Google working on new ‘Bluetooth Distance Measurement’ API: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 19, 2023 | Technology

Google is reportedly working on a new ‘Bluetooth Distance Measurement’ application programming interface (API), which will help users to measure the distance between their smartphone and connected devices.

This feature was first spotted by Esper’s Mishaal Rahman and the company has already started to add code for it to the Android open source project (AOSP), reports AndroidPolice.

However, it will not provide accurate distance measurements, but it is likely to be able to tell users whether their phone is more or less than one meter away from connected Bluetooth devices.

The new API is expected to use Bluetooth Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) to measure the distance between users’ smartphones and connected devices.

Users might have to wait until Android 14 at the earliest for the API’s full debut, the report said.

Last week, the tech giant had announced that it is bringing new features to smartphones that have not got operating system updates in years.

The company released a tool called the ‘Extension Software Developer Kit’ (Extensive SDK), which allows developers to use features such as Android 13’s new photo picker in applications running on some Android 11 and 12 versions.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Vivo announces Republic Day sale offers on select smartphones: Details here

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 19, 2023 | Technology

Vivo India on Thursday announced Republic Day offers on its smartphones. The offers will be live on Vivo online store, Vivo store and partner retail stores until January 31. In the sale, the Chinese smartphone manufacturer is offering discounts on the Vivo V25 series, Y75 series and Y35 smartphones. Below are the details:

Vivo V25 Pro

Vivo is offering up to Rs 2,500 instant cashback on all variants of its V25 Pro smartphone on payments done through ICICI Bank debit and credit cards, SBI credit cards, and Kotak Mahindra Bank credit cards. Powered by MediaTek Dimensity 1300 processor, the smartphone sports a 6.56-inch AMOLED screen of 120Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits of peak brightness level. It comes in 8GB + 128GB and 12GB + 256GB configuration, and pure black and sailing blue colours. Other features include under the screen fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and USB-C charging port.

Vivo V25

There is an instant cashback offer of up to Rs 2,000 with ICICI Bank cards, SBI Bank credit card and EMI transactions. The Vivo V25 sports a 6.44-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen of 90 Hz refresh rate and 1300 nits of peak brightness level. It comes in 8GB + 128GB and 12GB + 256GB configuration, and elegant black and surfing blue colours.

Vivo Y75

There is a cashback of up to Rs 2,000 on ICICI Bank cards, SBI Bank credit card and EMI transactions. The Vivo Y75 is powered by Mediatek Helio G96 processor and sports 6.44-inch FHD+ LCD screen. It boots Android 12 operating system-based Funtouch 12. It comes in moonlight shadow and dancing waves colours with 8GB + 128GB storage.

Vivo Y75 5G

On the bank EMIs, there is an instant cashback of up to Rs 1,500 on ICICI Bank cards and SBI Bank credit cards. Powered by Mediatek Dimensity 700 processor and 5,000 mAh battery, it sports a 6.58-inch IPS LCD screen. The smartphone boots Android 11 operating system-based Funtouch 12. It comes in glowing galaxy and starlight black colours with 8GB + 128GB storage.

Vivo Y35

On the EMI transactions, there is a cashback of up to Rs 1,000 available with ICICI Bank cards and SBI Bank credit cards. The Vivo Y35 smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 680 processor and 5,000 mAh battery, which is supported by 44W fast wired charging. It has a triple-camera set-up on the back, featuring 50-megapixel primary camera, 2MP depth sensor and 2MP macro sensor.

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Apple expands Advanced Data Protection option globally with iOS 16.3 update

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 19, 2023 | Technology

Apple has announced that it is expanding its Advanced Data Protection option for users globally.

Beginning with iOS 16.3, the security feature will allow users to enable end-to-end encryption for a variety of additional iCloud data categories, including Photos, Notes, Voice Memos, Messages backups, device backups, and more, reports MacRumors.

iOS 16.3 is currently in beta and is expected to be released to the public next week.

Advanced Data Protection first launched in the US in December with iOS 16.2.

Moreover, Advanced Data Protection is intended to maintain end-to-end encryption for most shared iCloud content, as long as all participants have Advanced Data Protection enabled, including iCloud Shared Photo Library, iCloud Drive shared folders, and shared Notes, according to the report.

Apple, on the other hand, claims that iWork collaboration, the Shared Albums feature in Photos, and sharing content with “anyone with a link” do not support Advanced Data Protection.

Meanwhile, Apple will reportedly roll out its HomeKit architecture in the iOS 16.3 beta.

Last month, the iPhone maker removed the option to upgrade Homekit to the new architecture, following the users’ reports that the update was not working properly.

However, now, it seems that the company is preparing to try it again for the upcoming operating system updates.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Garmin launches Instinct Crossover Series watches in India: Price, features

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 19, 2023 | Technology

Adventure watchmaker Garmin on Thursday launched in India the Instinct Crossover and Instinct Crossover Solar smartwatches. Priced Rs 55,990 onwards, the watches will be available for purchase online on e-commerce platform Amazon India, Tata CLiQ, Tata Luxury, Synergizer, Flipkart and Nykaa, and offline at Garmin stores and Helios watch stores.

“Garmin brings a hybrid GPS multi-sport smartwatch in India that redefines the modern adventure smartwatch, as the pandemic dread subsides and people in India start stepping out for outdoor tracking, travelling, and driving,” said Yeshudas Pillai, Country Head, Garmin India.

Instinct Crossover Series smartwatches: Features

The smartwatches sport a Super-Lumi Nova coated analog hands and a chapter ring on the dial under a digital display. Supported by the RevoDrive analog hand technology, the Instinct Crossover watches is claimed by the company to deliver accurate timekeeping even during strenuous activities with advanced auto-calibration.

The Instinct Crossover Solar (Rs 61,990) offers a battery saver mode along with solar charging. It is said to provide up to 70 days of battery life in solar charging mode. The base model, without solar charging, Instinct Crossover (Rs 55,990) can provide nearly a month of battery life in the smartwatch mode, and more than 110 hours in GPS mode.

Featuring a thermal and shock-resistant build, and a scratch-free lens, the two watches come with the ability to track and store health-related information. These include maintaining a sleep score with advanced sleep monitoring technology and recording key health metrics, such as stress, oxygen levels and heart rate.

For users on the go, Instinct Crossover delivers timely notifications received on the connected device. Besides, the watch interface and content categorisation can be customised as per individual requirements through the Garmin Connect app and Connect IQ store.

Among other features, the smartwatches provide GPS tracking, satellite connectivity (multi-GNSS), Altimeter, Barometer, and Compass (ABC sensors) to determine directions. Besides, there is also TracBack routing, which helps users navigate back to their starting point during an adventure sport or a hiking trip, and a Reference Point feature to keep track of a known place within the users’ current location.

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Twitter Blue now costs per month for Android users: Details here

Twitter Blue now costs $11 per month for Android users: Details here

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 19, 2023 | Technology

Elon Musk-owned Twitter has increased the price of its Blue service for Android users, with individuals now having to pay $11 a month.

Twitter Blue plan starts at $8/month or $84/year in available countries to get the blue checkmark in addition to early access to features.

“All Twitter Blue features will be available immediately except the blue checkmark, which may take time to appear to ensure review of subscribed accounts meets all requirements,” according to the company’s Help Centre page.

With Blue checkmarks, Twitter Blue features offer subscribers a way to enhance and customise their Twitter experience — which include — custom app icons, custom navigation, top articles, undo tweet, longer video upload, and more.

The Twitter Blue plan is currently available on the web, iOS, or Android only in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the UK.

The company says that “it reserves the right without notice to remove your blue checkmark at any time in its sole discretion without offering you a refund, including if you violate our Terms of Service or if your account is suspended”.

The micro-blogging platform further mentioned that it is also piloting a new service called Twitter Verification for Organisations, which is a service for business entities on Twitter that adds a gold checkmark to official business accounts.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Google-owned YouTube rolling out updates to TV’s live guide, library

by Hansraj Agrawal | Jan 19, 2023 | Technology

Video-sharing platform YouTube is rolling out updates to its YouTube TV’s live guide and library, which will help streamline the users’ experience.

The redesigned live guide brings new curated recommendations at the top, a simplified design and more key information for each live show or movie, the platform said in a blogpost on Wednesday.

On the other hand, updates to the library will help users to manage their content with improved content filtering and better organisational tools.

“Users should begin seeing this redesign over the next few months.”

The updates on YouTube TV focus on three key principles– to “empower viewers with more control and choice so they can watch TV their way”, “anticipate TV watching needs by getting viewers the content they want with less effort” and “recognise different interests and viewing behaviours”.

“Our team’s philosophy is that YouTube TV is ‘TV Made For You’, and this is threaded throughout the entire product experience across your Live, Library and Home,” the company said.

The platform also mentioned that it will bring “more flexibility and interactivity during live playback and add the ability to easily switch between user profiles”.

–IANS

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(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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