Page 783 – GadgetByte Nepal

Official: The Oppo F5 will launch on 26th October

GadgetByte

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October 11, 2017

Official: The Oppo F5 will launch on 26th October

The Oppo F5 will be Oppo’s first smartphone with a bezel-less display. We can confirm that through a bunch of leaks and Oppo’s official promo for the F5’s unveiling event. We can also confirm that the phone will look a lot like Samsung’s Galaxy S8.

The Oppo F5 will supposedly share a design language with OnePlus’s unreleased 5T or the One Plus 6. And both of them will look a lot similar to the S8 including the curved edges, but that’s more speculation than a fact.

Going by the things we know, this is going to another selfie-focused smartphone. The F5’s official promo also carries the “Capture the real you” tagline which gives a very clear hint. That means a single 20MP sensor on the back and two 16MP dual cameras set up at the front. The lonely back camera will be accompanied by a flashlight and a fingerprint sensor.

The display is the star of the show for Oppo F5 as it features an 18:9 aspect ratio screen. It’s going to be 6″ with either 1080p or a 2k panel. Other rumors include a 6GB RAM/64GB storage combo running on the Snapdragon 660 SoC and a 4,000 mAh battery.

The body of the phone will most probably feature a metallic finish with color options restricted to gold and rose gold. For now, the promotion is only restricted to the Philippines so the international availability is still uncertain.

Also Read: Oppo Mobiles Price in Nepal

OnePlus is collecting user’s private data and here’s how you can disable it

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GadgetByte

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October 11, 2017

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OnePlus is collecting user’s private data and here’s how you can disable it

OnePlus is somewhat a household name these days. The smartphone company is known for providing flagship devices for a budget price. With the motto of “Never Settle”, OnePlus has impressed its users with the devices in its arsenal. However, due to a lack of software support for its devices, the company came under huge criticism last year. That was again shunned by how the manufacturer cheated with the OnePlus 5 by manipulating benchmarks. This time OnePlus is back with another trouble as it looks like the company is collecting private data from their users without any permission.

This discovery was made by Chris Moore during a holiday hack challenge where he had used OWASP ZAP, a tool that can attack web applications. During the tests, he found an unfamiliar domain related to open.oneplus.net and decided to further investigate the matter He later discovered that this domain was collecting his private information related to his smartphone and sending it to Amazon Web Services, all without his knowledge and permission.

Here’s what the domain was circulating on Chris Moore’s OnePlus 2:

IMEI(s)
Mac Addresses
Phone numbers
Mobile networks names
Wireless network’s ESSID and BSSID
IMSI prefixes
OnePlus device’s serial number
Timestamp of when user locks and unlocks their device
Timestamp of when user opens and closes any application on their device
Timestamp when user turns his phone off and on

With these data, one can easily identify any user, and OnePlus is doing just that.

Chris Moore, in his article, says, “this kind of data collection, especially one containing information that can be directly tied back to me as an individual, should really be opt-in and/or have an easily accessible off switch.”

With series of tweets, Chris did report the issue to OnePlus Support but their response wasn’t encouraging.

Android Authority reached out to the company for comments and here’s how they responded:

” We securely transmit analytics in two different streams over HTTPS to an Amazon server. The first stream is usage analytics, which we collect in order for us to more precisely fine tune our software according to user behavior. This transmission of usage activity can be turned off by navigating to ‘Settings’ -> ‘Advanced’ -> ‘Join user experience program’. The second stream is device information, which we collect to provide better after-sales support. “

Another representative has claimed that the company is doing this in order to provide a better after-sales service to its customers. Does providing after-sales service justify collecting a user’s private data without their permission?

It is really concerning that OnePlus isn’t taking this issue seriously enough. The company is already one of the big hitters in the smartphone world and issues like collecting unauthorized data can surely blemish its reputation. But what can you expect from a company which makes fake promises just to glorify its image?

Fortunately for us, there is a way this issue can be dealt with. An Android developer has brought forward a solution to disable this unauthorized data collection without even rooting your OnePlus device. Here’s is what you need to do:

Install ADB on your computer. Click here for guide
After installing ADB and connecting it with your smartphone, open Command Prompt.
Type ADB Shell
Enter this command: pm uninstall -k –user 0 net.oneplus.odm
Success!

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 images with bigger display and dual camera leaked online

GadgetByte

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October 10, 2017

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 images with bigger display and dual camera leaked online

The leaks of the to-be-launched Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 that were leaked recently have revealed the bezel-less structure of the Note 5. The leaked images of the Note 5 have surfaced on the Chinese social media platform Weibo via MyFixGuide, according to which, Redmi Note 5 appears to have a 6-inch 18:9 display, making the phone significantly taller without increasing the actual size of the device. This has to be the first ever attempt of Xiaomi to change the looks of a mid-range release.

With an expected pricing of IRs. 14,999, the phone will come with dual rear cameras and a fingerprint scanner.

Moving on, let’s now go through the speculated specifications of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5. Along with images that have been leaked online, there have been other comments and speculations about the specifications of the Note 5. The phone is expected to have a 6.0-inch IPS display with Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. Also, the phone is set to have 16 MP + 5 MP dual camera setup at the back accompanied with a front facing camera of undisclosed MP. Moreover, the chipset choice of the phone will probably be a Snapdragon 660 or a MediaTek Helio P25. The phone is rumored to be powered by a 4000mAh battery.

Specifications of Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (Rumored):

Display: 6.0-inches IPS LCD, 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution
Processor: Octa Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 630 or MediaTek Helio P25, 1.4 GHz
Camera: Rear camera with 16 MP + 5 MP
RAM: 3/4 GB
Storage: 16/32 GB, microSD card in the second SIM slot up to 256GB.
USB: Type-C
SIM: Hybrid Dual Sim(nano+nano/microSD)
Connectivity: 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, WiFi Direct, hotspot, Bluetooth v5.0, A-GPS
Sensors: Fingerprint, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor
Battery: Probably a 4000 mAh
Operating System: Android OS, v7.1.1 (Nougat)

Don’t Miss: Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A hits Nepali market next week

We will bring you more on the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 once the official launch of the phone has been done. Stay tuned for more!

OnePlus 5T a possibility: Rumors suggest a trendy design

GadgetByte

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October 10, 2017

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OnePlus 5T a possibility: Rumors suggest a trendy design

This news comes with another news, two of the three variants of the older OP5 have sold out. The only version remaining in stock is the soft gold 6GB/64GB variant, so OP might release the OnePlus 5T. Not just that, but a sudden growth in competition could be another reason driving OP to upgrade their current flagship.

The current OP5 misses out on a few must have 2017 flagship features, most notably the bezel-less display. And speculations from GizmoChina hints at a new 6″ inch QHD (2,160 x 1,080) display with an 18:9 bezel-less design. So a hint of fresh air, as the older OP3 and 3T weren’t much of an upgrade looks wise.

Also Read: One Mobiles Price in Nepal

The SoC will remain the same with Qualcomm’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 835. The RAM and storage will also remain the same as well, which isn’t much of a topic to complain about. The website that reported this news does mention that the renders of OnePlus 5T look a lot like the unreleased OPPO F5. Not a surprise as Oppo and OnePlus shared a similar design language in the past between the OP5 and Oppo’s R11.

The battery on the OnePlus 5T could be bigger, seeing how the Oppo F5 is rumored to sport the huge 4000mAh battery. So the 3300mAh battery will most probably go up, also the bigger and higher resolution screen will surely need a battery upgrade.

Finally, the renders of the OnePlus 5T shows curved sides just like the Galaxy S8. So, however unlikely, the phone could sport a curved bezel-less screen. But we will have to wait and see which of these speculations pan out. GizmoChina says that the sources have proven reliable in the past, so take this news with a pinch of salt.

What are your thoughts on the endeavors of OnePlus for the bezel-less screen and 18:9 aspect ratio? Drop your thoughts in the comment section.

Windows Phone is dead – Microsoft confirms

GadgetByte

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October 10, 2017

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Windows Phone is dead – Microsoft confirms

Windows Phone was destined to die since the early beginning days of Androids and iPhone. They did share their good share of momentum, as well as a few dedicated fan following. We even thought that Windows Phone would finally pick up some pace when Microsoft bought Nokia’s smartphone division. But not much could fill the void of unsatisfactory app selection and a few other shortcomings.

Windows Phone has always had its own fan followings. The OS was also not that bad, with a smooth interface, regular updates, a clean UI and a bunch of features that their users loved. Microsoft even released one OS for all the platforms hoping for a better adoption rate. And the acquisition of Nokia and Lumia division wasn’t much less than a sold try from Microsoft’s point of view.

With the OS market share plummeting to less than 0.2% it was all but sure that Microsoft was going to take an action to kill their Windows Phone division. And they did, with a tweet from Joe Belfiore, VP of Microsoft OS confirmed Windows Phone OS’s death.

The tweet mentions clearly that no new features will make it’s way to the WP OS. Also, no new hardware will feature the Windows Phone OS either. He does mention that the platform will still get bug fixes and security updates, which we hope lasts as long as possible.

The biggest reason was clearly the fact that developers never backed up the platform. “We have tried very hard to incent app devs,” explains Belfiore. “Paid money.. wrote apps 4 them.. but volume of users is too low for most companies to invest.”

Even Bill Gates ditched Windows Phone for an Android, the Galaxy S8 if you were wondering. That’s also because, with the downfall of windows, Microsoft started to support Android OS a bunch of the Microsoft apps which enabled users to easily switch to the platform. YOu can basically find all of the apps from Microsoft available and well optimized for Android.

With Microsoft heavily invested in Android and iOS, the Windows Phone users won’t have much of a hard time adapting to other platforms. What do think of Windows Phone, did you ever use one, do let us know?

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A hits Nepali market next week

Pratima Adhikari

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October 9, 2017

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Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A hits Nepali market next week

Xiaomi, after introducing the much talked about Mi A1 in Nepal, has introduced yet another device in its league of Redmi devices- The Redmi Note 5A. The phone, according to Mi Nepal’s latest Facebook update, will be available in Nepal from the coming week.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A is powered with Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 quad-core processor and is packed with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage that can be further expanded up to 256 GB.

It has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 720 by 1280 pixels. The phone runs on Android 7.0 (Nougat) and backs you with 3080 mAh non- removable battery.

Taking about the cameras, the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A packs a 13 MP, f/2.2, fast focusing primary camera and 5 MP f/2.0, selfie shooter.

Apart from all these features, it encompasses a dedicated memory card slot, dual sim slots that support 4G network, sensors like compass Magnometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer and Ambient light sensor. And yes, it comes with Corning Gorilla Glass protection.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5A Specs in a Nutshell:

5.5-inch (1280 x 720 pixels) HD display

1.4GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 425 CPU with Adreno 308 GPU

2GB RAM with 16GB internal storage

Android 7.0 (Nougat) with MIUI 9

13MP rear camera with LED Flash, f/2.2 aperture, PDAF

5MP front-facing camera with f/2.0 aperture

3080mAh battery

Expected Price: Rs. 16,999

The price for this soon to come phone has not been revealed yet. Mi Nepal has today confirmed that the Redmi Note 5A is getting released in Nepal next week. However, we know that the price has not yet been confirmed but Mi Nepal has rather left the public to guess the price. One person, who guesses the price right, will get hold of the Mi Band 2. The winner of the contest will be selected with Random Name Selector tool.

Also Read: Xiaomi Mobiles Latest Price in Nepal

With new launches like the Xiaomi Note A5, Xiaomi has offered more mid-range choices to the consumers in the Nepali Market. To be sure of how the phone is and will it be worth the money asked for, we will have to wait for further news form Mi Nepal itself.

Blackberry Motion goes Official for $460

GadgetByte

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October 9, 2017

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Blackberry Motion goes Official for $460

The name Blackberry used to stand for secured and sophisticated. Although that has come to change with its downfall, thanks to Android. And now, Blackberry is once again trying to find some momentum in this saturated market filled with Androids and iPhones.

Also Read: VIVO could launch in Nepal next month

Blackberry took the Android route back in 2015, with the Blackberry Priv. That phone even featured their iconic physical keyboard we have known and loved. The new Blackberry Motion sport no physical keyboard of any sort.

The new Blackberry Motion stands at 5.5″ with a 1080p IPS LCD display. The Snapdragon 625 SoC isn’t much of a powerhouse but paired with the 4000mAh battery should deliver good battery life, at least on paper. And 4GB of RAM and 32GB of storage should provide sufficient room for a good user experience.

Also Read: iPhone 8 and 8 Plus batteries facing swelling issues

The camera department is handled by a 12MP f/2.0 sensor on the rear and an 8MP selfie camera on the front. It runs on a relatively new Android 7.1 Nougat with Blackberry’s own goodies on top. USB Type-C is responsible for the battery charging and data transfer with a headphone jack for audio transfers.

The BB Motion shows up with a good sturdy build just like any other Blackberry phone, although we expect nothing less from their phones. The pricing starts at $460 which is a little excessive but it’s just how Blackberry has always priced their smartphones. The phones will initially go for sale in countries like UAE and Saudi Arabia and will gradually make it’s way to some more countries.

Blackberry Motion Specs:

5.5″ Full HD IPS LCD display
Snapdragon 625 SoC
4GB of RAM
32GB of built-in storage
Android 7.1
4000mAh battery
12MP, f/2.0 rear camera
8MP Front-facing camera
IP67-certified dust and water protection
$460 (around Rs 50,000 estimated)

What do you feel about this newbie? Would you purchase the device if it comes to Nepal? Let us know in the comment section.

Weekly Poll – The iPhone X Design

GadgetByte

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October 9, 2017

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The iPhone X is the 10th iPhone from Apple and also their 10th-anniversary edition phone. So basically, a huge pressure for Apple to deliver the best in their 10-year history of making smartphones.

But with the removal of the iconic home button, and an overall new design. Safe to say, Apple took a big risk. So we wanted to know what our readers thought of the best phone that Apple claims to have made. Feel free to choose any two of the following options.

[socialpoll id=”2465495″]

Rumors: VIVO could launch in Nepal next month

GadgetByte

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October 9, 2017

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Rumors: VIVO could launch in Nepal next month

Another day and another smartphone manufacturer has fixed its sight in Nepal. This time it’s a much high profile mobile phone company as Vivo is all set to make its way here this November. We have yet to receive any information regarding the Vivo smartphones that will make their way into Nepal, but we know for sure that these smartphones will be targeting the selfie-loving Nepali people.

Everest Manakamana and Triveni Group are expected to be the authorized national distributors of Vivo smartphones in Nepal. Everest Manakaman is owned by Apex group who are also in the mobile business via Apex Digital Smartphone Chain Stores.

Apex Digital recently opened its 12th smart store at Dhangadhi recently. The company has opened its store all over Nepal, all while providing customers a ‘one stop shop’ for getting an on-hand experience of top smartphone brands available in Nepal.

Also Read: Everything you need to know about Apex Digital

Even though Apex Digital currently sells smartphones of brands such as Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo and Nokia among others, this is the only the second time the company itself is introducing a new mobile phone brand here in Nepal.

Vivo which recently launched the Vivo X20 and Vivo X20 Plus is deep-rooted in the Chinese and Indian smartphone market. It is slowly starting to crawl its way up the smartphone chain as consumers have liked how the company’s smartphones emphasize on providing users a great smartphone camera in a lower price tag.

Also Read: Vivo launches Vivo V7+

The recently launched Vivo X20 and Vivo X20 Plus have displays with 18:9 aspect ratio and a Super AMOLED panel to go along with it. These devices have dual rear-facing cameras and are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor. The Vivo X20 and Vivo X20 Plus are the Chinese manufacturer’s flagship for this year and carry a price tag of $454 and $530 respectively. We can, however, expect Vivo to launch Vivo V7+ and Vivo Y69.

It will be interesting to see how Apex Digital and Vivo present themselves in the Nepali smartphone market which currently translates to only a few manufacturers making great sales. Vivo’s fellow Chinese competitor, Oppo, has already started to impress Nepali customers albeit arriving a bit late to the party.

Also Read: Oppo Mobiles Price in Nepal

iPhone 8 and 8 Plus batteries facing swelling issues

GadgetByte

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October 9, 2017

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iPhone 8 and 8 Plus batteries facing swelling issues

The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus is arguably the two of the most disappointing iPhones for Apple in the 10-year history of iPhones. Not totally due to the fault of the iPhones itself, but the fact that a newer, better and much prettier iPhone X is just around the corner.

Nonetheless, reports show that the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are doing good as well, just not as good as the previous iPhones did. Although now, the iPhone duo faces another minor problem, the battery swelling issue.

Although just a handful of iPhones have faced this problem until now, we saw the same thing happen with Samsung’s Note 7 as well. The difference here is that the iPhones aren’t actually catching fire, they are basically just splitting open while charging or in some cases, they just came popped out of the box.

The reason for the iPhones splitting open is because of their batteries. They are basically swelling, forcing the housing of the phones to pop open. Although there were no signs of explosion or fire, good for Apple.

Even though this news comes from respectable sources like Reuters, CNET, the Verge and a few others, this doesn’t definitely show that the new iPhones have a problem. Rounding up all of the reports of 7 buyers from Japan, China, Taiwan, Canada, and Greece have come up until now.

iphone battery swelling 8 plus gadgetbyte nepal

This news should be taken with a huge grain of salt. And ignoring this isn’t much of an option either, as people choose to ignore the 6 or 7 note 7s that caught fire, and we all know the ending to that story. Apple themselves have made a statement saying they are “looking into” this matter.

Also read: iPhone 8 and 8 Plus price in Nepal

The iPhone 8 went on sale in 22 of September, so it’s still in the early days for Apple to fix something if any. Apple’s official statement was “We are aware and looking into it.” Also with the iPhone X nearing its release date, we remain optimistic for Apple.