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• Telegram Is Finally Offering Group Video Calling Functionality
• BIS Listing Reveals Poco Could Launch a Rebranded Xiaomi Neckband
• Twitter May Soon Allow Option to Log in via Google Account
• Google to Notify Users About Unreliable Search Results
• The Upcoming Realme Book Is a Boon in Disguise For Enthusiasts
• Making 5G Fly With CI/CD Services
• Tata Sky Channel Packs Are Getting Expensive
• Windows 11 Will Mandate HD Cameras on Laptops Starting 2023
• JioPhone Next User Experience Key for Adoption Than Pricing Say Analysts

Telegram Is Finally Offering Group Video Calling Functionality Posted: 26 Jun 2021 08:30 AM PDT Messaging services have become increasingly useful in these times, with users opting to connect with their loved ones via these platforms rather than meet offline, due to the pandemic. Due to this, Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp, the top three messaging platforms have gained multiple users since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. To cater to the demand, all of them have been adding new features, be it privacy related, design-related or just in relation to functionality. This includes video conferencing, a feature that is mandated on all such platforms, as audio-only calls are fading away in favour of the much more modern and useful video-based calling. Today, Telegram announced that with the latest version of the app on iOS, Android and desktop, the users of the encrypted messaging application will be able to convert their group voice chats into video con-calls. With this, users will have the option to pin a user’s video feed to the screen so that they are at the top and in focus even if new participants join the call. Users will also be able to share their screen if they need to showcase something or share documents. Users will also be given the option to share their camera feed and screen at the same time, as per Engadget. What Does the Group Video Call Option Include Via the new release, group video calls will be limited to the first 30 people who will join the voice chat, but Telegram has mentioned that it will increase this number soon, with the intention to expand voice chats in order to support live events and other such new features. This functionality will be available on smartphones, tablets and computers. This comes after the messaging service’s CEO Pavel Durov had announced, via a message post on his official Telegram channel that Telegram would be adding a video dimension to its voice chats in May, making Telegram a powerful platform for group video calls. In April 2020, a blog post that went live to celebrate 400 million users joining telegram, it was mentioned that the global lockdown had highlighted the need for a trusted video communication tool much like messaging in 2013. There was also a mention of the security of group video calls, which might explain the delay in the release of the feature. In case you missed it, the company had reached 400 million active users in April of 2020, a decent rise from the first 200 million that was noted in 2018.

BIS Listing Reveals Poco Could Launch a Rebranded Xiaomi Neckband Posted: 26 Jun 2021 07:30 AM PDT In the current scenario, most people, if not all are reliant on technology for getting day-to-day tasks done. These include their schooling and office-related tasks. With COVID, most offices have moved to remote work, meaning that all the tedious meetings now take place in one’s house via the web rather than physically. In scenarios like this, a headphone or truly-wireless earbud is essential, since you would not like your colleagues or boss to hear your family or your television blasting whilst in a meeting, and, brands who deal with such products have realised the importance of offering more and more audio products to cater to the needs of the consumer. Poco is one such brand that has been silent in this category, despite being a sub-entity of Redmi/Xiaomi, which offers multiple audio products, with the latest one being the Mi Neckband Bluetooth Earphones Pro that was launched in February in India, with the product going on sale from March 1. What Do We Know About the Poco Neckband This is not a surprise as Xiaomi is known for expanding away from just offering smartphones, much like Redmi, but, as mentioned above, Poco has never done something like that, opting to only offer smartphones, at least till now. Four months after Xiaomi’s last audio product was released, the Mi Neckband Bluetooth Earphones Pro has been spotted on BIS or the Bureau of Indian Standards sporting a Poco branding. This comes after POCO had announced plans to launch a pair of truly wireless earphones or TWS offering dubbed the Poco Pop Buds. But that product is yet to reach the market and mark its debut, with the only information at hand being that it will be a rebrand of a Redmi earbud found in China. Today, however, Twitter user @i_hsay noted that Poco could soon launch a pair of neckband-style earphones, with the accessory having been listed with the model number LYXQEJ05WM which is identical to the one of the Mi Neckband Bluetooth Earphones Pro. These two products were oddly certified on the same day, March 1. Do note that if the Poco Neckband Earphones are identical to the Mi Neckband Bluetooth Earphones Pro, we can expect them to make use of 10mm drivers, offer ANC or Active Noise Cancellation, ENC, IPX5 certification for splash resistance, Bluetooth 5.0, 20-hours of battery life and MicroUSB based charging. In India, the Mi product is on offer in two colours either Black or blue with a price tag of Rs 1,799.

Twitter May Soon Allow Option to Log in via Google Account Posted: 26 Jun 2021 07:03 AM PDT Twitter in recent months has been subject to some criticism in India after some issues with the government, but as a platform, it has been constantly striving to add more and more features. From a Clubhouse alternative that functions relatively well to the return of the verification process, a lot of things have been happening for the popular micro-blogging site. However, there has always been one issue with Twitter. If a new user tries to sign up to the platform, they are subjected to manual entries via either their phone number or E-mail and, in case they try to login via another device, it might take some time since the OTP process of the platform has been buggy for some time. It seems that this peculiar issue is set to change, as Twitter might be working to make it possible for users to sign in to their account via their connected Google account, rather than constantly fill in all the details. This was first reported by 9To5Google and comes via app investigator Jane Wong, who believes that Twitter is working to enable Google Account integration. What Do We Know About the Feature In case you did not know, since the last couple of years, Google has offered a way for applications to let their users sign in or sign up with just their Google Account, without having to do the tedious task of filling out the user’s email address, entering their name and choosing a password. A screenshot of the upcoming feature reveals Twitter’s sign-in page is showing three options, namely, Sign up, Log in and, a third option includes the statement, Continue with Google. This button should allow a user to link their Google Account to an existing account or create a new account via the Account details that were set during the time of creating the Google account or even logging in with an associated Google Account-based account. As per the report, there are certain ups and downs when it comes to signing in via a service like Sign In with Google. It is however much more convenient for most users. Do note that if your Google Account does get compromised in any instance, the attacker could be able to gain access to your Twitter account or, if for some reason your Google Account is banned, you could be locked out of your account due to the lack of a login client.

Google to Notify Users About Unreliable Search Results Posted: 26 Jun 2021 06:30 AM PDT Google search has nearly provided us with solutions to all our problems. However, there are many instances where search results are not reliable. One of the major reasons behind unreliable search results can be the lack of information about the topic. In a new development, Google will tell the users when the search results are unreliable. The move by Google strives to provide relevant and reliable information to the users. If the results around the topic have a follow-up event, Google will show all the links associated with the post. However, if there is no relevant information around the topic or news, Google will aware the users that the results of the topic are changing rapidly. Google Systems Have Been Trained to Detect Constant Changing Information Danny Sullivan, Public Liason for Search, Google expressed his views in a blog post stating that even though Google search results always strive to provide useful links available on the internet, there are some cases where reliable information that users are searching for is not available. Emerging topics and breaking news are likely to fall first under the unreliable bubble since the information is not available in complete form. However, to provide users with reliable sources, Google has trained its systems to determine the cases where a topic is constantly evolving, and multiple sources are not available to back the information. Google will provide a notice to ask the users to hold for some time and check back later when more information regarding the topic is available. The New Feature Will Commence From United States Google revealed that since last year, it was providing similar notices to let users know when Google is not able to find information that matches the search. Also, Google has launched an About This Result Panel to provide users with information about sources they find on Google Search and determine if they are likely to provide trustworthy information. The added context will aid people in making a trusted decision about the sites that can be trusted. Initially, Google plans to roll out the notices in the United States. However, other countries will get the feature in the coming months.

The Upcoming Realme Book Is a Boon in Disguise For Enthusiasts Posted: 26 Jun 2021 04:38 AM PDT Realme had recently started hinting that it could launch the Realme Book, its first laptop in India and across certain other markets. Since then, certain sites have gone on to leak images of the laptop and showcase the key design, with the company itself having tweeted hints about the device and, in recent times, shown interest in Windows 11, further laying claim to the upcoming laptop from the popular Chinese manufacturer. However, amidst all of the leaks and renders and the subsequent name-calling, considering as to how the product seemed to resemble a certain other company’s MacBook series of laptops, people have missed out on a key element that might change due to the Realme Book. That is exactly what we intend to discuss today. Before we begin, however, it seems fitting to clarify that this article has been written with no association to any company or Realme itself and is rather the author’s point of view on the scenario and how the device could have some effect on the overall market. With that said, let us start on why the Realme Book, at least according to us, could be a boon in disguise. Realme Book: Apple Copycat or Something Different When you first take a look at the Realme Book’s leaked images, you can be forgiven for thinking that it is but a MacBook running Windows and, it seems that many people did seem to think this, as is evident by the widespread reactions to the laptop and the constant supply of memes and jokes regarding the product. Whilst we too see this to be a very MacBook esque design, it is worth noting that this is not the first time Realme has done something like this. If you remember the Realme Buds Air (1st gen), they were identical to the AirPods in the white hue, which also became a major selling point, at least for a small chunk of the audience. So, now that we can agree that it is very reminiscent of Apple’s Mac, the question of why Realme chooses to do this might come to mind. There are three points that we feel need to be made to clarify this and, why, this approach is not as bad as you would think it to be. 1. The first point is in regards to customer perception. Whilst tech fans and enthusiasts might not like to own a product that is similar to, or in some cases identical to something else, there are customers out there who are mesmerised by certain products and designs, to no fault of their own, but they are unable to access the same, for one reason or the other. This was the case with the Realme Buds Air. This is not a fixed answer, since we are no market analysts, but, from our personal experience, it has been noted that people really seemed to like how the Realme Buds Air looked and, most of them opted to buy the White one, which was quite compelling due to the factor of being a lookalike to the Apple product. 2. The second reason for doing so could be in relation to Research and Development. Again, this is not a snide comment or insult to the company, but, the use of a similar or sort of similar design could result in savings in research and design, with that extra cash being focused on other kinds of advancements or products, which is quite smart. 3. The final point and, one due to which we think the Realme Book itself will be successful, if not a hot seller is the ability to commercialise a particular feature or design. With Realme Buds Air, certain other brands seemed to launch lookalikes for similar pricing. Another example could be the 90Hz refresh rate panel, something that was a distant dream until 2020 when Realme launched its 6 series. Post that, multiple budget brands were offering higher refresh rate panels, which was a good thing. This is the exact reason why we believe that the Realme Book could be a good product for the market. From the leaks, we can see that the device might feature a 3:2 panel, something that very few budget brands have to offer. Now, we understand that generic laptop manufacturers like HP, Dell and Acer might not even consider these smartphone brands as proper competition, but, the launch of the Realme Book could result in more people using and, inadvertently finding the 3:2 panel appealing, forcing other brands to bring a feature or design that is limited to the flagship or mid-range segment, as of now. Yes, there are certain companies like Acer that offer such panels for cheaper prices, but it is still a market largely governed by the generic 16:9 panel, which is good, but, for anyone like us who have used a 3:2 panel, they would know of the importance and ease of use that comes with such a panel. As of now, however, the leaks and rumours do seem true and from what we recently saw via a post from the company’s employee, it seems the 3:2 panel is a reality, but unless it launches, we cannot say anything for sure. However, we do feel that if a 3:2 panel sporting Realme Book is launched, it could bring within it a change to the market, for the better.

Making 5G Fly With CI/CD Services Posted: 26 Jun 2021 03:47 AM PDT Since COVID-19 first came to the scene, virtually all sectors – including telecommunications – have faced continuous challenges. Despite these challenges, it came with a few silver linings. We've seen many innovative products and services getting adopted at faster rates than predicted, including some services that were created years ago that have been under-utilised and under-appreciated. A prime example is video conferencing. It has been around for some time now, but it was only in the past year that it became widely adopted by consumers due to booming teleworking trends. Remote delivery is experiencing a similar phenomenon as video conferencing. Remote delivery – which allows for improved efficiency – has existed for nearly a decade or more, but it was not practised in the telecom industry to a larger degree. Then along came the pandemic, which brought forth rapidly shifting consumer behaviours, and consequently, the evolution of many technologies, practices. Expectations of stakeholders have also changed, thus telecom services have achieved greater adoption of remote working. Networks will continue to become increasingly software-driven, particularly 5G networks with cloud-native cores offering new communication features and services. One of the main enablers for achieving 5G outcomes is automation. Embracing DevOps by communications service providers (CSPs) will improve automation to a greater extent, hence CSPs must embrace continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) as the starting point for DevOps. DevOps CI/CD improves service reliability and efficiency, accelerates new features and services rollouts, and reduce risk to operational networks – all while managing the complexity of micro-services changes. The Challenge of Implementing CI/CD Implementing CI/CD requires a major cultural change, particularly for operators that deploy and operate traditional networks through waterfall release cycles for software. These operators often have internal operations setup that reflects the multiple domains and functions of their networks, which are complex and siloed. Thus, unifying across these domains and functions into a single seamless operation is a challenge. This complexity has become a frequent pain point for operators when deciding to adopt CI/CD. Initially, there are the legacy systems with unique proprietary hardware and software configurations that have been operated quite rigidly for a while, sometimes for decades, with specific processes and practices. On top of this, every network is unique in its network design and configuration. In a multi-domain network, this means that every CSP has a distinctive network setup that poses challenges for direct software deployment from R&D. To help CSPs overcome these challenges, vendors and operators have been preparing for a long time in the evolution of networks by leveraging technologies such as test automation, network function virtualisation (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN), embracing digital transformation and becoming more agile. With 5G no longer 'on the horizon' but currently being rolled out, it is high time for CSPs to implement CI/CD services, which can enable them to transform faster and tap into the many capabilities offered by 5G. How CSPs Can Embrace CI/CD? Embracing CI/CD and realizing the benefits of a DevOps-style, iterative software development in the telecoms networks requires the ability to address unique environments and their associated challenges. Adapting DevOps practices to suit a unique network of CPS can be achieved through Delivery Operations or DelOps solution. The similarity between DevOps and DelOps is no coincidence, DelOps is essentially a reimagined DevOps. It can overcome the complexity of the operator's environment by employing high levels of automation and integration. What differentiates DelOps from DevOps is that it incorporates customisation steps into the process to suit each environment or platform. DelOps uses a many-to-many delivery and operations process with design, deploy, test and operate phases – ideal for telecom environments. To best implement a DelOps solution, CSPs and operators must form the right partnerships to establish a CI/CD framework that complements their unique operational environment. The key here is flexibility. An ideal CI/CD framework can integrate with any cloud environment, whether realized on virtual machines, containers or bare metal. Once implemented, CI/CD framework automates the processes required for each distinctive environment in the CSP's network. Some partners may even leverage proprietary Agile Integration Methodology (AIM). Through the right partnerships, CSPs can ensure the highest reliability of continuous integration and continuous delivery holistically across their operations. Harness the Power of 5G With DelOps DelOps CI/CD services offer seamless automation in delivery and operations, which is the key to making 5G fly. To harness the power of 5G calls for investment in tools, processes, skills enhancement and fostering an open collaborative and creative environment. DelOps is made for complex CSP environment as it takes into consideration the specifics of operator unique networks and its configuration while automating the deployment and operations function. First, DelOps leverages agile processes to reduce rollout cycle times and time-to-market for new products, features and services. When DelOps seamlessly merges with a CSP's environment, it then enables the automation of continuous delivery and deployment, ensuring that the CSP's network is always up-to-date, and new services can efficiently launch with speed. DelOps requires less effort to conduct acceptance testing, as well as track and manage release features. It can innovate and resolve issues faster, sometimes before subscribers are even aware, thus ensuring seamless customer experiences and continued satisfaction. Lastly, with comprehensive automation, DelOps can manage the complexity of micro-services upgrades. Transforming to a software-driven paradigm will undeniably come with challenges, both technologically and organisationally. But with 5G already on the runway, CSPs should begin adopting CI/CD services to achieve a smooth operational journey. This way, they can evolve their networks to the highest level of performance and competitiveness to generate new revenues, and ultimately, ensure the best possible customer experience. By – Santosh Shingate, Pre Sales Manager, Cloud and Network Services, Nokia

Tata Sky Channel Packs Are Getting Expensive Posted: 26 Jun 2021 02:20 AM PDT Tata Sky is the number one Direct-to-Home (DTH) operator in India. The company has been providing satellite TV services for more than a decade now. Changes in services and the cost of the channel packs are quite normal to see. Several Tata Sky Channel packs are now getting expensive. The company will be discontinuing the old channel packs starting June 25, 2021, and will move the users to the nearest fit pack. Tata Sky Users Will Still Get all The Old Channels With Nearest Fit Packs Tata Sky will be shifting the users from their old channel packs to the nearest fit packs. There are several channel packs that will be affected due to this. To name a few, channel packs including Hindi Basic, Hindi Basic HD, Hindi Basic HD 2 MH, Family Sports HD New, Family Kids Sports MH New, and more. Note that the users will still get all the channels they were getting in their older packs. Further, there won't be much big of a change in the benefits and the services that the users were receiving. But the price of the nearest fit pack that Tata Sky will be shifting the users into would cost slightly more. It isn't a very big price hike, but it is something that people won't ignore. For example, the 'Bengali Hindi Music' pack that came for Rs 343.90 will be discontinued, and the users subscribed to the pack will be shifted to the Bengali Hindi Basic Pack that will cost Rs 349.87. So it is a price hike of approximately Rs 7 with the above-mentioned channel pack. However, it is worth noting that the users will get more channels with an increased price of the packs. Tata Sky will now offer 73 channels with the Bengali Hindi Basic Pack against the 72 channels it offered with the Bengali Hindi Music pack. Likewise, there are several other channel packs that have been affected by the price hike. But in the same manner, all of them come with one or more extra channels for the users. It is not exactly a price hike, but the company is looking to up its revenues with the current move. Not many users will be worried about this since the price movement is marginal, and they are also getting an extra channel at the same time.

Windows 11 Will Mandate HD Cameras on Laptops Starting 2023 Posted: 25 Jun 2021 11:52 PM PDT In today’s day and age, Laptops and PCs have become increasingly useful, since most tasks, be it schooling or office work, have been moved to the online medium. Due to this, lots of tasks that were done physically are now done via the internet and, in doing so, at times at least, people choose to communicate via video conferencing rather than a plain audio call. Whilst doing so, at least in your Windows laptop, you might have noticed that even the best laptops often lack decent cameras, with good webcams being a distant dream. Well, that is set to change with Windows 11, as it will supposedly mandate the use of a good, high res camera for ODMs and Laptop manufacturers. In two years time, your future Windows 11 based laptop will be required to feature a camera on it, since Microsoft has demanded the same with Windows 11. As part of the news that comes with the operating system, Microsoft recently declared that from January 1, 2023, all new laptops that will be running on Windows 11 will be mandated to offer a front-facing camera. What Does the Policy Specify? For privacy nerds, it might be time to go to the store and pick up a piece of tape, in case you are a bit concerned about all of this, but, for the more rationale consumer, this is great news, especially if they do remote work or have multiple meetings to attend and are tired of using the USB-based webcam that they had to splurge for, given the lack of an integrated module on their laptops. This policy is actually quite beneficial and will influence the quality of the cameras that will be equipped on laptops starting 2023, as it has been specified that they must have a resolution of High-Definition (HD) or higher, Auto Exposure (AE) and Auto White Balance (AWB). This will inadvertently bring a close to the days of 480p cameras, since a massive company like Microsoft is demanding an end to the outdated and substandard cameras, it is but a matter of time before inferior products no longer exist. Don’t get too ecstatic however, as has been mentioned earlier, this requirement will be applicable to new laptops being sold by OEMs in 2023 and not today, so you will have to wait for two years for this to become a standard rule.

JioPhone Next User Experience Key for Adoption Than Pricing Say Analysts Posted: 25 Jun 2021 09:05 PM PDT JioPhone Next, the upcoming smartphone "jointly developed" by Jio Platforms, a majority-owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries, and Google will have to deliver on user experience for large scale adoption, say multiple analysts. Initially announced in July 2020, Mukesh Ambani, Reliance Industries chairman at the company's annual general meeting on Thursday, shared further details of the smartphone. Ambani said that the upcoming JioPhone Next will be "by far, amongst the most affordable smartphone not just in India, but globally." However, Edelweiss Research, a leading domestic institutional brokerage house on Thursday said that it believes "price is not a key challenge in smartphone adoption in India." JioPhone Next Need to Deliver "Long Lasting Battery," Say, Analysts Ambani said the JioPhone Next will be "powered by an extremely optimised version of the Android Operating System" and that the device features include voice assistant, language translation and smart camera with augmented reality filters. In a joint release on Thursday, Google and Jio said that the device will enable users to "easily access and consume content in a choice of Indian languages." However, the companies did not provide a price point for the JioPhone Next but revealed that the device will be available starting September 10, 2021. Edelweiss Research said that the smartphone price on average in India is "well over" US$150, roughly translating to Rs 11,130. Crucially, the firm also said that there is "low demand for smartphones" priced between Rs 4000 to Rs 7000. "Many users prefer feature phones due to their ruggedness, long-lasting battery and less complex UI," Edelweiss Research said in a report on Thursday. "Hence, we believe [the] new 4G phone may cannibalise other brands, but fail to attract [a] significant proportion of feature phone subscribers." The firm highlighted that Reliance Jio between 2016 to 2017 "launched affordable 4G smartphones under LYF brand" including Flame, Wind, Water and Earth series but that its "success was limited." The devices under the LYF brand were priced between Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999, with the Earth being its premium device. Motilal Oswal Financial Services, an Indian diversified financial services firm shared similar sentiments with the firm also highlighting that the existing JioPhone has had an "limited impact" on Bharti Airtel. "It has historically proved challenging to upgrade customers from the low-income bracket (the product's target market) to high data consumption packs," Motilal Oswal said in its report on Thursday. "Therefore, RIL may offer long term plans to subsidize the device cost and monthly spend, extending the return on investment." The firm also said the "long-lasting and high data consumption capability" and its durability along with the pricing will determine the "success" of JioPhone Next. However, Motilal Oswal said the "success" of JioPhone Next "could pose a risk" to the "non-data" user base of Airtel and Vodafone Idea who are "yet to upgrade to 4G." Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel "May Come Out" with "Competitive Strategy" Meanwhile, Deepa Dhingra, senior telecom analyst at GlobalData told TelecomTalk that Jio will "likely" launch JioPhone Next with "free data packages to undercut the competition." "We believe that the strategy would accelerate the consumer transition from feature phones to smartphones bringing more Indians online, and particularly over Jio's Network," Dhingra told TelecomTalk. Dhingra said that the JioPhone Next has "already stirred the conversation regarding new combating strategy from Airtel and Vodafone Idea." The GlobalData telecom analyst also said that the "transition of 2G users to 4G services will definitely gain momentum with the availability of affordable 4G smartphones" like JioPhone Next. "Jio is looking to take advantage of the growing need of high-speed services amid the pandemic," Dhingra said in an email interview. "The move may affect new subscription additions for Airtel and Vodafone Idea but we can't comment on long term impact as these operators too may come out with some competitive strategy." Dhingra said that the company expects the JioPhone Next price to be below Rs 5000, "inclusive of data packages" and highlighted that the "free 4G services" worked for Jio in its early days. The GlobalData telecom analyst said that the strategy used by Jio in its early days aided the operator to "gain a substantial user base and become the leading player." "In India, affordability remains a primary factor for mobile users," Dhingra said. "Low prices of smartphones are most likely to attract a significant number of feature phone users for Jio for whom affordability has remained a crucial factor." Dhingra also highlighted that the existing JioPhone enabled the operator to acquire 100 million users. It has to be noted that the Telecom Subscription Data for the period ended March 31, 2021, released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India highlights that Jio recorded over 79 lakh gross user additions. Motilal Oswal said that Reliance Jio received a "boost" from the relaunch of JioPhone in March. The firm also highlighted that the operator in the previous six to seven month period recorded a "muted" user addition of around 10 lakhs to 20 lakhs per month.

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