Wednesday, December 20, 2017

The 5MP selfie cam on the Nokia 9 will actually be a dual camera

The 5MP selfie cam on the Nokia 9 will actually be a dual camera


We were a tad disappointed to find out that the will have . The disappointment at the resolution remains but it turns out that its a 5MP camera, which does make it look a little better. The FCC listed a Chicony CKACE16 module and going over to the manufacturers site, we see that it lists it as a dual camera (but shows an image of a single camera... were assuming that the photo shows the wrong model). The camera has autofocus (yay!) and an f/2.0 aperture for one of the modules, the other one has an f/2.4 lens. Its that f/2.0 module that is responsible for video 1080p. The limited spec sheet doesnt go into details what the other module does does it have a black & white sensor or a different field of view? These things should be cleared up early next year when HMD officially unveils the Nokia 9 (and perhaps a new Nokia 6 too).


Google will require that apps support Oreo features in 2018, 64-bit chipsets in 2019

Google will require that apps support Oreo features in 2018, 64-bit chipsets in 2019


Google has several forward-looking changes to Android planned, the effects of some will be felt soon while others will make a difference later. Starting in August 2018, new apps will be required to target Android 8.0 API. They can still support old versions of Android, but theyll have to play by the rules when running on Oreo and later. This makes some currently optional features mandatory like using Marshmallows runtime permissions. Additional requirements will improve user privacy while limiting the performance impact of ill-behaved apps. From November 2018, not just newly-added apps but also app updates will need to play nice with Oreo. And as the years go by, the target version will be advanced to prevent old apps from anchoring phones to the past. Also in 2019 (August specifically) apps will be required to support 64-bit chipsets. They can still run on 32-bit hardware, but this is in preparation for a 64-bit only future. Apple already made that switch with iOS 11, but Android supports a mind-boggling number of platforms so it needs more time. In 2018, the Google will help improve security by adding small bits of security metadata to apps downloaded from the Play Store. It will serve as a batch of authenticity and will enable new distribution opportunities for developers... whatever that means.


Facebook Messenger Lite crosses 100 million Play Store installs

Facebook Messenger Lite crosses 100 million Play Store installs


The Facebook Messenger Lite app for Android which was by the company back in October last year has hit a new milestone. Its Google Play listing now reveals it has scored over 100 million installs. The app was built with an aim to operate with as little resources as possible (especially data). So in line with the focus, it was made available in a handful of developing countries first, before . In October this year, the app in the US, UK, Canada, and Ireland.


Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 not coming, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus takes its place

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 not coming, Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus takes its place


Xiaomi launched the series , but some fans are still withholding purchases, waiting for the Redmi Note 5. Apparently, the expected successor of the highly popular Redmi Note 4 was already here but under a different name and there won't be another device. According to a Super moderator on the MIUI forum the is going to remain the company's only large-screened affordable option. According to user , Xiaomi is dropping the Note moniker as of this moment. Although this is not an official confirmation by the manufacturer, it is as close as it gets. The Redmi 5 Plus has Snapdragon 625 chipset with 3/4 GB RAM and 32/64 GB storage. The display has 18:9 ratio and a 5 MP selfie camera is keeping it company. The main sensor on the back is 12 MP, coupled with a dual-LED flash. The phone is currently only available in China for CNY999 or CNY1,299 ($150 or $195), but it should hit other markets any moment now.