Motorola Moto M is coming to India next, says company

Lenovo-owned Motorola has confirmed that the Moto M smartphone will be launching in India as well. The smartphone went on sale in China earlier this month, and press renders of the device were leaked ahead of its official launch. Motorola India’s Twitter handle tweeted saying, “Something different is coming your way. Stay tuned to know more,” with a picture of device all covered in gold. Given the level of bling in the photo, it’s safe to presume this is the Moto M, since it launched in a gold coloured variant in China.

Motorola Moto M is coming to India soon, confirmed the company in tweets.

Moto M features a a metal unibody design, with antenna bands on the top and bottom of the phone. Dimensions of the Moto M are 151.35 x 75.35 x 7.85 mm and it weighs 163g. The fingerprint scanner is on the back of the device, and it doesn’t have the square button like the one seen on the Moto Z, Moto Z Play smartphones.

Moto M has a 5.5 inch full HD Super AMOLED display at 401 ppi, runs the 64-bit MediaTek P15 octa-core processor clocked at 2.2GHz along with Mali T860 GPU. Moto M phone comes with 4GB LPDDR3 RAM and 32GB storage (supports microSD card slot of up to 128GB).

Check out Motorola India’s tweet below

Something different is coming your way. Stay tuned to know more. #ComingSoonpic.twitter.com/nmqT9p6FO5

— Moto India (@Moto_IND) November 28, 2016

The new Moto phone has a waterproof coating and is splash resistant. The rear camera on the Moto M is 16MP with f/2.0 aperture and 1um pixel size, along with PDAF and dual LED flash. The front camera is 8MP with 1.12um pixel size. This is a dual SIM smartphone and also has a 3.5 mm headphone jack.

Battery of Moto M is 3050mAh with fast charge support with type-C USB charging, and OTG support. The smartphone run Android Marshmallow 6.0. In terms of connectivity, Moto M has Bluetooth version 4.1 and WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4 GHz + 5 GHz band MIMO. It also has Dolby Atmos audio boost feature.

Motorola launched the phone in China at Yuan 1999 which is around Rs 19,990 on conversion, so the pricing will likely be around this range. Unlike last year’s Moto X Play which launched at under Rs 20,000 price band, the company doesn’t have any new offerings in this bracket for 2016. The Moto Z and Moto Z Play are firmly playing in the premium segment, so it is likely the Moto M will likely be the phone in the Rs 20,000 price bracket.

Source: http://bit.ly/2gXyowy

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WhatsApp is testing a Snapchat-inspired feature… again

WhatsApp  and Facebook aren’t done copying Snapchat.

According to a report by Mashable, Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is testing image-sharing features akin to those of Snapchat, or *cough* Instagram. The project, called ‘Status,’ was unearthed in recent beta releases of both the iOS and Android version of WhatsApp.WhatsApp  and Facebook aren’t done copying Snapchat.

According to a report by Mashable, Facebook-owned messaging platform WhatsApp is testing image-sharing features akin to those of Snapchat, or *cough* Instagram. The project, called ‘Status,’ was unearthed in recent beta releases of both the iOS and Android version of WhatsApp.

Status occupies a space in the tab menu between Chats and Calls and eventually you’ll be able to add your own captions and hand-written messages or doodles — much like Snapchat.

After losing millennials to platforms like Snapchat and Instagram for the last several years, Facebook has gone on the offensive. First, the company purchased Instagram for a cool $1 billion before turning its attention to Snapchat. Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel, however, turned down Facebook’s $3 billion cash offer for the platform and opted to instead continue building his empire. Snapchat today is worth an estimated $25 billion, with the third-largest social network overall and the largest presence amongst millennials and teens. It’s also headed for an IPO.

Facebook, on the other hand, is undergoing a bit of an identity crisis. It’s losing younger users by the truckload and shifting to a platform that’s mainly sharing of non-user-generated content. That is to say, people aren’t posting personal updates nearly as often — even with cool new tools like Facebook Live and 360-degree video. In fact, as we pointed out yesterday, Facebook Live is really becoming a bit of a shitstorm.

So, what’s a platform to do?

Steal, obviously. Besides, in the tech world, it’s never really stealing if you improve upon the original product. With Instagram’s ‘Stories’ that was arguably the case. With WhatsApp, however, it’s becoming clear that there are sour grapes to be picked after Facebook’s failed acquisition of Snapchat.

If you can’t acquire them, beat them at their own game, right?

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Best Android Launchers

Action Launcher 3

Action Launcher brings a ton of thoughtful features plus lots of additional tweaks that you expect from a custom launcher. Replace the traditional app drawer with a slide-in Quickdrawer, maximize on-screen real estate with Shutters and tweak the home screen search bar with the customizable Quickbar. Beyond that, Action Launcher also offers theming options, suggestions for app icon replacements and a beta feature to normalize icon sizes.

At the same time, Action Launcher regularly incorporates the latest design and features from Google's own launcher, meaning you don't have to loose that Google feel when you get all of these extra features. For example those using Action Launcher on Android 7.1 today can already access to new app shortcut features from the home screen.

The best features of Action Launcher 3 require a paid upgrade to the Plus version, but it's worth every penny.

Bottom line: If you're feeling bored with your phone's launcher and want a feature-packed replacement, Action Launcher has you covered.

One more thing: You don't have to pay for Action Launcher's Plus features, but you really should if you plan to use it full-time.

Source : https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actionlauncher.playstore

Google Now Launcher

If you want the clean, simple home screen 

experience just as Google intended, you'll want to use the Google Now Launcher. This is the launcher that's pre-installed on Nexus phones, and it's all about giving you a basic but extremely quick experience with access to your apps and widgets — and of course Google Now is just a single swipe away.

You don't get advanced options for extra gestures or themes, but some people prefer a simple layout and Google Now Launcher absolutely delivers in that respect. It's updated regularly by Google as well, though the future is uncertain with the Pixel phones now shipping with their own different launcher.

Bottom line: Use the Google Now launcher if you're looking for high stability and a consistent Android experience. Pair it with the Google Keyboard for the full experience.

SEE AT GOOGLE PLAY

One more thing: Things are a bit in flux right now in terms of the launcher on Nexuses versus Pixels — this launcher may soon take on a new look in the future.

Nova launcher 

SEE AT GOOGLE PLAY

Nova is a massively popular launcher that offers a whole bunch of animation options, folder views and home screen behaviors. One particularly cool addition is swipe actions, which allow app icons to act as a folder with a swipe, or a standard app launch with a tap, similar to Action Launcher's feature.

Theming Nova with custom icons and custom wallpapers is easy, especially with the Google Drive integration. You can back up your Nova layouts and themes directly to the cloud service of your choice, and restore backups directly from the cloud, too, which can make setting up a new phone a great deal easier than putting everything back how you like it manually.

Nova is a highly functional launcher that can be as subtle or as loud as you like, making it completely unique if you spend the time tweaking it.

Bottom line: If you're willing to tweak things a bit, and are going for an exact look, Nova Launcher could be the one for you.

One more thing: Consider the $4.99 in-app purchase to unlock its more advanced features with the "Prime" upgrade.

Conclusion

Home Screen launchers are heavily influenced by personal taste, and while not everyone wants the same things from their launcher the robust feature set of Action Launcher can be the best choice for most people. It offers great features, lots of customization choices and integrates the latest design guidelines from Google.

BEST 

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Best Celeb Halloween Costumes: From Katy Perry to Demi Lovato, Beyonce, Big Sean, Kylie Jenner & Tyga

FilmMagic/FilmMagic

Mariah Carey poses for photos at her Halloween Party on Oct. 22, 2016 in Los Angeles.

The best part of Halloween falling on a Monday is that you have the whole weekend before to dress up, possibly multiple times. Clearly celebs are just like us, because over the past few days they've been busting out their Hallow's Eve best, from Katy Perry's mic dropping Hillary Clinton to Beyoncé channeling Salt-N-Pepa and Enrique Iglesias just freaking us out.

Here are some of our favorites:

Beyoncé and fam pushed it real good as Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa (Jay Z also got in the throwback mood)

Meanwhile, Kelly Rowland channeled Dionne from Clueless

Lance Bass freestyled an Elphaba/Mr. Freeze mash-up

Kylie Jenner and Tyga got skeletal

Kylie doubled down with a Christina Aguilera "Dirrty"-era get-up as well

Katy Perry was definitely #WithHer as Hillary Clinton

Perry also channeled a 1950 school principal

Big Sean as a Storm Trooper

Halsey hosted a "Tarantino Nights" party and transformed herself into Uma Thurman's Kill Bill character.

The guys of The Chainsmokers and their girlfriends went all-out as Kiss.

Teyana Taylor killed it as Joanne the Scammer

Glee star Matthew Morrison and his wife Renee went as Joker and Harley Quinn

Diddy as Thor

Zara Larsson as "disco scar"

Mariah Carey was a sexy devil

Empire star Taraji P. Henson as a Donna Summer-like disco diva

Kelly Clarkson went method, with a Sia costume and performance of "Chandelier"

Demi Lovato and Nick Jonas went old school with a Dorothy/Scarecrow combo

Bette Midler got Hocus Pocus

Enrique Iglesias was just super freaky

Leona Lewis' "all gold everything"

And Zendaya just phoned it in with an edit because she was "way to lazy to do anything for Halloween"

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Moto M Complete Specifications Leaked Alongside Retail Packaging

The much leaked Moto M is highly anticipated and to add to that wait, fresh information about the smartphone has leaked on the Internet again. Last week, the frequently-leaked Moto M was seen in live images, revealing the fingerprint sensor at the back. Other specifications of the smartphone were leaked in September but now, a complete set of specifications is out and we now know most of the specifications.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Moto M was earlier leaked a week ago

• Its said to run Android 6.0 Marshmallow

• The smartphone is said to launch in December this year

As per a new leaked image of specifications, shared by The Android Soul, the Moto M is reported to run Android 6.0 Marshmallow out-of-the-box. It is also said to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor, coupled with either 3GB or 4GB of RAM. The smartphone is also reported to pack an Adreno 506 for graphics capabilities in it. The report adds that the Moto M will be launched in December.

Moto M is likely to have a 16-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel or 5-megapixel selfie snapper. The display details have not actually surfaced but the smartphone is reported to sport a 5.5-inch full-HD display, presumably an LCD. The Moto M is also likely to pack either 32GB or 64GB for its lower variant, whereas 128GB could be available in the top-notch model. Expandability via a microSD card is also reported to be there without any specific storage capacity. Notably, The Android Soul reports 4GB LPPDR4 RAM and 64GB storage variant will be launched in China, while the 3GB/4GB LPDDR3 RAM and 32GB storage variant will be made available in the rest of the world.

 The Moto M is also said to have Lenovo-configured 1.5W speakers with SMART amplifier. It should also have 2 microphones, one is audio receptor while the other is the noise canceling unit. A 3.5mm headphone jack is also reported to be present on the top the phone. A massive 5100mAh battery with rapid charging is also tipped.

While this new leak has spilled the beans on most of the specifications of the Moto M, we recommend users to take this news with a pinch of salt.

In the meanwhile, Techdroider, which has in the past provided several leaked images and renders of the Moto M smartphone, has leaked an image of the smartphone's retail packaging. The site's founder tweeted the retail packaging out, and, the Moto M name is clearly visible.

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The new MacBook Pro is here

Oh MacBook Pro, how we’ve missed you. It’s been four long years since Apple issued the last major overhaul to its high-end laptop line. Four years of waiting for some big announcement from the company, as laptop hinges loosen, trackpads go wonky, the screen laminent starts to lose its luster.

For those who have been holding out since 2012, the day, as expected, is finally here. Tim Cook took to the stage today at an intimate event at Apple’s home ship in Cupertino to show off what the company has been working on all this time.

On the 25th anniversary of the release of the company’s first notebook (the PowerBook), the company showed off the newly refreshed version of the Pro, featuring, as leaks suggested, a secondary display between the keyboard and screen.

Apple has christened it Touch Bar (sorry, Magic ToolBar fans), the mini Retina display that does away with the Mac’s row of function keys. The space is a small multitouch screen (with support for up to 10 fingers at once) that utilizes gestures and taps to perform a wide variety of tasks, from showing typing suggestions to displaying tools for various apps — all based on the context of what the user is doing at the time.

The company showed off a few of the different adaptive functionality sets — primarily tuned to the company’s own software offerings at the moment, though the company did offer a sneak peek of functionality with key partners like Adobe PhotoShop and Algoriddim’s djay Pro (with support for Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the way, as well). Click into photos and you get a slew of editing tools like cropping, photo straightening and alignment, and in video editing, you can use the space to scrub timing back and forward with a swipe.

 

This wouldn’t be a piece of Apple hardware without Siri built-in. There’s a button available by default that will bring you directly to the company’s friendly AI assistant. Oh, and unlike the iPhone’s headphone jack (there’s still one here, don’t worry), the function row isn’t completely dead. There’s a function button that brings all the keys back when you hold it down.

Users can also customize the bar by dragging and dropping functionality down from a Notification Center-like pane that pops up from the bottom of the screen. The bar also includes TouchID, which utilizes the new Apple T1 chip for security.

 

According to the company, it’s the thinnest and lightest version of the Pro to date, with the 13-inch version of the laptop measuring in at 14.9mm thick, making it 13 percent thinner than the Air. The 15-inch version of the notebook weighs in at four pounds and the smallest 13-inch version comes in at three pounds.

As for the rest of the hardware, Apple’s souped up that as well, after its prolonged break. The 15-inch version of the laptop features a 67 percent brighter display with 67 percent higher contrast and a color gamut that’s a quarter brighter than its predecessor. That’s coupled with some improved speakers for the system, as well.

Inside you’ll find Intel Core i5 and i7 chips cooled by a new thermal architecture that promises to be quieter and lessen system overheating — both issues found in previous versions of the laptop. According to the company, graphic performance has been improved, with speeds up to 130 percent faster than the last model (that’s the 15-inch again).

Outside, you’ll find four Thunderbolt 3 ports, all of which can be used to charge the system (so long, MagSafe). Using adapters, they can also double as USB, DisplayPort, VGA or HDMI — so, get ready to pack some extra cables. And if you really want to go crazy, you can use the 15-inch version to run two 5K displays side by side. And yes, the headphone jack is still there, no adapter required (for now).

The trackpad is now double the size of the latest version and includes the Force Touch feature included on the standard MacBook. The keyboard has been updated, as well, to include the “butterfly” keyboard switch mechanism also seen on the most recent MacBook (I wasn’t a huge fan when I used it, but like any new keyboard, it takes getting used to).

The new Pro is available for order now. It’s priced at $1,499 for the 13-inch version with standard function key version and $1,799 for the version with Touch Bar. $2,399, meanwhile, will get you the 15-inch version. The entry-level starts shipping today; the others will follow in two to three weeks.

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Microsoft announced at its Windows 10 event in one handy list

Let’s recap: Windows 10 Creators Update is focused on 3D content creation for the masses. High-end gaming, custom tournaments, and Dolby Atmos are coming to Xbox. The Surface Book is getting an update that’s gonna cost you. Oh, and there’s the new Surface Studio with a fun knob.

But seriously, this year’s Microsoft event was the most exciting and well-rounded in recent history. And in case you missed any of it, we’ve got you covered.

Windows 10

The connection is the name of the game for the latest Microsoft update. From connecting with other users in your life via its MyPeople taskbar app to an SMS Relay feature that allows you to view and reply to texts from your laptop, sharing content is the main focus.

3D visualization

One of Microsoft’s most exciting announcements is the upcoming Creators Update and its huge focus on 3D.

From the ability to scan real work objects to the new Remix3D community, now anyone can design in 3D.

Along with a new name, Paint 3D allows users to create 3D artworks using simple tools and brushes. You can also use your phone to create a full 3D model that you can easily manipulate and work with.

The new digital art app helps you isolate objects from photographs, so you can replace the background with another image.

You’ll also find new selection tools, including Doodle – which turns any 2D free-sketch into 3D – and pens enabled to work on any 3D object, so you can customize them.

The new Paint 3D app is all about inspiration, so they’ve created a Web community to match. Members of Remix 3D can share 3D models and find others to use in their own artwork. These models can also be printed with 3D printers.

A long-overdue Office update is also available, including 3D imaging and transitions in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint so you can present graphic elements from any angle you choose.

While there is currently a preview version available, only US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand residents.

Tethered no more

Microsoft seems to finally be getting serious about fully immersive virtual reality.

The company is currently working with Dell, HP, Lenovo, Asus, and Acer to release several standalone VR headsets – starting at $299.

The company also showed off a ‘HoloTour’ app, originally developed for HoloLens, which allows you to take Street View-like trips around the world.

The most beautiful game console

The Creators Update also set its sights on the Xbox One S with three new features gamers are sure to love.

With this update, Microsoft now makes esports and streaming super accessible. Windows 10 will let you broadcast gameplay live at the press of a button.

And with Arena on Xbox Live, players now have the opportunity to create custom tournaments and challenges against your friends.

Microsoft has also worked hard to bring Xbox gaming features to the desktop. With its Xbox Play Anywhere program, you can now buy a single game on Windows or Xbox and play it on either system.

The console’s lack of support for next-gen audio standards has always been an issue. This is no more as the company announced a free update adding Dolby Atmos playback via bitstream audio pass-through.

The most powerful Surface Book thus far

Microsoft announced a flurry of updates surrounding the Surface, but with one notable exception: a new Surface Pro tablet. Looks like you’ll have to wait a bit longer. However,  the all new Surface Book i7 – with its 13.5 million pixel display, twice the graphics power, a second fan, and 16 hours of battery life – should make up for the lack of a tablet.

The most exciting news revolving around the Surface is Microsoft’s unveiling of the Surface Studio – an all-in-one touchscreen badass.

It’s touted as having the thinnest LCD monitor to date with a 3:2 aspect ratio and over a billion colors. Additionally, the accompanying i7 processor includes 32GB RAM and not one, but two fans, all housed within an aluminum chassis with a single, unkinkable power chord.

It also comes with a studio HD camera for high-end video conferencing.

One slightly glossed-over feature was the Surface Dial – effectively a wireless knob that allows you to interact with various Microsoft devices.

Though the on-stage demo left much to be desired, the possibilities of such a device are endless.

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