Sharp Aquos R Compact Launched with 120Hz Display

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GadgetByte

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October 22, 2017

Sharp Aquos R Compact Launched with 120Hz Display

Display technology is evolving more than anything else in the smartphone space. We have been seeing edge to edge display and almost bezel-less displays for quite some time. But only cutting-off the bezels doesn’t seem to be the goal here. The recently launched Aquos R Compact sports a bezel-less display which also has the refresh rate of 120Hz.

Sharp is one of the first manufacturers to debut the concept of an edgeless display with the launch of Sharp Aquos Crystal back in 2014. And they also have been making phones with a 120Hz display for quite some time. Being limited in Japan only, sharp phones haven’t captured much attention of the international markets. The recent Aquos R Compact, however, resembles the trending phones right now like the Essential Phone and iPhone X with its notch for the camera. This notch seems to be the next big thing next to the edgeless panel.

The phone sounds cool with the edgeless panel but looks wise it’s not that welcoming. The side bezels seem huge compared to other phones and the bottom chin is just too big. Put this device in front of Mi Mix 2 or the Essential phone and it instantly looks clumsy. The notch holds an 8MP camera. On the back, it has 16.4MP Camera. The phone is powered by 14nm Snapdragon 660 processor clocked at 2.2GHz. It is equipped with 3GB of RAM and comes with 32GB of Internal Storage. The Sharp Aquos R Compact is running on Android 8.0 Oreo and is backed up by 2500mAh battery which is very low by today’s standard. On the bright side, it comes with Quick Charge 3.0.

What’s up with the 120Hz Refresh Rate?

The Sharp Aquos R Compact comes with a 4.9inch display. It doesn’t boast the new 18:9 standard, however. Most of our phones display is locked at 60Hz or lower and most of the apps also run within the same frame rate. Most of the processors today readily support higher refresh rate but for battery reasons and they are kept low. The higher refresh rate will ensure more smoothness while scrolling and zooming. But moreover, it will come in handy when you are viewing VR contents or AR contents which need faster refreshes to appear more real. Plus these are adaptive refresh rates, meaning, the phone will push higher refresh rate only when it’s needed. The same mechanism is also adopted by the newly launched iPad Pro. So, using higher refresh rate on smartphone displays right now is just an adoption of half-baked technology that is getting ready for the future.

Poll results: Vianet the most loved Internet Service Provider in Nepal

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October 22, 2017

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Poll results: Vianet the most loved Internet Service Provider in Nepal

Nepal has only a handful of ISPs. So, we had to ask our readers which ISP they preferred the most. The results were quite a surprise, to be honest. Among the seven options that included “Others” and “All of them suck”, I personally choose the last option.

Although, without much surprise, Vianet got the highest number of votes, a total of 345, accounting for 30%. Well, that did make it a winner of some sort. Users were also pretty expressive on the post’s Facebook comments as well.

The one that surprised us was the number of votes ClassicTech got. With 27% or 311 votes to its name, you could say it took the second spot. However, some people had a very strong opinion about this particular ISP on our Facebook post.

Worldlink accumulated about 200 or 18% of the votes, which was something we didn’t expect to see. Worldlink likes to boast about their total number of internet subscribers, but only handful of people applauded its quality on our Facebook post.

There was an option with a quote “All of them suck”, and this tab managed to accumulate 13% of the total votes. A not so shocking result in any way. It just goes to show that Nepali ISPs need to treat their customers more seriously.

Finally, standing with 8% of the votes was NTC, which had one of the smallest and one of the most satisfied customers on our list. NTC’s users are particularly happy about the consistent internet connection, however, slow it may be. Delivering on your quoted low speeds seems far better than falling short on your big promises.

The tab that comprised of ISPs like Subisu, Otel, Web surfer, Board link and all the rest of the ISPs of Nepal managed a mere 3%. And finally, Ncell accumulated 1% of the votes, which probably had something to do with their extremely high prices.

Feel free to take part in our next poll this Monday. And don’t forget to like our Facebook Page for all the latest in Tech.

Goatventure Game Review: Join a goat on its adventure to freedom

GadgetByte

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October 21, 2017

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Goatventure Game Review: Join a goat on its adventure to freedom

With the vision to create games based in the context of Nepal and take them further to a global scale, Sroth Code Games (SCG) has been doing its part for the past year or so. Initiated as a winter-camp programme, Sroth Code basically was just a team of 4 individuals who came together. Inspired by Nepali art, culture and Hindu mythology, the developers have come up with mobile games like Haku Run, Tap Tap Turn, Tile Swap and their latest offering is Goatventure.

Read More: Tap Tap Turn Game Review

Goatventure Gameplay

The protagonist of the game is a goat who runs past obstacles at times clearing them off the road and at times jumping over them. The controls of the game are also quite simple: you just need to tap to make the goat jump over or hit obstacles, while long presses allow you to make the goat high jump. Also, there are upgrades and special gifts available in the game that allow you to add special powers to the goat. Basically speaking, the game is all about making sure that the goat does not get caught by goons and that it does not hit any obstacles. As you run, you also need to collect through the course of the game which will allow you to extend and unlock various enchanting powers. Speaking of enchanting powers, there are magical power-ups available in the game, that either give you boosters and jetpacks or that evolve you into “SuperKhasi”, “BlackMetal Khasi” and other mystical beings.

Currently available only on Android, the game is free and has a similar concept of the developers’ earlier release: Haku Run, where the protagonist also had to run and collect coins.

Also Read: Haku Run: Game Review

Verdict

Honestly speaking, I did play the game more than a couple of times but all the while I felt like I was running in search of what I would enjoy in the game. Seeing the upgrades to the goat was a fun experience for me. And, as there were no indicators of when the upgrades would expire, I did lose more than a few games. There are also a few glitches and errors in the game, for instance: I had to download the game a few times to make it run, the music button does not function among others.

Being a vegetarian myself, I, however, did enjoy the idea of how a goat got the opportunity to hit humans and escape for life(No offense).

Give this game a try if not more and do let us know how you feel about it in the comments below!

World’s first 5G modem for smartphones

GadgetByte

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October 21, 2017

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Nepali market just got their hand on 4G this year. And Qualcomm is getting ready to launch 5G, speculating a 2019 release. That is pretty quick, but when have we ever seen the technology settle?

We have seen 5G on a few different occasions, including Sprint’s demo with Nokia a few years ago. But those demos where much feasible as of yet, which is why the Snapdragon X50 seems so interesting.

The X50 is capable of delivering gigabit speeds at 28GHz mmWave radio frequency band. They have even launched a reference device that is only 9mm thick, which is pretty thin for a product that still has 2 years to go for its official release. They are currently testing the power consumption, performance and the promised speeds of 5G.

Achieving the world’s first announced 5G data connection with the Snapdragon X50 5G modem chipset on 28GHz mmWave spectrum is truly a testament to Qualcomm Technologies’ leadership in 5G and extensive expertise in mobile connectivity

-Vice president of Qualcomm

The new processor will support downloads of up to 5 gigabits per second and will initially operate in the 28 GHz millimeter wave band. With these specifications, the 5G technology can replace the FTTH fixed connections, a huge target but a possibility nevertheless.

It is predicted that the new 5G technology will produce 22 million jobs. Not just that, they are also expecting it to produce around $12 trillion worth of goods and services by 2035. Here is what Qualcomm’s CEO had to say on 5G

You will see [5G] in real devices, on the shelf, in 2019.

The CEO, Steven Mollenkopf also added that network operators from US, Japan, South Korea have already begun preparing for 2019 launch with China soon to join. Trials will begin from 2018 in Japan with NTT DoCoMo. Following that will be the US, alongside Cisco, Samsung, Erricson, Intel, LG, and Nokia.

FYI: Back in February, Qualcomm announced it’s first successful 5G connection.

HMD Global launches mid-ranger Nokia 7 with Snapdragon 630 and glass back

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October 20, 2017

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HMD Global launches mid-ranger Nokia 7 with Snapdragon 630 and glass back

HMD Global, the home of Nokia smartphones, recently added a missing puzzle to its growing smartphone arsenal as the company recently launched a new smartphone. The Nokia 7 is a mid-range smartphone with a glass back – the first on any Nokia mobile phone.

Don’t Miss: Nokia Mobiles Price in Nepal

After the launch of the flagship Nokia 8, HMD Global has launched the Nokia 7 which features specifications a mid-ranger from 2017 has. Under the hood, the Nokia 7 has an Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 processor with a clock speed of 2.2 GHz. Assisting the processor in running the show is 4 or 6 GB of RAM, according to the desire of a buyer. The price tag of this smartphone has also been determined according to the variant of RAM it possesses.

In the optics department, HMD Global is advertising the Nokia 7’s “bothie” camera, which is just a glorified name for a mode that lets you take pictures from rear-facing and front-facing cameras at the same time and stitch them together. In terms of number, the device is embedded with a 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with Carl Zeiss optics, f/1.8 aperture and dual tone LED flash. The front-facing selfie shooter has an 8-megapixel lens with f/2.0 aperture.

As far as the display is concerned, the Nokia 7 comes with 5.2-inch full HD IPS LCD traditional display. This display is covered by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. In terms of software, the Nokia 7 runs on Android 7.1.1 Nougat right out of the box with Android Oreo already promised. The Nokia 7 also has an IP certification, albeit it’s only against splash and dust (IP54). The device is backed by a decent 3,000 mAh battery which can be charged up via a Type-C connector. So, this device is somewhat future proof.

Also Read: Nokia Launches its Flagship Nokia 8

The Nokia 7 is expected to hit stores on October 24, 2017, in China. According to HMD Global, the device will carry a price tag of CNY 2,499 ($377) for the 4 GB RAM variant, and CNY 2,699 ($407) for the 6 G variant.

Nepal launch: The Nokia 7 is expected to make its way into Nepal in early 2018. It will carry a price tag similar to that in the international market.

Nokia 7 Specifications:

5.2-inch full HD IPS LCD display, Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 SoC
2.2 GHz Octa-core processor
Android v7.1.1 Nougat, upgradable to Android v8.0 Oreo
Adreno 508 GPU
4 GB or 6 GB RAM
64GB internal storage, expandable up to 128GB with microSD
Dual Hybrid SIM
16 MP rear-facing camera with Carl Zeiss optics
5MP front-facing camera with f/2,0 aperture
Front-mounted fingerprint sensor
USB Type-C
3,000 mAh Li-ion battery with fast charging

[socialpoll id=”2467761″]

Hamro TV commenced in Nepal officially!

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Pratima Adhikari

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October 20, 2017

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After a long time of waiting, Hamro TV, a television and Internet service provider, has commenced its services in Nepal. The official inauguration of the program was done by Vice President Nanda Bahadur Pun.

With a promise to provide 4K ultra HD digital TV channels and internet service to its customers, Hamro TV has started its services from Monday, October 16, 2017. It is the first internet service provider that is providing 4K ultra HD services in Nepal.

Hamro TV, working in collaboration with various ISPs and television service providers, for now, gives 4K ultra HD cable TV and internet services to its consumers, but is soon going to start providing DTH service too.

Along with 4K Ultra HD television services, Hamro TV provides fiber to home internet services.

The company further envisions providing internet services that are 50% cheaper than what the cheapest internet service provider offers in Nepal on today’s date.

Currently, Hamro TV offers value to its consumers by providing them with 140 SD channels, 50 HD channels, and 3 4K ultra HD channels. With an aim to provide something extra for its consumers, the company asks for no installation charges. On top, it offers 50% discount in the monthly charges for its services for six months.

Hamro TV borrows its fiber and DTH equipment from the Chinese DTH equipment manufacturer, Gospell Digital Technology Co. Ltd. The company is known to specialize in the satellite TV equipment and provision of turnkey engineering services for Digital TV system.

The collaboration, thus, signifies that Nepal too is moving forward to provide global products.

“Communication and Information are pillars of a nation’s development and with the introduction of technologies as what Hamro TV is providing, it is certainly going to help Nepal climb the ladder and stand along with other nations of the world”, says Minister of Education, Sesh Nath Adhikari.

As of now, only 3 4K ultra HD channels are available. However, this is a leap forward and the company is soon expected to awe its customers with more ultra clear services.

Here’s the Most Affordable Way to Repair your broken iPhone Display in Nepal

GadgetByte

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October 20, 2017

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Here’s the Most Affordable Way to Repair your broken iPhone Display in Nepal

Despite all precautions we use, phones keep slipping out of the hands every so often. When an iPhone drops to the ground, it doesn’t just break phone’s screen but breaks owner’s heart too. Phones like iPhone aren’t just costly to buy but to repair as well. When an iPhone screen breaks or stops working, we spend a whole day visiting repair shops door-to-door to find out a repair shop that gets the thing done at the cheapest.

After the establishment of LCD Refurb Lab, replacing an iPhone’s screen has become much easier and cheaper as never before. As the name suggests, this screen replacement workshop not replaces the screen or glass but actually refurbishes them using the latest technology. And, the best thing is, the refurbished glass and LCD looks as good as the new one. It certainly is a great relief to have a place that repairs broken glass/LCD at the cheapest.

LCD Refurb Lab says it can refurbish broken glass/LCD of any iPhone starting from iPhone 5 to the latest iPhone 7 plus. It also claims to do these repairs at a much cheaper price as compared to that of other repair stores. In addition, in other repair stores, no matter if your iPhone’s glass is broken or LCD is broken, you have to change both as in spare parts these two come as one. In turn, you end up paying more. Whereas, in LCD Refurb Lab, you pay for replacing only glass or only LCD if any of them is broken.

Cost of iPhone Display at LCD Refurb Nepal

If you have an iPhone with broken LCD or glass or both then you might wanna consider taking a thorough look at LCD Refurb Lab’s service rate below:

Model Name	Glass Replacement	LCD Replacement
iPhone 5	2500	5500
iPhone 5c/5s	2500	5500
iPhone 6	3500	7500
iPhone 6 Plus	5000	9500
iPhone 6s	6000	11000
iPhone 6s Plus	7000	12500
iPhone 7	10000	16000
iPhone 7 Plus	12000	20000

Microsoft Surface Book 2 launched: A Portable Powerhouse for the creatives

GadgetByte

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October 18, 2017

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Microsoft Surface Book 2 launched: A Portable Powerhouse for the creatives

Microsoft has finally done it, they are one step away from perfection. The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is almost the best laptop you can buy if you set aside the price. With the new 8th Gen Intel CPUs and Nvidia’s GTX 10 series graphics, without compromising on thinness and portability.

The 13-inch version gets both the i5 and the i7 variants whereas the 15 inch will only be available in core i7. The graphics selection is only available in the i7 variants. The smaller 13 inch gets the GTX 1050 graphics whereas the bigger 15 inch gets the more powerful GTX 1060.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13 inches)

The 13-inch surface book has a 13-inch PixelSense™ Display with a resolution of 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI) resulting in a 3:2 aspect ratio. It has a thickness of 0.90 inches and weighs at around 1.5kg all packed inside a magnesium casing. Microsoft also claims a battery life of up to 17 hours of continuous video playback.

13 inch/Core i5

The 13 inch i5 (7th gen) is only available in one variant, that is without the dedicated graphics. This base model has 256GB of storage and 8GB of RAM, with Intel’s integrated graphics. This one costs $1,499.

13 inch/Core i7

The i7 variant features the dedicated GTX 1050 graphics power. It also gets the newer 8th gen Quad-Core i7-8650U CPU with storage options of up to 1TB of SSD and a maximum 16GB of RAM.

Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15 inches)

The Surface Book 2 15 inch has a 15-inch PixelSense™ Display with a resolution of 3240 x 2160 (260 PPI) with the same 3:2 aspect ratio. It is only available in the 8th gen Quad-Core i7-8650U variant with GTX 1060 as the only option. The storage option starts at 256GB and goes up to 1TB with a base and max 16GB of RAM. This one also has the Xbox wireless built in so more points for flexibility. The 15″ also shares the same 0.90-inch thickness as the 13″ and weights at around 1.9kg and a claimed battery life of 17 hours of video playback.

Both the laptops have rich connectivity options with 2 full sized USB 3.1, one USB-C, a 3.5mm audio jack and a full-sized card reader. Even though these are convertible laptops, they feature two cameras, one at the front (5MP) and one at the back (8MP). They also have a dual microphone setup and dual front-facing speakers.

It also has a really good selection of sensors including an Ambient light sensor, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, and Magnetometer. This makes it more of a productivity champ. It’s obviously detachable so you can use it as a tablet or a laptop or anything you feel like.

Microsoft has finally created a laptop for all the productivity junkies. The lower end variants will attract the content consumers whereas the higher end variants will be an easy choice for graphics-intensive users, not to mention the new surface pen. Finally a huge and very much needed improvement over the previous generation. If you want to pre-order any of these laptops click the link here (pre-orders start on November 9).

ZTE Axon M with Dual Foldable Display Launched

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GadgetByte

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October 18, 2017

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ZTE Axon M with Dual Foldable Display Launched

Innovation in smartphone space is moving at an alarming rate. Manufacturers are trying to incorporate the most unusual feature that might get mainstream. ZTE recently unveiled the latest phone in its arsenal, the ZTE Axon M. This is an unusual phone with a dual screen both on front and back, that might intrigue you with the way it looks and functions. So let’s discuss how much practical the phone really is.

ZTE Axon M comes with two screens both with almost similar dimensions. Both displays are of 5.2 inches boasting full HD resolution. Here’s nothing fancy like bezel-less display or the new 18:9 aspect ratio. The phone is powered by last year’s Snapdragon 821 Chipset coupled with 4GB of RAM. ZTE explains, because of the powerful processor and Android optimization they have been able to opt for dual displays.

The purpose of the dual display is purely usability. The display on the back can be brought up front by unfolding the hinge. When both the displays are up front it takes the form of 6.75 inches display, making it look almost like a tablet. ZTE provides four major options to make use of the Dual Display.

Uses of Dual Display on ZTE Axon M:

Dual Mode: Open two separate apps on both screens. Useful for multitasking.
Extended Mode: Use both screens as a single canvas. (Tablet Mode)
Mirror Mode: Project whatever is done in one screen to the next.
Normal Mode: Second display is off and folded back.

Dual Mode is something I’d like to call “true multitasking”. You can use two different apps side by side in full view to use it without any hassles. It is even possible to play two different videos on individual screen at the same time but the audio will work only on one. You can also run two instances of the same app using gestures to push from one screen to the next. I wonder if we can split screen apps on both of the displays to use four apps at the same time.

Extended Mode is something I’m really skeptical about. You can extend the screen to both of the display to get more screen real estate but the huge hinge in the middle looks just too disturbing for everyday use. It feels like your tablet has a giant line in the middle like when you damage your display.

Mirror Mode might be useful when you have to explain something to people sitting up front or just watch a video more conveniently on either side.

In Normal Mode, although both the displays incorporate Gorilla Glass 5, you have to be careful when you place the phone down as the second display will be facing towards the ground. It is very susceptible to scratches and damage.

One thing that’s bothering about the phone is that it is insanely thick at 12.1mm and weighs 230grams. Also carrying it in real life must feel really uncomfortable. The body holding the primary display is significantly thicker and heavy with all the ports and buttons. The phone comes with a single camera placed on top of the primary display. By default when you turn on the camera it will be facing towards you, to use it as a rear camera you have to flip the display to use the secondary display as camera’s viewfinder. In general, you have to keep track of which display you’re on which is again not convenient if you’re facing the phone on the wrong side.

Powering the ZTE Axon M is a 3,180 mAh battery which is a questionable size for a phone with the dual display but ZTE promises a full day of usage. It comes with fast charging 3.0 standard. The phone runs on Android 7.1.2 Nougat. ZTE Axon M, in general, feels like a one step backward in usability rather than a foot forward. This device will be available in the US from next month priced at $725.

7 Must have apps for all dog owners

GadgetByte

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October 18, 2017

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Dogs are always a delight. If you are a dog owner, you know exactly what I mean. They help us in different steps, whether it’s by cheering us or by keeping us safe.

So today, I’m writing this article hoping it helps dogs and their owners. This article consists of a list of applications that could be useful for you if you’re a dog owner. Please note that I have not arranged the list in any way. Oh, and happy Kukur Tihar!

iCam

Leaving your dog at home with no one to watch? Install iCam. This app basically streams your webcam’s content into your smartphone. So, you can see and even hear what your dog is up to. This app also supports other operating systems like Windows and Mac. The video quality is determined by the quality of your web cam. Simply saying, this app is like a baby monitoring app, and can be used for the same purpose too.

Download iCam for iOS Download iCam for Android

Dog Breeds

Want to know more about the breed of the dog you have been eyeing to buy? Dog Breeds will help you. This application helps you explore thousands of breeds of dogs. All information of this app is based on petsie.org. This app contains tons of HD pictures of dogs too.

Download Dog Breeds for Android

Pet First Aid – Red Cross

Just as the name suggests, the Pet First Aid is your smart vet app which provides veterinary suggestions and solution for your pooch. It answers your queries through texts and videos, and also helps you discover veterinary hospitals and pet-friendly hotels if needed.

Download Pet First Aid for Android Download Pet First Aid for iOS

iKibble

Having a problem feeding your dog? iKibble is here for the rescue. This app is basically about dogs and their nutrition. In the app, you can choose different vegetables, meat type, dairy product or any other food variety. The app then informs you about the nutritional importance of the selected food for the health of your pet.

Download iKibble for Android Download iKibble for iOS

ASPCA – Emergency Pet Safety

The ASPCA app helps you if something goes wrong with your dog. It has information on what to do in case of emergencies like accident and injuries. Besides this, the app helps you in making a digital flyer if your dog is lost. The flyer can be easily shared on any social media platform.

Download ASPCA for Android

PetCoach – Ask a vet for free

PetCoach is an important and useful app for all dog owners. Just like ASPCA and Pet First Aid, this app provides free veterinary suggestions. PetCoach is different from other applications in its category due to its prompt and real-time advice. So, if you have any queries regarding your canine, you can ask a certified vet, dog trainers, and nutritionists for free.

Download PetCoach for Android Download PetCoach for iOS

Dog Walk – Track your dogs!

The Dog Walk is like a fitness app for your dog. The app can track the daily walk of your dog by recording the way, duration, and distance of each walk. Dog walk even lets you capture pictures from your walk and share them.

Download Dog Walk for Android