the dual selfie cameras. Furthermore, the front and back are shielded by Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

OnePlus Nord LE Design

The ‘LE’ in the name stands for Literally Only One Edition. It means there is, and will ever be only one, OnePlus Nord LE in the world. 

The device packs a decent processor in the form of a Snapdragon 765G. In addition, the unit includes 4115mAh cells with Warp Charge 30T support.

So, what’s new?

The new Nord LE differs in its colors and finish. It features a gradient back that seamlessly transitions from orange to green. Plus, it has a smooth finish, as opposed to the glossy finish you’ll find on the OnePlus Nord in Blue Marble or Gray Onyx.

How you can own it?

As the company mentioned in its statement, the Nord LE will be the only piece in the world. And what’s even more appealing is that you can have it for free! Yes, the company is giving away an OnePlus Nord LE absolutely for free. To win the device, you must complete some simple steps.

To be qualified to win the Nord LE, the first thing you need to do is follow the official OnePlus Nord Instagram account and then share a photo of your current smartphone on your Instagram feed. The caption should state the reason why you want to upgrade to OnePlus Nord. And, don’t forget to post it with the hashtag #SwitchToNord in your caption. 

We wish you good luck!

  • For more info and review of OnePlus Nord, check out our video. 

How to safely clean your TV: The do’s and don’ts

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How to safely clean your TV: The do’s and don’ts

A television screen gets dirty from time to time and we need to clean it. If you don’t maintain your TV on a regular basis, dust and fingerprints can appear on the frame. To resolve this, we will discuss how to properly and safely clean your TV screen.

How to safely clean your TV

What not to do?

Not all displays are created alike, and the amount of their sensitivity varies depending on the model. LCD, for example, is more vulnerable to scratches than a plasma panel’s glass surface. The “don’t” we’re talking about applies to every screen type.

  • Do not use glass cleaner or other chemically active household cleaning materials like Colin. These are good for windows and other hard surfaces, but they contain toxic chemicals such as ammonia and alcohol, which can damage a flat-screen after a long period of use. Their actual screen is coated with film, and long-term use of household cleaning products can cause damage to the panel.
  • Paper towels and facial tissues aren’t designed to be used on television screens. This may sound a little obnoxious, but keep in mind that these things are made of wood. After a long period of use, the product’s tiny fibers can scratch your monitor.
  • When cleaning the screen, the amount of force you use will have an impact on the panel. Heavy pressing on a TV screen will inflict damage to the screen as well as the internal components. Show your TV some love!

Ways not to use while cleaning TV how to clean

What to do?

A little care for your television screen shouldn’t be a daunting task. Regular cleaning of the panel helps to provide a better viewing experience. Without further ado, let’s jump for the measures as to how you should clean your TV.

  • Before cleaning your TV screen, make sure to turn it off and all of its components. Then, if necessary, allow it to cool down. Heat, static electricity, and all other forms of electricity are enemies of good screen cleaning. The dark screen will allow you to see the dirty spots more clearly and clean them more efficiently.
  • Use microfiber cloths and start with a dry wipe. Most of the dust and debris can be removed with a dry cloth, so wait until it’s absolutely necessary to use a wet cleaning solution.
  • Wet the fabric with pure water or an alcohol/ammonia-free film cleaner (like distilled water) if the residue is more difficult to remove. To stop swirling lines, use side-to-side or up-and-down motions, and go through the region again with a dry cloth to clear any remaining traces.
  • Finally, before plugging the TV back in, let it dry completely.

How to safely clean your TV: Conclusion

These are some of the easy steps which you may not be aware of. And as mentioned earlier, anyone with any type of screen should follow these steps to maintain the durability and reliability of their television.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Samsung 55″ RU7100 4K TV.

Google’s upcoming affordable Pixel Buds A leaked in an email push

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Google’s upcoming affordable Pixel Buds A leaked in an email push

Google is planning to offer affordable TWS with the new upcoming Pixel Buds A. The ‘A’ series addition in the buds lineup is said to copy the premium design of its predecessor with new colors. And, Google recently leaked an image of the new TWS via an email. So let’s dig in more to know in detail about the Google Pixel Buds A. 

Rumors Roundup

Google added promotional images of their Nest series devices to a new email sent to Google Nest customers. The Nest gadgets include the Pixel 5, Nest Hub Max, subscription shortcuts, and a pair of earbuds which seem to be very different in color from the Pixel Buds 2 that we saw last year.

Google Email shows Pixel Buds A

The core design of buds and their case, as previously rumored, is expected to remain unchanged. Buds A will provide touch control and quick access to the Google Assistant. The biggest difference that stands out here is the addition of new shades. Moreover, the TWS is said to have an all-white color scheme and a forest green color palette.

Likewise, the image shared in the email can be seen in green color which includes the interior of the case as well as the inner plastic. This confirms earlier speculation that the latest buds will be forest green in color. The early reveal comes after the FCC listing of new buds which shows the device dimension and model number. 

Google Pixel Buds A FCC Listing

As the FCC listing shows, the latest TWS is classified as a wireless device with a 3.7V power supply. The listing had already pointed at Google’s forthcoming TWS, and the recent speculation has helped to clarify the design overview.

Google Pixel Buds A Price and Availability

Google is likely to launch the Pixel Buds A on top of other devices at the I/O 2021 event to be held on May 18-20. As you’d expect, this year’s I/O event will be conducted virtually. We’ll learn more about these earbuds including their price and availability at the launch event.

  • Meanwhile, check out our comparison on Galaxy Buds Pro vs Apple Airpods Pro.

Fake Netflix app caught reading and replying to WhatsApp notifications

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Fake Netflix app caught reading and replying to WhatsApp notifications

Researchers have found a fake Netflix app guilty of phishing, stealing credentials, and other malicious activities. The malware made to look like Netflix on the Google Play Store was promising free subscriptions. Let’s learn more about the malicious activities of FlixOnline, the fake Netflix app.

Flixonline, the fake Netflix app

Check Point Research team discovered malware hidden inside FlixOnline. The app itself was disguised to look like Netflix. It cheated users by promising up to 2 months of premium Netflix subscription for free. However, once downloaded, the app used to monitor user’s WhatsApp activities.

FlixOnline on Google Play Store

Access to WhatsApp notifications

The app would ask for multiple permission during the initial startup, one of which was notification access. When permitted, it allowed the app to dig into your notifications and even carry out quick actions on your behalf.

It would hide all incoming notifications out of the user’s sight and then carry out quick actions like “dismiss”, “reply”, and whatever is compatible with that particular notification.

FlixOnline Premission requests

FlixOnline was found manipulating WhatsApp notifications. The app would even detect incoming messages and send automatic replies from the remote command and control (C&C) server. The message contained a link to download the fake app.

“2 Months of Netflix Premium Free at no cost For REASON OF QUARANTINE (CORONA VIRUS)* Get 2 Months of Netflix Premium Free anywhere in the world for 60 days. Get it now HERE https://bit[.]ly/3bDmzUw.”

So, if you have received any message recently like the one above from your WhatsApp contact, it’s because of a FlixOnline-infected device (the fake Netflix app). Such activity would allow the app to multiply.

Malicious activities of the fake Netflix app: Flixonline

Once all the permissions were granted, the app would hide all its icons from the device to avoid removal. It would still be in contact with the remote C&C server—the server used to provide updates to the app to carry out further activities.

And there’s much more to it. The app also requested overlay permission. Though there was no reported case of such an incident, the app was well capable of carrying out a phishing attempt. This could have been done by simply pushing a fake “Login” page on top of other apps.

Damage done

According to the researchers, the app had over 500 downloads on the Google Play Store in the span of 2 months. Google has removed the app from the Play Store upon being notified by the research team. Still, the app could remain hidden on the user’s device. If you still have the app on your phone, you should remove it immediately and change all your password.

How to be safe from such apps?

This recent incident is not something new. Hackers have been fooling people into installing malware by alluring them with free subscriptions to premium apps. When you receive such offers in your inbox, it might be tempting to click on them, especially when you receive them from a trusted contact. However, it’s important to know that hackers can manipulate one’s virtual identity to trick others into its trap. So double-check every incoming message and link even if it’s from the people you trust.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Galaxy A72.

Nokia releases six phones at once, including a new 5G lineup

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Nokia releases six phones at once, including a new 5G lineup

Nokia has revamped its smartphone lineup with six new devices under three different lineups. In this post, we will be talking about the new Nokia X, G, and C series devices in brief along with their expected price in Nepal.

Nokia X-series

Here, the Nokia X10 and X20 are the only devices among the new releases to support 5G connectivity. The company is also promising software and security updates for up to 3 years. Since these phones are debuting with Android 11, they will be getting support for up to Android 14. Both phones are pretty similar and differ mainly in the camera department.

Nokia X20 features a 64MP quad-camera setup with a 5MP ultrawide, a 2MP depth, and a 2MP macro sensor. As for the cheaper X10, Nokia has swapped the 64MP sensor for a 48MP lens instead. Similarly, the X20 has a 32MP front camera, while the X10 has an 8MP camera. You can use the front and the rear camera simultaneously on the X20.

Nokia has also removed chargers and headphones from the boxes of the phone, citing concerns over e-waste. The move seems quite odd as we have seen brands do it only on their flagship devices.

Nokia X20

Nokia X10 Nokia X20
Display 6.67” FHD+ Display
Processor Snapdragon 480
Memory 4/6GB RAM, 64/128GB storage 6/8GB RAM, 128GB storage
OS Android 11
Rear Cameras 48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP 64MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front Cameras 8MP 32MP
Connectivity 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
Battery 4470mAh, 18W charging

Nokia X10 and X20 Price in Nepal & Availability

Nokia X10 and X20 have been announced in Europe with price tags of €310 and €350 and will be available from June and May, respectively. If Nokia Nepal launches them here, we expect the price of Nokia X10 and X20 to be around NPR 38,000 and NPR 45,000, respectively.

Nokia X-series Price in Europe Price in Nepal (Expected)
X10 €310 NPR 38,000
X20 €350 NPR 45,000

Nokia G-series

As per the G-series phone, they are more focused on providing better battery life, with Nokia claiming up to three days of battery backup.

Nokia G20

There are two devices in the lineup – Nokia G10 and G20. They are powered by MediaTek’s Helio G25 and G35, respectively. You get Android 11 out-of-the-box, and Nokia has promised up to two years of software updates on these phones. You get a massive 5050mAh battery on both devices with support for 10W charging via a Type-C port.

Nokia G10 Nokia G20
Display 6.517” HD+ Display
Processor Helio G25 Helio G35
Memory 3/4GB RAM, 32/64GB storage 4GB RAM, 64/128GB storage
OS Android 11
Rear Cameras 13MP + 2MP + 2MP 48MP + 5MP + 2MP + 2MP
Front Cameras 8MP
Connectivity LTE, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0
Battery 5050mAh, 10W charging

Nokia G10 and G20 Price in Nepal & Availability

The price of the Nokia G20 in Nepal is NPR 19,999 for the 4/64GB variant. Nokia G10 is a cheaper offering with a price tag of NPR 16,999 for the same configuration.

Nokia G-series Price in Nepal
G10 (4/64GB) NPR 16,999
G20  (4/64GB) NPR 20,000

Nokia C-series

Finally, the new entries in Nokia’s C-series are targeted towards first-time smartphone users (as usual). They don’t boast a lot of power but could be a decent choice if you are looking for a durable phone with a clean UI. The latest entries on the lineup are C10 and C20. Both are powered by Unisoc processors and come with the Go Edition of Android 11. As with the G-series, Nokia assures two years of software updates on the C series.

Nokia C10

Though the two devices pack almost similar specs, the C20 is a more premium option with an octa-core processor, LTE support, and FM radio feature.

Nokia C10 Nokia C20
Display 6.517” HD+ Display
Processor Quad-core, 1.3GHz Octa-core, 1.6GHz
Memory 1/16, 1/32, 2/16GB 1/16GB, 2/32GB
OS Android 11 (Go Edition)
Rear Cameras 5MP
Front Cameras 5MP
Connectivity Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2 LTE, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2
Battery 3000mAh, 5W charging

Nokia C10 and C20 Price in Nepal & Availability

The price of the Nokia C20 in Nepal is NPR 10,999 for the 2/32GB variant. Nokia C10 is not yet available in Nepal, but when it does we expect its price to be NPR 9,000.

Nokia C-series Price in Nepal
C10 NPR 9,000 (Expected)
C20  (2/32GB) NPR 10,999
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Nokia 3.4.

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 brings dual-fan cooling and a radical design

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Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 brings dual-fan cooling and a radical design

Lenovo has announced its new gaming smartphone for the global market. The device is specifically designed for people who are keenly interested in mobile gaming. In this post, we will be taking a look at all the specs, features of the Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 along with its price and availability.

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 Overview:

Design and Display

Here, Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 is the second smartphone under Lenovo’s Legion branding and a successor to last year’s Legion Duel (Legion Pro in China). The device features a large 6.92-inches FHD+ 8-bit HDR AMOLED panel with the screen refresh rate clocked at 144Hz. Moreover, the device also offers a 720Hz touch sampling rate which is among the highest in the industry. It has 800 nits of brightness (1300 nits peak), HDR 10+ certification, and 111.1% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage.

The handset has debuted with a Samsung E4 panel and sports a resolution of 2460 x 1080 pixels. For display protection, the panel uses Corning’s Gorilla Glass 5 on the front.

Talking about the design, the Lenovo Legion Duel 2 is meant to be used in landscape mode. For easy touch responses, the device uses four ultrasonic shoulder keys (R1, R2, L2, L1) on the right frame, two capacitive keys (L3 and R3) on the back, and two display force-touch.

Performance and Cooling

Powering the device is the Snapdragon 888 chipset. On software, it boots on Android 11 based on Lenovo’s ZUI 12.5. It features a dual front-facing speaker for a more immersive sound experience with support for Dolby Audio. For more power, the device is coupled with up to 18GB of LDDDR5 RAM and up to 512GB UFS 3.1 storage. Lenovo Legion Duel 2 Pro will be available in three memory configurations – 12/256GB, 16/256GB, and 18/512GB.

Legion Phone Duel 2 - Performance

Plus, heat dissipation here is better than ever. It uses an active built-in Twin Turbo-Fan cooling system to keep everything cooler even after a long period of gameplay. One of the fans is prominently visible on the phone’s back while another one is hidden inside. Concerning the hand rest position of gamers, the balanced ATA 2.0 dual design allows the CPU to be placed in the middle, keeping gamers’ hands away from excessive heat. With this, it becomes the first smartphone to feature a dual fan setup.

Camera

One of the most unique designs in Lenovo Legion Duel 2 is its camera placement. Intended for a streaming setup, its 44MP selfie shooter is housed in a pop-up mechanism on the right frame next to the central camera, fan bump at the back. You’ll find its rear cameras here as well. There is a 64MP OmniVision flagship OV64A image sensor with f/1.9 aperture and a 16MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens with a 123° field of view. The camera at the back supports digital zoom up to 10x and includes a dedicated Super night mode as well.

Rest of the specs

Built for gamers, it utilizes a total of 5500mAh battery, where each 2750mAh cell is positioned on either side of the phone with a centrally placed hardware bump. For charging, there are two USB ports that support a total of 90W of input and can fully charge the device in 30 minutes.

Legion Phone Duel 2 - Charging

Furthermore, there is a 7-magnet stereo speaker with a dual smart amplifier for a louder, deeper, and less distorted sound. The four microphones allow a better noise reduction and provide better streaming quality even in a busy, noisy environment. The new dual X-axis haptic (HapticX) vibration linear motors enable incredibly precise tactile feedback.

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 Specifications:

  • Display: 6.92-inch AMOLED, 144Hz refresh rate, 111.1% P3 DCI-P3 color, 720Hz touch sampling rate
  • Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 (5nm)
  • RAM: 12/16/18GB LPPDDR5 RAM
  • Storage: 128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storage
  • OS: ZUI 12.5 based on Android 11
  • Rear Camera: 64MP OmniVision® flagship OV64A image sensor, f/1.9 aperture, 16 MP ultra-wide lens with f/2.2 aperture, and 123° field of view
  • Audio: Dual front-facing speakers and Dolby Atmos,
  • Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi b/n/ac/ax (2.4GHz, 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.0, Type-C
  • Battery: 5500mAh (2750mAh x 2), 65W quick charging; Turbo Charging up to 90W quick charging (sold separately)
  • Others: Octa-Trigger in a ‘console controller like’ array with Quad Ultrasonic Shoulder keys, Dual pressure touch buttons, Dual Capacitance keys input

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 Price and Availability

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 starts at €799 for the base 12/256GB model and goes up to €1099 for the 18/512GB variant. The phone is unlikely to launch in Nepal but we can expect the starting price of Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 to be around NPR 130,000 if it’s available via unofficial channels.

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel 2 Price in Europe Price in Nepal (Converted)
12/256GB €799  NPR 130,000
16/256GB €999  NPR 141,000
18/512GB €1099  NPR 155,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Redmi Note 10.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 camera launched with a vintage design

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 camera launched with a vintage design

Fujifilm, a Japanese camera manufacturer, has announced the release of the Instax Mini 40 Camera and the Instax Mini Contact Sheet. The company hopes that with this latest release, it will be able to replicate the classic nature and feel of its first-generation camera. So, let’s take a closer look at the Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 including its expected price in Nepal.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Overview:

Design and Display

The Mini 40 has a retro style with silver stitching and faux black leather that gives it an exquisite overall look. Fujifilm hopes that the Instax Mini 40 will rekindle the feel of film cameras before the advent of digital cameras. According to Fujifilm, it is a lightweight device that can fit in the palm of the hand and would cater to instant photo enthusiasts. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Design

The textured leathery material improves grip. When empty, the camera weighs 0.33 kg, and when loaded with batteries and films, it weighs 0.51 kg.

Lens and Exposure

Instax Mini 40, like the Mini 11, has a 35mm equivalent F1.27 lens. Pushing the large silver button under the lens compartment activates the lens and turns on the camera. To activate the selfie mode, take the lens’s outermost portion out about half an inch more. When you’re done, simply put the lens back into the camera to turn it off. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 lens

Mini 40 is fully automatic, with a flash that is always triggered with any shutter press. It has a shooting range of 0.3m and beyond.

Images and Mirror

When you press the shutter button, the Instax Mini film sheet will roll out to a mechanical hum. “Contact Sheet,” like all Instax film, will be available with 10 exposures per cartridge. As previously said, the selfie mode is accessed by pushing the front of the lens outward. It makes taking selfies and close-up photos simpler. The Mini 40 also has a small mirror on the front of the lens to help with selfie framing. The camera is powered by two AA Alkaline batteries.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Specifications:

Dimensions & Weight 104 mm x 121 mm x 65 mm, 330g (without batteries, strap, and film pack)
Film FUJIFILM Instax mini instant film (sold separately)
Lens 2 components, 2 elements, f = 60 mm, 1:12.7
Viewfinder Real Image finder, 0.37x, with target spot
Shooting Range 0.3m – ∞
Selfie Mode (0.3 m – 0.5 m)
Shutter Release Programmed electronic shutter release, 1/2 to – 1/250 sec. Slow synchro for low light
Exposure Control Automatic, Lv 5.0 – 14.5, (ISO 800)
Film Ejection Automatic
Flash Constant firing flash (automatic light adjustment), Charging time: 6.5 sec or less (when using new batteries), Effective flash range: 0.3 – 2.7m
Auto Power-off time After 5 minutes
Power Supply Two AA-size alkaline batteries (LR6)
Capacity: Approximately 10 Instax mini film packs of 10 exposures each
Others Includes film counter and film pack confirmation window

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Price in Nepal and Availability

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 has a price tag of $99.99 and will be available from the end of April. Each pack of Contact Sheet film comes with 10 exposures and is available for $15. If it were to launch here, we expect the price of the Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 in Nepal to be around NPR 15,000.

Camera Price in the US Price in Nepal (Expected)
Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 $99.99 NPR 15,000
  • Meanwhile, check out our review of Insta360 One R.

Microsoft turns to “boiling liquid” for its overheating servers

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Microsoft turns to “boiling liquid” for its overheating servers

If you have a company as big as Microsoft, you need to have an efficient way of storing and retrieving data from data centers. Running the world’s second-largest cloud platform further adds to the complication. The challenge here is to keep servers from heating up. One way to keep it in check is to use liquid cooling. Microsoft seems to have taken the term too seriously as it has placed its servers inside boiling liquid to cool them off. Don’t believe me? Keep reading to learn more about the new two-phase immersion cooling technology from Microsoft.

Microsoft Two-Phase Immersion Cooling Technology

The idea of dipping servers in a pool of boiling liquid may sound like a crazy one but it should not come as a surprise given what Microsoft is experimenting with its datacenters right now. For starters, it has previously tried to deploy datacenters inside the sea within a submarine-like tube. The latest effort takes it up a notch by replacing the nitrogen air with an engineered fluid and the tube with a tank.

The Fluid

For this new type of cooling technology, Microsoft has taken a couch-shaped tank and filled it with a special type of fluid. Unlike water, the fluid used here is not a conductor and hence causes no harm to the electronics. The fluid boils faster than liquid has its boiling point is lower at 122˚ Fahrenheit.

The two-phase liquid immersion is based on 3M liquid cooling technology. 3M recommends using Hydrofluoroether-based fluid and we assume it is the same one used here. The liquid has dielectric properties that make it suitable for use in the system.

How does it work?

The fluid soaks heat from the computer servers at work. Here, the lower boiling point of the fluid doesn’t allow the server to work at a higher level. The vapor rises up the tank and interacts with the condenser on the tank lid. It condenses the fluid which rains back on the back onto the servers. And the cycle repeats for continuous cooling.

Boiling fluid in two phase immersion cooling tank

Potentials

This two-phase immersion cooling technology from Microsoft is more effective than air cooling as the heat is transferred directly from the surface of the servers. Also, heat transfers faster in liquid than in air because of higher density.

It also has an upper hand over the present-day liquid cooling technology. Microsoft says it took inspiration from crypto miners and experimented with the latter. Microsoft recorded 5% to 15% cooler performance. The result motivated the company to dig deeper into the technology and hence the two-phase liquid cooling was born.

The new technology protects the servers from the risks of overheating thus, promoting the culture of overclocking. Eventually, Microsoft plans to use special software to overclock these servers during peak hours of operation.

  • Meanwhile, check out our review of the Redmi Note 10 Pro Max.

Oppo’s New Year offer brings free TWS on purchase of smartphones

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Oppo’s New Year offer brings free TWS on purchase of smartphones

With the new year approaching in few days, brands have started to launch interesting offers for their consumers. Similarly, Oppo has come up with an exciting scheme under the “Naya Barsha 2078 Ko Offer” for its users. Here, we’ll go over the Oppo new year’s offer in detail.

Oppo “Naya Barsha 2078 Ko Offer”

With this, you’ll get Enco W11 TWS earbuds for free on the purchase of Oppo F17 Pro and Oppo F19 Pro. Moreover, Oppo A12 is now available at a discounted price of NPR 14,990. The device was formerly available for NPR 18,590. So, let’s dig in for a short overview of all these devices. 

Oppo F19 Pro

Oppo F19 Pro features a 6.43-inch Super AMOLED panel with an FHD+ resolution of 2400 x 1080 pixels. Although the device doesn’t have support for a high refresh rate, it can be enjoyed at a 135Hz touch sampling rate and 180Hz touch rate in Game mode. 

oppo F19 pro display

The device is available in two color variants: Crystal Silver and Fluid Black. Furthermore, it packs the Mediatek Helio P95 chipset coupled with 8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage. The price of the Oppo F19 Pro in Nepal is NPR 44,990 for the 8/128GB variant.

Oppo F17 Pro

Oppo F17 Pro is a standout device due to its design. At first instance, I am surprised to see how Oppo has managed to keep its thickness at 7.48mm and 165grams. While saying that, the company has used a polycarbonate body alongside plastic frames to keep it lightweight. 

OPPO F17 Pro - Design [1]

Moving on to the display, the Oppo F17 Pro sports a 6.43” FHD+ AMOLED panel refreshing at the regular 60Hz, with a dual-punch-hole cutout for the selfie cameras. Powering this device is the same Helio P95 SoC. It is available on an 8+128GB memory configuration which costs NPR 43,990.

Oppo A12

Here, the Oppo A12 looks like any other budget smartphone in the market. It comes with a 6.22-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 720 x 1520 pixels and an aspect ratio of 19:9. 

Oppo A12 design price specs availability launch

Under the hood, it is powered by MediaTek Helio P35, which offers decent performance for normal usage. For memory, it is available in 3GB or 4GB of RAM which is coupled with 32GB and 64GB of storage respectively. The dual-camera setup at the back houses 13MP primary sensor and a portrait lens. On the front, there is a 5MP selfie camera. The 3+32GB variant is available at a discounted price of NPR 14,990, during the offer. 

OPPO Enco W11

Oppo’s Enco W11 looks somewhat inspired by the Samsung Galaxy Buds lineup. Each pair of buds only weighs 4.4g. The charging case is also light at just 35.5g. It features an 8mm dynamic driver which features titanium-plated composite diaphragms.  

Enco W11 - Design [2]

For connectivity, Oppo Enco W11 transmits data over Bluetooth v5.0, which ensures seamless connectivity. It features touch control with a pretty good response. In Nepal, the buds are priced at NPR 3,990.

Oppo Naya Barsha 2078 Ko Offer Validity

As I mentioned earlier, with the purchase of Oppo F19 Pro and F17 Pro the company will sponsor the Enco W11 TWS earbuds absolutely for free. Also, two winners will be selected each week from all Oppo products buyers who can win some exciting gifts as well. It includes Enco W11, Bluetooth speaker, Oppo Ollie Doll, and Oppo F19 Pro t-shirt. This scheme will be in effect from 3rd April to 18th April 2021.

Device Price in Nepal New Year Offer
Oppo F19 Pro NPR 44,990 Free Enco W11
Oppo F17 Pro NPR 43,990
Oppo A12 NPR 18,590 NPR 14,990
  • Check out our unboxing and impressions of the Oppo F19 Pro.
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