OnePlus Band teased on Amazon, launch date, price in India leaked ahead of launch

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• OnePlus Band has been teased ahead of launch.
• OnePlus Band is tipped for January 11 launch.
• The OnePlus Band could be priced at Rs 2,499.

OnePlus looks all set to launch its first wearable, the OnePlus Band, later this month. The rumoured fitness tracker has been tipped to first launch in India and then make way to markets across the world. Ahead of its launch, information about the OnePlus Band has been shared by tipster Ishan Agarwal on Twitter where he has revealed the date, price and other features of the device.

Agarwal has claimed that the OnePlus Band will launch in India on January 11, and the fitness Band will be launched in India at a price of Rs 2,499 which will enable it to take on Xiaomi and other device makers.

Additionally, the OnePlus Band has also been listed on Amazon, where it has been revealed that the fitness wearable will be an exclusive to the e-commerce portal and as such will be going on sale on Amazon. To create hype for the device, the phone maker has also set-up a dedicated microsite for the product which reveals that the fitness band will come with sleep tracking, real-time heart rate tracking, and water resistance.

As far as the features of the band are concerned, it is suggested that it will come with sleep tracking, real-time heart rate monitoring, and water resistance. Additionally, the OnePlus Band will also come with blood saturation monitoring features. All of this will be accessed through a 1.1-inch touch display, and the band will be kept alive using a battery that offers a 14-day battery life, and 13 exercise modes including Outdoor Run, Cycling, Cricket, Pool Swim, Yoga, and more.

Earlier, OnePlus Band's existence was also tipped by Android Central. In its report, the publication had claimed that the fitness tracker will be called the OnePlus Band and that it will precede the smartwatch that the company plans to launch in the coming months. The OnePlus Band is expected to serve as a competitor to the Xiaomi Mi Band series which is one of the most popular products in the segment.

As per the report, OnePlus Band will come with an affordable price of around $40 and in exchange bring with itself an OLED display, water resistance, and multi-day battery life as well as support for tracking basic fitness stats.

Dell launches PCs, laptops targeted at users working from home

Laptop maker Dell has launched a line up of desktops and laptops

 to suit professionals working from home.

The 5G-enabled ‘Latitude 9420’ comes with a built-in speakerphone 

and camera enhancements that provide automatic light correction

 and background blur for video calls.

It is said to be the world’s first personal computer that uses Intel’s 

Visual Sensing technology to offer auto-wake and lock features,

 according to a company statement.

The announcements come ahead of CES 2021, a tech event scheduled 

to be held virtually next week.

The ‘Latitude 7520’ comes with a 15-inch screen and offers a 

4K ultra-high definition display and full high definition camera.

The Latitude line of PCs also include an automatic webcam shutter 

that knows when to open or close the camera by syncing 

with webcam applications.

The Texas-based technology firm is said to have launched the world’s 

first 40-inch ultrawide 5K2K monitor called Dell UltraSharp 40 

Curved WUHD Monitor. The new line of PCs also reduce low blue 

light for users constantly in front of screens, Dell said.

The Dell 34 Curved Video Conferencing Monitors are specially 

designed for video-conferencing and certified by Microsoft Teams. 

They also offer facial recognition and hands-free commands for convenience.

What is Mini-LED display tech and why is everyone talking about it?

 Mini LED screens typically use LEDs that are smaller than 2mm in size. (Image credit: TCL)

CES 2021 hasn’t even officially begun, but we already know one tech trend that will dominate the tech conference. No, it isn’t 5G or self-driving tech but mini-LED displays that will be seen across swanky TVs this year. LG to TCL, every major television manufacturer has plans to show off new TVs with a mini-LED display at this year’s all-digital CES. While many see mini-LED as an emerging TV tech, some estimate that mini-LED technology will eventually come to mainstream laptops, tablets and even smartphones. But what is the brand new mini-LED tech and why are companies want to replace OLED displays with this futuristic display tech?

What is Mini-LED display technology?

Let’s get straight to the point. The micro-LED display is an improved version of LCD technology. Most modern LCD TVs use LEDs, or Light Emitting Diodes for their backlights. Mini LED, which is sometimes referred to as a sub-millimeter light-emitting diode, is a better version of the traditional LCD display.

Mini LEDs work similarly to LEDs used in LED TVs or QLED TVs but are much smaller. At about 200 microns or 0.008 inches across, mini-LEDs are about a fifth of the size of the standard LEDs in use in LCD panels. Since they are smaller in size, more of them can be packed into a screen In fact, they provide much better control of the backlighting and this leads to better image quality.

But makes mini-LED display technology so interesting is that you get the same level of contrast and brightness similar to OLED. Having a backlit means, Mini LED-capable TVs can deliver greater brightness and deeper blacks but at a much lower price. Think of mini-LED tech as an affordable version of OLED, without screen burn-in issues.

 MSI’s Creator 17 is the only Mini LED laptop you can buy in the market. (Image credit: MSI)

Advantages of mini-LEDs over OLEDs

*Greater contrast and improved black levels than OLEDs.

*TV manufacturers get more control over dimming zones, meaning how bright or dim parts of the screen can go.

*Less expensive to make than OLEDs.

*Mini LED tech is better at displaying HDR content.

 Mini LED tech offers similar benefits to OLED, like deeper blacks and higher contrast. (Image credit: TCL)

Which TV brands plan to launch Mini-LED TVs?

Since last year, TCL has been selling Mini-LED TVs in the market. In fact, TCL was the first major TV manufacturer to launch mini-LED TVs. At CES 2021, the Chinese company said it plans to launch a new range of TVs with the next-gen Mini-LED technology. LG meanwhile says its QNED TVs will use Mini-LED backlight technology and the new range will be shown off for the first time at the tech show. Samsung hasn’t announced any mini-LED TVs yet, but we expect the South Korean major to be a big proponent of this display tech in the future.

Several Apple products to feature mini-LED displays this year

But while mini-LED on TVs or laptops hasn’t exploded yet, the technology might get a big boost once Apple starts to adopt this display tech. TF International analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that several Apple products will launch with mini-LED display tech in 2021. Kou says mini-LED displays could come to the high-end iPad Pro and the MacBook Pro this year. In fact, Apple is rumoured to be working on as many as six devices with the new display tech. What does this mean for people who buy the new iPad Pro or MacBook Pro? Well, we have to wait for Apple to release these products first.

Mi 10i Review

Coronavirus: This symptom may not be worth worrying about, as per experts

01/4This symptom may not be worth worrying about, as per experts

With the onset of the novel coronavirus, millions of people entered a state of turmoil. The symptoms, ranging from mild to severe, developed an air of confusion, as most of the signs resembled the symptoms of other diseases and viral infections, such as flu, common cold and seasonal allergies. While fever, dry cough, fatigue, loss of sense of smell and taste and other medical complications can indicate a possibility of COVID-19, this one symptom, according to experts, needs no worrying and can be wavered off. Read on to find out more.

02/4Which symptom indicates you're safe from COVID?

Sneezing, like other symptoms of COVID-19, can be associated with many other medical conditions. A sneeze is a powerful and an involuntary expulsion of air that aims to remove irritants from your nose and throat. While cold, cough and fever along with sneezing could be linked to the coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), if you're only experiencing sneezing as a symptom, it is not a sign of COVID-19. Besides, the CDC does not list sneezing as a symptom of coronavirus.

03/4Other causes of sneezing?

Sneezing can be caused due to various other reasons. According to the CDC, sneezing is considered a common symptom of a cold and a flu symptom sometimes. In case you have a cold and a mild fever, it may be followed by a sore throat and a runny nose which could be accompanied by sneezing. Apart from that, sneezing can also be triggered by seasonal allergies. In a comparative analysis between COVID-19 and seasonal allergies, the CDC claimed that sneezing could be a more likely symptom of seasonal allergies than COVID-19.

Besides that, sneezing can also occur due to environmental changes. As per experts, cold and dry air can irritate your nasal passages and this can cause you to sneeze. It is a very common condition, which alone cannot indicate COVID-19 in a person.

Vaio to Make Comeback in India on January 15, New Laptops Teased on Flipkart Ahead of Launch

 

Vaio is making a comeback in India on January 15. The new Vaio laptops will 

be available for purchase in the country through Flipkart. The brand had once

 gained popularity in the Indian market for its sleek and colourful laptops, 

though it silently exited the country

 a few years back. Hong Kong-based Nexsto Company, which also sells

 Avita laptops in India and global markets, is reviving the Vaio brand through 

a license agreement with Japan's Vaio Corporation. It is already manufacturing, 

selling, marketing, and serving Vaio laptops in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, 

Singapore, Taiwan, and the Middle East.

The Vaio laptops entering the Indian market are claimed to be “premium, 

intelligently-crafted” and deliver “exceptional” quality. However, the brand hasn't 

revealed the specifications or features of its new models.

“We are looking forward to becoming the top choice for laptop buyers across the country,”

 said Seema Bhatnagar, Regional Business Director, South Asia, Vaio, in a press 

statement announcing the brand's comeback.

Snow disrupts life in Kashmir, lifeline highway shut for fourth day

People walk past stranded vehicles on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway during heavy snowfall, at Qazigund in Anantnag district of South Kashmir on January 5.(PTI)

The lifeline Srinagar-Jammu national highway remained closed for the fourth day on Wednesday as fresh landslides were reported along the only road that connects the Valley with the rest of the country. Officials said the stranded vehicles along the highway have been taken to safer places amid continuous rain and snowfall.

“Jammu Srinagar NHW [national highway] blocked due to snow accumulation at Jawahar Tunnel and Landslides/mudslides/shooting stones at Samroli, Magarkot, Panthyal, Marog, Cafeteria mor, Dhalwas, Nashri @JmuKmrPolice,” tweeted Jammu & Kashmir traffic police.

A group of tourists from Rajasthan had a narrow escape along the highway near Panthal when a landslide hit the vehicle they were travelling in. Police said the tourists were rescued and were safe.

Heavy snowfall since the weekend has disrupted life across Kashmir, especially in South Kashmir and the upper reaches of North and Central Kashmir. Places like Kulgam district in South Kashmir have received up to six feet of snow. The heavy snowfall has prompted authorities to order rationing of petrol, diesel, and LPG cylinders as well as establish helplines at district headquarters.

Residents have complained that snow has not been cleared at many places and hampered the public movement.

The Jammu & Kashmir Disaster Management Authority separately issued an avalanche alert. “Medium level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Jawahar Tunnel, Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag, Kulgam, Kupwara and Tanghdar. Similarly, low-level avalanche warning has been issued for upper reaches of Gulmarg, Gurez, Kanzalwan, and Sonmarg,” said an official of the authority.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the weather was expected to improve from Thursday. “Present weather conditions are likely to continue till late tonight [Wednesday] or early tomorrow [Thursday]. We expect a significant improvement in weather from tomorrow...[Thursday] in Jammu and Kashmir. With that cold wave will return from January 7th [Thursday] onwards with warmer days and colder nights,” IMD said in a bulletin. It added Srinagar recorded a minimum temperature of 0.9 degrees Celsius on Tuesday.

Bird flu outbreak in four states, Centre issues advisory to contain spread

 

Health workers in protective suits prepare to set fire after culling ducks following the detection of H5N8 strain of bird flu among domestic birds in Alappuzha district, Tuesday, January 05, 2021. (AP)

The Centre on Wednesday said that Avian Influenza, or the bird flu outbreak, had so far been reported at 12 epicentres across four states — Kerala, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh — and issued advisories to contain further spread of the infection.

Of the 12 epicenters, the bird flu has been reported in crows in Baran, Kota, Jhalawar region of Rajasthan as well as Mandsaur, Indore, Malwa areas of Madhya Pradesh. In Himachal Pradesh, the infection was found in migratory birds in Kangra region and in poultry ducks in Kottayam, Alappuzha (4 epicentres) in Kerala.

Avian influenza or bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease caused by Influenza Type A viruses, which generally affects poultry birds such as chickens and turkeys. There are many strains of the virus; some of them are mild and may merely cause a dip in egg production or other mild symptoms among chickens, while others are severe and lethal.

The Union Ministry of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry have asked other states to keep a vigil on any unusual mortality amongst birds. The current bird flu outbreak comes few months after India on September 30, 2020, declared the country free from the disease. India notified the first outbreak of Avian Influenza in 2006.

Here are the latest developments:

MP bans chicken import from southern states

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Wednesday said that no chicken consignments from Kerala and other southern states would be procured for the next 10 days in view of the bird flu scare in MP.

Talking to reporters in Indore, Chouhan also said his government was issuing directives to ban the transportation of chicken consignments from these states to the border districts of Madhya Pradesh.

“Bird flu symptoms were found in chickens in Kerala and other southern states. Therefore, we have decided that no chicken from these states will be allowed to enter Madhya Pradesh for the next 10 days,” Chouhan was quoted as saying.

Chouhan also reviewed the bird flu situation with officials in Bhopal, after mass death of crows was reported from some districts of the state, including Indore, Agar Malwa and Mandsaur. “I have reviewed the bird flu situation in the state today. There is no cause of worry. We are keeping a constant watch on the situation,” he said.