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The premium smartwatch segment seems empty with very few options that can take on the exalted Apple Watch or Samsung S3 gear. However, some players now want to carve a niche for themselves. We recently came across Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro , a premium smartwatch with one of the best displays and a bag full of features. We felt the watch can easy give premium smartwatches a run for their money, but does the first impression stick on after almost a month of use? Let’s find out. Design and build quality Mobvoi TicWatch Pro smartwatch Mobvoi TicWatch Pro looks like a premium smartwatch from every angle. It has hybrid leather straps on the outward side, while the inner side has a silicone layer. You can carry the watch with formals and casuals, it complements both the looks. Read Complete Article

Chinese smartphone brand Realme’s recently launched premium smartphone, the Realme X2 Pro, goes on sale under the company’s Black Friday sale at the Realme online store today. The phone comes in 8GB RAM + 128GB storage and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage variants, priced at Rs 29,999 and Rs 33,999, respectively. As part of the company’s introductory offer on the phone, the Realme X2 Pro gets a 10 per cent instant discount (up to Rs 500) on HDFC Bank debit card transactions. The phone is also eligible for Bajaj Finserv’s no-interest equated monthly instalment (no-cost EMI) scheme. Additionally, the phone comes bundled with a Reliance Jio offer that includes benefits worth Rs 5,500 in the form of additional data and coupons. At its price, the Realme X2 Pro has something in store for everyone — a premium design, 90Hz super AMOLED screen, Dolby-tuned stereo speakers, ultra-fast charging and quad-camera set-up on the back. Here are five reasons why you should consider this smartphone. Re

Walmart-owned e-commerce company Flipkart has introduced a ‘smart assistive interface’ feature called ‘Flipkart Saathi’ to support first-time e-commerce users on the platform and enhance their overall shopping experience. This feature is available in Hindi and English to start with and is Flipkart’s attempt towards further humanising e-commerce. With this feature, Flipkart aims to empower consumers across tier II, III cities and beyond in rural India, as it seeks to bring the next 200 million consumers online. The assistive interface feature (audio-guided navigation) aims at mimicking the typical real-life shopping experience for consumers who are comfortable being assisted by a salesperson. It uses a combination of text and audio-based instructions to guide new users in their e-commerce journey. This includes a list of key actions in the form of pop-up texts followed by audio for a better understanding. As audio is simple to follow and offers relatability, consumers can follow

Facebook-owned WhatsApp is working on a feature that will delete messages automatically after a stipulated time as set by users, according to WABetaInfo, a fan site that tests new WhatsApp features early. Renamed "Delete Messages" from earlier "Disappearing Messages", the feature is being tested in beta mode. "In the WhatsApp beta for Android 2.19.282 update, we presented a new feature called 'Disappearing Messages' that will automatically delete messages after a certain time. The feature is still under development, and WhatsApp is starting to work again on it in the 2.19.348 update, where they renamed 'Disappearing Messages' to 'Delete Messages'," WABetaInfo reported. Once available, the "Delete Message" feature will come with a toggle on/off button and users can choose a stipulated time -- 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or 1 year -- for the messages to automatically disappear. Read Complete Article

Nearly a month after WhatsApp made its now controversial revelations about an Israeli software being used to snoop on Indian citizens, Google said on Tuesday that about 500 users from India were among 12,000 people informed about being targeted by ‘government-backed attackers’ between July and September this year. The affected users were spread across 149 countries, and the number was similar to (up or down 10 per cent) the number of warnings sent in the same period of 2018 and 2017, Shane Huntley from Google’s Threat Analysis Group (TAG) said in a blogpost. “ Over 90 per cent of these users were targeted via ‘credential phishing emails’... these are usually attempts to obtain the target’s password or other account credentials to hijack their account,” he said. As an example, Huntley explains how a phishing attempt works. An attacker sends an authentic-looking email, which can be made to look like it was sent from Google, with a security alert. Read Complete Article

Reliance Industries (RIL) on Thursday became the first Indian company to hit Rs 10 trillion market capitalisation (m-cap) after the stock price hit a new high of Rs 1,581.25 on the BSE. The oil-to-telecom conglomerate's m-cap zoomed to Rs 10,02,380 crore during the trade on the BSE. Minutes later, however, the m-cap slipped below Rs 10 trillion-mark. In the past eight trading days, RIL has outperformed the market by gaining 8 per cent, after Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of the company, said it will increase tariffs in next few weeks. In comparison, the S&P BSE Sensex has gained one per cent during the same period. "Like other operators, we will also work with the Government and comply with the regulatory regime to strengthen the industry to benefit Indian consumers and take measures including appropriate increase in tariffs in next few weeks in a manner that does not adversely impact data consumption or growth in digital adoption and sustains investments,"

Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi recently launched in India the Redmi Note 8 . A successor to the Redmi Note 7, the smartphone has got several upgrades, including a quad-camera module on the back, premium glass design with Gorilla Glass 5 protection, USB type-C charging and data transfer port, and fast charging support. Priced at Rs 9,999 for the base model (4GB RAM + 64GB storage), the phone seems to be a feature-rich option in the budget smartphone segment. But is it an all-round performer? Let’s find out: Design and display The Redmi Note 8 does not look any different from its predecessor. Its design might seem dated to some, but it has its own strengths. Like its predecessor, the phone has curved Gorilla Glass 5 protection on the front and back that most phones in the segment lack. The glass construction, however, makes the phone heavy (190g) and you might find it difficult to operate for extended hours. Moreover, the protruding rear-camera module makes it uneven on flat s

Chinese smartphone manufacturer HONOR unveiled the HONOR View 30 series , the first dual-mode 5G smartphone lineup from the company, here on Tuesday. The phones are equipped with 5G/4G dual-mode, which addresses the need of dual-SIM users in the 5G era, while maintaining compatibility with other network standards, like 4G, 3G and 2G. "A 5G-enabled smartphone will change how we live, work and play, and pave the way for boundless opportunities in the Internet of Things," said George Zhao, President of HONOR. "Boasting the latest Kirin 990 processor series and the world's first Aurora nano texture design, the HONOR View 30 series is our most innovative smartphone to-date, which will make spectacular impacts on the daily lives of people around the world," he said. The View 30 will be available in 6GB RAM/128GB storage and 8GB RAM/128GB storage options at 3,299 yuan and 3,699 yuan, respectively. The View 30 Pro with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage costs 3,899 y

India launched 14 satellites Wednesday morning, boosting the morale of its space agency which lost contact with a spacecraft to trying to land on the moon in September. Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle-C47 (PSLV-C47) placed in orbit India's earth observation satellite Cartosat-3 and 13 nano-satellites for the US when it blasted off from the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro's) Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota at 9:28am. Seventeen minutes after lift-off, Cartosat-3 separated from the launch vehicle and put into orbit. The 13 US satellites will be launched in the next eight minutes, completing the first business order of Isro's newly formed commercial arm NewSpace India Ltd. Cartosat-3, India’s third-generation earth observation satellite, will be used for large-scale urban planning and to monitor coastal land, rural resources and infrastructure development. The satellite, which will last for five years and weighs 1,625kg, can pick a 25-cm object fro

Passenger vehicle (PV) buyers looking for hefty discounts till the last month or day before the new emission norms (BS-VI) take effect could be in for disappointment. Let alone a discount, they might not even get the model, variant or colour of choice in BS-IV-compliant vehicles, said car dealers and automakers. Though lower than last month, consumer offers on PVs continue in the current month. However, depending on a particular model, fuel type and variant, the offers may not last beyond a month as stock levels at most dealerships have seen significant reduction after Diwali (October 27). “ A lot of models of various brands are already in short supply,” said Sanjay Thakker, chairman, Landmark Group. “Those looking to buy BS-IV models shouldn’t wait.” Landmark is a dealer for Mercedes, Honda Cars, Renault, Nissan, Chrysler, and Volkswagen. This is a stark departure from the previous years of emission norm change. Manufacturers usually pull out all stops to woo buyers till

Business News : Four companies, including Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance group and Bharti Airtel, on Monday collectively submitted 11 bids for three Anil Ambani group companies, which are up for sale as going concerns as part of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process. The three companies for sale are Reliance Communications (RCom), Reliance Telecom (which holds the spectrum), and Reliance Infratel (which controls the tower and fibre assets). RCom also owns real estate and enterprise businesses. The bids were opened by the committee of creditors, which held a meeting that continued until late night on Monday in Mumbai. It will meet again on Friday to discuss and possibly finalise the winning bids for the three companies The value of the financial bids as well as which companies they have bid for, however, could not be ascertained. Read Complete Article

Rating agency Moody's on Monday said the amendments to India’s bankruptcy code enabling the resolution of finance companies are credit positive for banks . India's banks are largest lenders to non banking finance Institutions (NBFI). The provisions in the IBC provide for the orderly resolution of a stressed company. Until now, the only resolution framework for NBFIs was through liquidation. "We expect an orderly resolution process via the IBC will help limit losses for creditors as compared with liquidation," Moody's said in a statement. On November 18, 2019, the government (Baa2 negative) amended the country’s Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) 2016. It allows for the resolution of NBFIs, including housing finance companies, with asset sizes greater than Rs 500 crore via the IBC. Read Complete Article

Godrej Appliances on Monday said it will invest Rs 700 crore to increase its annual appliance production capacity by 19 lakh units by 2022, taking it up to 65 lakh units per annum. The appliances maker also plans to introduce newer technologies and carry out backward integration. "Godrej Appliances is all set to invest another Rs 700 crore by 2022. This latest announcement takes the tally of Godrej Appliances' investment in capacity and technology expansion to Rs 1,100 Crore over a period of six years," the Godrej & Boyce Mfg Co unit said. The fresh investment is aimed at raising the company's annual appliance production capacity by 19 lakh units by 2022, increasing it up to 65 lakh units per annum, it added. With this investment, Godrej Appliances plans to double the current capacity for washing machines - both fully automatic top load and semi-automatic - at its Shirwal and Mohali plants. Read Complete Article

Business News : Having asked for a 10-day extension from a Resolution Professional, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance group is expected to make a bid for his brother Anil Ambani’s Reliance Communications (RCom) and its related companies on Monday. The companies are up for grabs as going concerns from the Anil Ambani stable under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) process. They include RCom, Reliance Telecom (which has the spectrum), and Reliance Telecom Infrastructure which houses the tower and fibre assets. Rcom also has subsidiaries which control its real estate and data centre businesses. The bids close on Monday and it is expected that the committee of creditors will open them on the same day for discussions. The structure of how the bid will be made is not clear as, under the regulatory rules, a bid by Reliance Jio (which is not a listed entity) acquiring RCom (a listed entity) would require the former to merge the latter. Yet that is clearly not acceptable to the group whic

Averting a major showdown with the Uttar Pradesh power employees on the illegal investment of their provident fund (PF) in Dewan Housing Finance Corporation Limited (DHFL), the Yogi Adityanath government has announced to underwrite the outstanding corpus. Besides, the state has also started the process of disinvesting the PF corpus in two other non-banking finance companies as well — LIC Housing Finance and PNB Housing Finance, which would be invested in other public sector financial institutions as per norms. While Rs 4,122 crore was invested in DHFL alone by the two trusts managing the PF of the power employees between March 2017 and December 2018, about Rs 2,267 crore is still to be repaid by the company, which has been barred by the Bombay High Court from making fresh repayments. The employees had been demanding the state to issue a gazette notification undertaking to ensure repayment of the corpus in DHFL, which is being probed by the enforcement directorate for money

Chinese smartphone brand Vivo on Friday launched in India the Vivo U20 . Second in the company’s budget U-series smartphones, the Vivo U20 boasts waterdrop-shaped notch screen, big capacity battery with fast charge support, triple rear cameras and capacitive fingerprint sensor on the back. The phone comes in 4GB RAM + 64GB storage and 6GB RAM + 64GB storage configurations, priced at Rs 10,990 and Rs 11,990, respectively. Both the variants will go on sale from November 28 on Amazon India and Vivo e-Store. Vivo U20 specifications The Vivo U20 has a 6.53 waterdrop-shaped notch screen of fullHD+ resolution. The screen is covered under Panda Panda MN228, which is a protective glass just like the Corning Gorilla Glass. The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 system-on-chip, paired with up to 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. The dualSIM phone has a storage expansion slot, which supports up to 512GB microSD card. The phone boots Android Pie operating system, covered under Vi

The pink ball feels like a " heavy hockey ball " to Virat Kohli, who is extremely wary of the challenges its weight, hardness and colour could pose while fielding. Indian cricket will finally embrace the pink revolution when Kohli's formidable team lock horns with a deflated Bangladesh in their maiden Day/Night Test starting here on Friday. "One thing that surprised me was the fielding sessions. In the slips balls hit so hard it almost felt like a heavy hockey ball, all those synthetic ball that we're used to play with in the younger days," Kohli said on the eve of the match. "It's purely because of the extra glaze on the ball, it is definitely much more harder. For some reason it felt heavy and even the throws took a lot more effort than the red colour to reach the wicketkeeper." India had their first brush with the SG pink ball after they wrapped up the opening Test inside three days in Indore. Read Complete Article

Shoppers will soon be able to work out the true carbon footprint of their purchases thanks to an app from one of the most digitally savvy nations in the world. Unlike other carbon-footprint calculators already on the market, the application developed by Enfuce Financial Services Oy, a Finnish payment services provider, does not rely on users inputting the data manually. Instead, it combines data from credit cards and banks with purchase data from retailers to provide real-time calculations of how a given product affects the climate. With an estimated 70% of carbon emissions globally attributed to end users, Enfuce chairman and co-founder Monika Liikamaa says the app will help people adapt their lifestyles and make them compatible with the goal of keeping global warming within 1.5 degrees Celsius. Read Complete Article

Amazon added a new device to its Echo lineup today in India. Called Echo Flex, the plug-in device is a multi-functional smart speaker. The Amazon Echo Flex plugs directly into a standard electrical outlet and comes with built-in Alexa voice support that lets you control other smart home devices, the official release notes. The smart speaker also comes with a USB-A port that allows you to charge a phone or other devices. The Amazon Echo Flex is available for pre-order starting today and will ship next month. It is priced at INR 2,999. Read Complete Article

Chandrayaan-2's Vikram lander hard-landed as reduction in velocity during its descent was more than the designed parameters, the government said on Wednesday throwing more light on ISRO's dashed hopes of making a soft landing on the lunar surface in its maiden attempt. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Jitendra Singh, the minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, who looks after the department of space, said the first phase of descent was performed nominally from an altitude of 30 kms to 7.4 kms above the moon's surface and velocity was reduced from 1,683 metres per second to 146 metres per second. "During the second phase of descent, the reduction in velocity was more than the designed value. Due to this deviation, the initial conditions at the start of the fine braking phase were beyond the designed parameters. As a result, Vikram hard-landed within 500 metres of the designated landing site," he said. Singh, however, said

Digital tech major Wipro on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Oulu in Finland to collaborate in the areas of wireless communications in 5G/6G at GHz, THz and lightwave frequencies under the university's 6G flagship programme. The University of Oulu is an international science university, which focuses on innovation for the future, well-being, and knowledge through research and education. "The new research partnership between Wipro and University of Oulu regarding 5G and 6G will boost innovation and is an excellent start for the mutually beneficial cooperation between Finland and Wipro," said Timo Harakka, Minister of Employment at Finland's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. Kari Leppanen, Professor of Practice at the University of Oulu, said as the leader of world's first major 6G research programme, 6G Flagship focuses on wireless communications leading to 6G technologies. "We look forward to targeted

Lenovo India on Tuesday launched ThinkBook -- a new sub-brand dedicated to small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the country. The company has made two additions to the ThinkBook sub-brand with the ThinkBook 14 and ThinkBook 15 which will be available in the first week of December at a starting price of Rs 30,990. Backed by customer research, ThinkBook is specially designed for the SMBs, thus, providing a unique balance of premium metal design to appeal to the new workforce with business grade security and services. "Our vision of smarter technology for all is a world where every person and business has access to technology that enables them to achieve their own intelligent transformation. Read Complete Article

Google has updated its My Devices page to add desktop computers. As the official blog notes, the page now includes both mobile and desktop devices. Google will also redirect visitors to the new mydevices.google.com site. The updated page continues to offer detailed device information and the options to manage device access and wipe the device if desired. The new My Devices page is being rolled out to everyone. Readmore

The Bihar School Examination Board or BSEB has released the Bihar Board 12th date sheet and BSEB 10th date sheet. The Bihar Board 10th examination will start from February 17, 2020 and the 12th board exams will be held from February 3, 2020. The 12th and 10th board exams will be held in two shifts - from 9:30 am to 12:45 pm and then from 1:45 pm to 5 pm. To know the detail, students can visit the official website of BSEB, biharboardonline.bihar.gov.in. Bihar Board 12th date sheet 2020 February 3 : Morning shift - Physics; Afternoon shift - History, RB Hindi February 4 : Morning shift - Chemistry; Afternoon shift - Political Science, English February 5 : Morning shift - Biology, Afternoon shift - Economics, Foundation Course February 6 : Afternoon shift- Computer Science, Multi Media and Web Tech, Yoga and Physical Education February 7 : Morning shift - Mathematics, Afternoon shift - M.B, Vocational Trade-I February 8 : Morning shift - Agriculture, Music, Afternoon