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• Windows 11 Feels Like Microsoft’s Bid to Take on Chrome OS
• Telecom Equipment Providers Exceed DoT Expectations in PLI Investment
• Samsung Galaxy M02 Now Retails for Rs 1,000 More Than Its Original Price Tag
• OnePlus Nord 2 5G to Feature OxygenOS-ColorOS Integrated Codebase
• BSNL Employees’ Unions Seek Withdrawal of Officers Posted From DoT
• Samsung May Revolutionise Smartphone Cameras Once Again With Galaxy S22 Ultra
• Budget 5G Smartphones You Can Buy Today Under Rs 20,000
• DoT Owes BSNL Rs 30,000 Crore, Union Demands Fast Provision of Financial Aid
• Verizon Starts Rolling Out 5G Services And Internet Gateway Router With 1 Gbps Speed
• SpaceX to Team Up With Local Partners to Produce Satcom Gears in India
• Nothing Ear 1 Will Face a Great Challenge in India
• Android 12 Will Change How Users Play Games
• When Will 5G Networks Go Live in India?
• Broadband Plans With OTT Services Might Be Unnecessarily Expensive
• OnePlus Has an Answer to the 9 Series Geekbench Throttling Report
• Vodafone Idea, Airtel Offer This Benefit that Jio, BSNL Don’t
• Vodafone Deploys 5G Core SA With the Help of Ericsson

Windows 11 Feels Like Microsoft’s Bid to Take on Chrome OS Posted: 13 Jul 2021 08:30 AM PDT As most readers might already know, Windows 11 marks the biggest update for the popular operating system ever since the launch of Windows 8. What has caught out most users is how easy and light it is to use, but some have failed to notice the eery similarities to Chrome OS, something that seems to be strategic in nature. The reason for this could be mated to Windows 10X, a separate version of Windows 10, that was in the works for devices opting for dual-screen support or newer laptops. That stands cancelled as of now, with the intentions of doing so related to the lack of importance. In correlation to this, however, it was announced that its features would come to other Windows versions. Certain people have been quick to make jokes about how Windows 11 is just macOS Big Sur, at least in certain areas, but, in reality, it feels like Windows 10 had a baby with Chrome OS. Windows 10X was originally designed to cater to multi-display laptops, which then became a potential candidate for cheaper laptops that might have had a chance to take on Chromebooks, but now, owing to the cancellation of Windows 10X, it seems that these features will now be added to Windows 11. Windows 11 and Android Applications When Microsoft decides to release the final stable build of Windows 11, users will be allowed to install Android apps via the use of Amazon to allow for downloads of Android Apps. Whilst this might not seem to be a big thing to some, Windows Store has not always provided the best catalogue, often being trumped by what Chrome OS has to offer. There are concerns regarding this new addition since Amazon’s App Store is notorious for being a bit buggy, especially on Amazon Fire tablets. The Play Store, in comparison, is so widely regarded and used that it feels odd to think that a market leader like Microsoft chose to opt for an inferior brand, at least in terms of popularity. This partnership could hint at a partnership between Microsoft and Amazon, with the aim to bring in more developers. There could be an integration to allow for developers to create and upload apps easily to the App Store, but the choice seems quirky, for lack of a better word. Windows 11’s New Interface Reminds You of Chrome OS Windows 11 reminds you of Chrome OS in areas such as the Widget Tray and Taskbar. The taskbar especially will remind you of Chromebooks, and for good measure. Upon boot up, we were taken aback over how similar the two trays look, from the centre placement to the better-looking icons, nothing major, but something that will appeal to most. The Widget Tray too acts as a standout, providing greater information in contrast to MSN News and weather updates. If Microsoft allows users to use widgets from Android apps, it could be a gamechanger, but even as of now, the widget tray is far more useful and, as someone who opted to never open the same, it has been refreshing to catch up with some key details throughout the day. Another area where Microsoft hits the home run is window management. Earlier, a user would have to rely on dragging windows from their edges and reshaping them on their own, but in Windows 11, a small pop-up appears, prompting the user with four different configurations as to how to set the specific windows on the desktop. As a user who is usually keeping tabs on their social media handles whilst on the go, this tool is a small yet appreciated addition to the latest version of Windows 11. Chrome OS lacks such a feature, at least as of now. To be frank, it feels as though Windows 11 has completely changed, from the settings, which has been redesigned to a massive extent, to the overall ease of use, one will appreciate the latest version of the popular operating system. Key details like the wallpaper preview too hint at an increased focus for two-in-ones instead of the conventional laptop. What makes us interested is how Windows 11 will impact the budget laptop segment since it is currently ruled by Chromebooks and Chrome OS-based laptops, but with this lighter than usual and easier to use operating system, there might just be a change in how to budget laptops are perceived, for better or for worse.

Telecom Equipment Providers Exceed DoT Expectations in PLI Investment Posted: 13 Jul 2021 07:31 AM PDT The central government's Production Linked Incentive scheme is touted to be one of the propellors of production of telecom equipment in the country in the coming years. In an environment where the Chinese telecom manufacturers are looked at with raised eyebrows and the European ones are considered too costly given the industry's current situation, domestic production seems to be the way out. This is the reason why DoT invited proposals from both international and domestic manufacturers, and it seems the interest of companies has far expected the DoT's estimation. DoT’s Target Exceeded by Telecom Makers’ Interests The DoT's target was set at Rs 3,000 crore of investment from these telecom equipment manufacturers, including both international and domestic companies. However, it seems that as many as 36 companies, including both the groups, are ready to make an investment of Rs 4,500 crore in the sector and have applied to the DoT for the same. The earmarked funds include Rs 12,195 crore for micro, small & medium enterprises (MSME). This fund will be given to the companies over the period of 5 years and not all at once. This scheme includes components like interest subvention. Both International and Domestic Telecom Manufacturers Apply Nokia, Ericsson, through its vendor Jabil, Foxconn's Rising Star, Sanmina, Sterlite Technologies, and Cisco, were the ones who applied under the foreign companies tag for the PLI. Missing from this list was one big name of Samsung, which is the telecom equipment provider for Reliance Jio. In the domestic manufacturer’s category, companies like HFCL, Tejas, Tech Mahindra, Akshata, a Tata Consultancy Services company, VVDN Technologies, and Dixon Technologies applied for Rs 457 crore assistance. The PLI scheme is aimed at reducing the import expenses which the Indian companies incur; this includes a Rs 50,000 crore bill every year on telecom equipment. As per the DoT's estimate, this investment by the companies will generate Rs 2 lakh crore over the course of the next five years in exports. As for the recent applications, SIDBI is doing due diligence.

Samsung Galaxy M02 Now Retails for Rs 1,000 More Than Its Original Price Tag Posted: 13 Jul 2021 07:16 AM PDT The brunt of supply chains and the stopping of production in many factories around the world is playing its effects in almost a ripple fashion. Indian consumers are no exception to this and are taking the beating of the increasing prices of smartphones. If you are someone who was looking to buy a smartphone, then you might want to wait right now since the price of Samsung phones, which happens to be the top choice for a lot of Indians right now, has been revised multiple times in the last one month. In the latest development, the Samsung Galaxy M02, a budget device launched a while back in India, has suffered from a second price hike. Details About Samsung Galaxy M02 To give you an overview, two variants of the Galaxy M02 include the 2GB + 32GB and 3GB + 32GB one. These phones, when landed in the Indian market, they bore a moniker of Rs 6,999 and Rs 7,499, respectively. In case you are interested in the specifications of the device, the Galaxy M02 by Samsung comes with a 6.5-inch HD+ LCD for the screen; the chipset is a MediaTek MT6739W SoC, 13MP (wide) + 2MP (macro) dual-camera setup, 5MP selfie camera, and it packs a massive 5,000mAh battery. Other Samsung Phones Also Become Costlier The story of the pricing of this device is certainly a gawky one since the first price hike on the Galaxy M02 a few days back, in which Samsung raised the price of the device by a solid Rs 500. Now yet again, Samsung has increased this device's price by another Rs 500. This, in turn, means that the Galaxy M02 variant of 2GB and 32GB is available for Rs 7,999 and the other 3GB and 32GB variant is available for Rs 8,499. This is not the end of the story, though, since it's important to know that only a few days back, Samsung had raised the prices of other devices like Galaxy F02s, Galaxy M02s, and the Galaxy A12 as well.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G to Feature OxygenOS-ColorOS Integrated Codebase Posted: 13 Jul 2021 06:49 AM PDT In the last couple of weeks, OnePlus has offered more and more information in regards to the upcoming OnePlus Nord 2 5G. Certain such things are the key specifications, launch date and display size and specifications, all of which provide insight in relation to what one can expect from the company’s next Nord-series offering. Today, however, XDA Developers has revealed that the OnePlus Nord 2 5G is set to be the first OnePlus handset to feature the new hybrid codebase of OxygenOS and ColorOS, OxygenOS 11.3. In case you missed it, earlier this month, the company had announced that it would be integrating OxygenOS with sister company Oppo’s ColorOS operating system, with a follow-up announcement revealing that both companies were being merged in all ways except the exact name. OnePlus to Launch Nord 2 5G with OxygenOS 11.3 We can also expect future OnePlus devices to follow in the footsteps of the Nord 2 5G. In relation to this, the Head of Product for OnePlus, Oliver Zhang told the publication that the main idea when it comes to the codebase integration was to streamline OnePlus’s R&D resources, which should help the company to deliver more timely and more stable software updates for its devices, whilst being able to maintain the devices for longer. From a user perspective, he added that not much would change on a daily basis whilst using OxygenOS. Nord 2 users will be able to experience the same fast and smooth experience that users have come to expect from OnePlus. The other OnePlus devices’ software will also use the new codebase with the Android 12 update, which is far from being released to the public. OnePlus might even make use of some ColorOS features and use them in future OxygenOS builds. Chinese OEMs are also free to take hints from each other, and as of now, approximately every Android skin made by a Chinese OEM has a similar set of features. When it comes to other OnePlus related news, the company recently announced that the OnePlus Nord 2 5G would feature support for 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates and will come with OxygenOS 11 out of the box. This is in line with the announcement made by the company at the time of its merger, adding that the Nord series of devices would get 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates for the devices.

BSNL Employees’ Unions Seek Withdrawal of Officers Posted From DoT Posted: 13 Jul 2021 05:53 AM PDT All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB) has raked up the issue of "excess officers" who are on deputation from the DoT and asked for their recall, as the company is finding it difficult to pay its own staff salary. A withdrawal of these officers would help the company save Rs 100 crore per year, while Sanchar Nigam Executives' Association (SNEA), which also raised the same demand earlier, had sought their immediate redeployment to high-revenue circles. State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd's (BSNL) employees unions have sought withdrawal of officers posted from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) on deputation, as the operator is struggling to pay salaries of its own staff. BSNL Wants to Save Rs 100 Crore The All Unions and Associations of BSNL (AUAB), the umbrella organisation of all unions of the company, is the latest one to seek recall of "excess officers", claiming it would help in savings of about Rs 100 crore per annum. About 425 senior officers – Principal General Managers (PGMs) and General Managers (GMs) – are on deputation from DoT, which is creating a huge financial liability to the company. This is an excess of 225 personnel as per the Union Cabinet decision of November 3, 2013. Strangely, this comes at a time when BSNL has reduced its own employees by more than 50 per cent through a voluntary retirement scheme a year back. Further, the Government's decision to depute an additional 15 GM and PGMs early this year is adding to the woes. According to AUAB, about 20 PGMs and GMs are in excess at BSNL Co itself. Similarly, the number of PGM and GMs posted in the circle offices are "exorbitantly high" compared to that in other major circles. Many large circles with revenues of more than Rs 50-100 crore does not have PGMs or GMs, and many of them are posted at places of their choice and not where they are required. AUAB has also taken up the issue with BSNL Chairman and Managing Director P.K. Purwar and Telecom Secretary Anshu Prakash. As per an earlier Union Cabinet decision, no DGMs were to be posted with BSNL from 2021-22 onwards, and all of them were to be sent back to DoT. This also comes at a time when BSNL has capable and experienced officers to handle all the DGM posts. However, this is not the first time a BSNL union has raised this issue. Earlier in March, Sanchar Nigam Executives' Association (SNEA) had also asked the government to withdraw 128 additional PGMs and General Managers (GMs) working with the company on deputation. In case of a delay in recall of these officers, SNEA had sought their redeployment to major business areas or to field units for "optimum utilisation". In 2020, about 78,569 employees, nearly half of its total 1,53,000 employees, opted for VRS, which were mostly in the non-executive category and in the age group of 55-60 years. Earlier in March this year, a parliamentary standing committee report said that BSNL would not be able to make profits, at least for another two years, despite saving nearly Rs 10,000 crore annually following the VRS.

Samsung May Revolutionise Smartphone Cameras Once Again With Galaxy S22 Ultra Posted: 13 Jul 2021 05:11 AM PDT Samsung has never been shy to play the game of risk or reward, with most of its steps resulting in rewards, but, in the case of the first-gen Fold, the game seems to have tipped against the giant. Other such examples include the Note series of devices, which, at the time of inception were subject to criticism, but, ten odd years down the line, there is nothing but praise for the devices offered under the series, which often one-up regular smartphones, at times even S-series of devices. Today, a report from South Korean publication PulseNews seems to suggest that Samsung might be on the verge of another such risk or reward scenario, as the successor to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra could be the company’s first smartphone to feature camera technology from famed Japanese brand Olympus. This comes after famed brands like Vivo and OnePlus have announced strategic camera-based partnerships, with the latter having opted for Hasselblad optics for the OnePlus 9 Pro smartphone. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Could Opt for Olympus 200MP Primary Sensor The publication has claimed that the Galaxy S22 Ultra might feature a Penta-lens camera system with the highlighting feature being a 200MP primary sensor sporting Olympus branding. The report adds that the Galaxy S22 Ultra will also feature S Pen support. It is also important to note that this is not the first instance of rumours suggesting that Samsung could partner with Japanese brand Olympus for future handsets, but, back in April, Samsung-related leaker Ice Universe had claimed that the two companies may work together so as to bring sensor-shift technology to the top smartphones on offer. This report does however contradict a previous rumour that had suggested the presence of a third-gen 108MP sensor, with the other two handsets of the series, the S22 and S22 Plus tipped to feature upgraded 50MP main sensors. Another highlighting point of the upcoming series of devices is the rumour of the Samsung Galaxy S22 series featuring Samsung’s first Exynos chip complete with AMD GPUs. Do note that the North American variants of all three phones seem likely to opt for Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 successor for the performance side of things. Alongside these camera specifications in relation to the next generation of Samsung’s flagships, the report also suggests a possible debut month of January 2022 for the Samsung Galaxy S22 series, which is not at all surprising, considering how the Galaxy S21 series of devices went live in January of 2021.

Budget 5G Smartphones You Can Buy Today Under Rs 20,000 Posted: 13 Jul 2021 04:01 AM PDT Since 5G is near the shore, smartphone manufacturers are developing 5G enabled smartphones with high-end specifications and a modest price range. Some of the renowned smartphones manufacturers like Realme, Oppo and iQoo have launched premium 5G smartphones under Rs 20,000. If you are looking for 5G smartphones in a nominal price range, follow this article to the end to get complete details of the budgeted devices. Oppo A53s 5G Oppo A53s 5G is said to be one of the cheapest 5G smartphones launched by Oppo in the Indian market. The smartphone is priced at Rs 14,990 for the 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. Oppo A53s 5G is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 700 SoC bundled with 6GB and 8GB RAM options. The internal storage of Oppo A53s 5G is expandable up to 1TB via a microSD card. The device is backed by a 5,000 mAh battery with a USB Type-C port for fast charging. Oppo A74 5G Oppo A74 5G packs modest features like Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, fast charging feature and more. The smartphone is available for Rs 17,990 for 6GB RAM and 128GB storage option. Under the veil, the smartphone is powered by a 5000 mAh battery with 18W fast charging support. Not only this, but the device also features a multi-cooling system for thermal heat management. Realme 8 5G Realme is also launching 5G enabled smartphones to make users ready for the next-generation technology. Realme 8 5G is available for Rs 14,499 for 4GB RAM and 64GB storage variant. The device runs on an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 700 processor and runs on Realme UI 2.0 based on Android 11. As for camera specifications, Realme 8 5G packs 48MP primary camera. It also sports a 16MP camera towards the front. Realme X7 Another 5G smartphone from Realme which packs intriguing features is the Realme X7. The smartphone is priced at Rs 18,999 for 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. Realme X7 is powered by Dimensity 800U 5G processor. Under the hood, the Realme X7 is backed by a 4300 mAh battery. The phone runs on Realme UI 2.0. iQOO Z3 5G The iQOO Z3 5G is priced at Rs 19,990 for a 6GB RAM and 128GB storage variant. iQOO Z3 5G is packed with Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G. Users get the option to expand the internal storage up to 1TB using a microSD card slot. The device runs on Funtouch OS 11.1 based on Android 11 out of the box.

DoT Owes BSNL Rs 30,000 Crore, Union Demands Fast Provision of Financial Aid Posted: 13 Jul 2021 03:09 AM PDT Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) might fasten up its financial conditions with some help from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). As the telecom ministry has come under a new head, highly touted as being one of the most qualified ministers in the present cabinet, Ashwini Vaishnaw was presented with a letter from BSNL Mazdoor Sangh. The letter by the Union of BSNL employees was basically a plea to the DoT to pay the dues back to BSNL, which the DoT to owes to the public telecom company. As per the letter, these dues run north of Rs 30,000 crore. BSNL Looking to Rehire Employees Who Were Given VRS The letter formulated by the BSNL employees' union wrote that the dues should be paid back to the telecom company at the earliest, which would help the telco in functioning with vigor and would also help it in taking care of its employees. As per the report of ET Telecom, the said amount includes a Viability Gap Funding of Rs 13,789 crore. In addition, there is also the Rs 8,300 crore amount for the surrendered CDMA and Wimax spectrum. Lastly, an aid of Rs 1,051 crore for the BharatNet project. BSNL Union Demands Fast Repayment of Dues BSNL has been caught up in the loop of poor decision-making and abrupt management. Back in 2019, the government had approved a Rs 69,000 crore package for the telecom company to get it back on its track and leading forward towards a merger of MTNL and BSNL. This also included giving VRS to the employees, which almost 50% of the BSNL workforce opted for. However, now after seeing the wrath of operational losses, BSNL is looking to rehire some of these employees. Not only this, BSNL faced criticism from the center on its poor marketing techniques, which were leading to the loss of subscribers. Also, not to mention the delay in 4G network rollout, which is slated to happen robustly at least almost a year from now,

Verizon Starts Rolling Out 5G Services And Internet Gateway Router With 1 Gbps Speed Posted: 13 Jul 2021 01:51 AM PDT Verizon, one of the most prominent telecom companies in the USA, has started rolling out 5G services to its customers in multiple cities. It is worth noting that this is not the first time Verizon is rolling out these services. While the Indian telecom industry drags under the burden of spectrum auction dues and ailing tariff prices, companies across the world are rolling out 5G services already. In this latest development, Verizon has started launching the 5G service alongside expanded LTE service. The subscribers of Verizon will also be able to upgrade to a new router as per the latest announcement. Many New Cities Come Under Verizon 5G Umbrella Verizon CRO Frank Boulben said that the company continues to lead in the industry owing to its fast, reliable services, and now the customers will have more options as they will be able to have access to the Verizon Internet Gateway device. The seven additional regions that Verizon has added to its list include Akron OH, Ann Arbor MI, Columbia SC, Durham NC, Fresno CA, Spokane WA, St. Petersburg FL. Verizon also noted that the customers who sign up for its 5G service will be able to experience speeds up to 1 Gbps. Also, as we noted above, Verizon is not only rolling out 5G services but also expanded the 4G LTE network as well. Under this, the subscribers will have access to speeds of 25 Mbps with maximum speeds going up to 50 Mbps. Verizon 5G Internet Gateway Router In addition to all these network services, Verizon has also launched the Internet Gateway router, which will not only support 4G services but will also be enabled for the 5G network with C band services. However, the 5G services will be accessible only after a firmware update. It remains to be seen who joins the telecom race in this manner in the USA. Meanwhile, in the Indian subcontinent, Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio continue to lead the 5G trials.

SpaceX to Team Up With Local Partners to Produce Satcom Gears in India Posted: 13 Jul 2021 12:58 AM PDT The American aerospace manufacturer SpaceX is heavily investing in satellite broadband services to provide a high-speed internet connection to users. In the latest development, SpaceX is planning to partner with Indian companies to produce satellite communications equipment, including antenna systems and user terminal devices in the domestic region. SpaceX is gearing up to launch Starlink satellite broadband services in the Indian market next year to provide fast and reliable internet connections. Matt Botwin, director of the Starlink program, stated that SpaceX is pumped to open new doors to work with the Indian industry for producing essential equipment for its Starlink devices. Satellite Broadband Space in India is Going to Elevate Next Year Botwin further added that SpaceX always looks for opportunities to increase the efficiency of the global supply chain. Now the company is investing in its partners in India to recognise the opportunities. As reported by ET Telecom, DoT hosted a meeting some time back with global satellite companies to discuss a blueprint for domestic manufacturing satellite communications gears and develop an enabling regulatory regime for global low earth (LEO) satellite constellation operators. The meeting witnessed the participation of Viasat, OneWeb, Department of Space, Vodafone Idea, Bharti Airtel and more. The Indian satellite broadband space is expected to thrive in the next year as renowned firms like SpaceX, OneWeb, and Kuiper is looking forward to offering high-speed internet connection to users. SpaceX has been working with the Indian industrial sector for a long period for the development of its rocket. Now the company is focused on producing hardware and satellite components in India. SpaceX is Expected to Rollout Satellite Broadband Services in India by 2022 SpaceX has started taking pre-orders for its beta version of Starlink satellite internet service in India for a deposit amount of $99. It is expected that Starlink satellite broadband services might hit in Indian market by 2022. However, the launch will be subjected to regulatory approvals. Currently, satellite players are covering the 28GHz spectrum with a band range from 27.5 GHz to 29.5 GHz. The said band is highly effective and crucial for 5G services. Telecom operators, on the other side, have addressed to DoT that the unavailability of 28GHz spectrum would increase the 5G deployment costs, and it unaffordable in the country. .

Nothing Ear 1 Will Face a Great Challenge in India Posted: 13 Jul 2021 12:12 AM PDT Nothing Ear 1 has been in the news for the last few weeks. Something or the other about the much anticipated truly wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds has been coming up on the online tech communities around India. Even though the hype around the product is really good, there lies a very big challenge for it in India. The company has already revealed the Indian price of the product, which will be Rs 5,999. The TWS earbuds are all set to launch on July 27; however, it’s really hard to say if it will be successful because of multiple factors. Nothing Ear 1 Comes Without Solid Branding Look, it isn't that Carl Pie hasn't become a strong brand himself. Even though the OnePlus co-founder has come up with the new brand, it will take a lot of time for the market to actually be able to trust its products. The company will have to invest heavily in marketing itself in the Indian market. One of the biggest challenges that Nothing will face in India is to ask people to pay Rs 6K for a product that's coming out of a totally new brand. Yes, it won't be just like every other TWS earbuds out there, but it is still costly. If there's one thing that companies have understood about the Indian markets, it is that Indians don't spend money that easily on new things. Nothing Might Have Another Surprise for the Indians Nothing has revealed the price of the TWS earbuds much before the launch. This is frankly strange, and no company does this. That is why I believe that Nothing could be playing a larger game here. The company might launch the earbuds at a discounted rate than what it has already announced in the market. The discounted rate might make the user feel that it is such a good deal that he/she is getting Rs 6K earbuds for much lesser. One thing that we know about Carl Pie's time at OnePlus is that he is a very intelligent person and someone who knows how to excite users. Note that this is just my assumption and not something that has actually been conveyed by the company to me.

Android 12 Will Change How Users Play Games Posted: 12 Jul 2021 11:42 PM PDT   Android 12 is being perceived as the biggest change to the Android Operating System (OS) in the last few years. With the Android 12, users will notice fresh UI and more functions that they have never seen on an Android smartphone. The aim of Google is to make Android 12 more user friendly and also make the smartphone experience safer for the users by focusing a great deal on the privacy features. One area where Android 12 is taking a major leap is the Play Store. With the Android 12, users will be able to play a game they are downloading in the background directly through the Play Store. So how will this feature exactly work? Let's find out. Google 'Play as You Download' Feature Google will be providing users with a 'Play as You Download' option inside the Play Store. The search engine giant announced this at its Game Developer Summit. Through this feature, users will be able to jump into the game within seconds while its assets are being downloaded in the background. This feature will enable users in understanding whether they really like the game in the first place or not. If they don't like it, they can stop the download right away or uninstall the game later. Further, users who are excited about a big game but have to wait long periods before they can play it will also not feel bored during downloading the game. The new 'Play as you Download' feature from Google is something that iOS (on iPhones) can also incorporate to enhance user experience. There are more changes and fresh features that Android 12 will be bringing to the table for enhancing how a user interacts with a smartphone. More details about the Android 12 will be out soon as its official stable version rollout date is nearby.

When Will 5G Networks Go Live in India? Posted: 12 Jul 2021 11:02 PM PDT 5G networks are what everyone is waiting for in India. Some of the other prominent countries including the US and the UK already have commercial 5G networks. But India is currently in the testing phase of the next-generation network and is looking to develop relevant use cases. 5G in India is still quite far away because of three things – a) delayed 5G spectrum auctions, b) ongoing testing, and c) it naturally takes time to upgrade networks once the testing is done. So when will India really see the power of 5G? 5G in India, Launch Date and What You Should Know 5G networks will need different bands of spectrum than what 4G operates in. The telcos will look to stock all the sub-GHz, mid, and mmWave bands. Firstly, there is a big threat of the 5G spectrum auctions being delayed because the Indian Navy that has 100 MHz of airwaves in the 3.3 GHz – 3.4 GHz band isn't ready to vacate it for 5G. If the auctions are delayed, it means a prolonged period for 5G networks to roll out. Then, there is the issue of spectrum pricing. The telcos want the government to reduce the price of spectrum in the sub-GHz band (700 MHz) to ensure that the network rollout is feasible. Everything considered from the delays in the 5G spectrum auctions, testing, and more, it is very unlikely that Indian telcos will be able to launch 5G networks in the first quarter of CY22. The operators can do a soft launch of 5G in metro cities leveraging the 4G core but that would just ruin the experience for 4G users because of limited network capacity. Looking at the conditions now, it feels like India will at best see a live commercial 5G network in the second quarter of CY22 or after that.

Broadband Plans With OTT Services Might Be Unnecessarily Expensive Posted: 12 Jul 2021 09:42 PM PDT The latest trend in the wired broadband industry is undoubtedly the bundling of OTT services to subscribers. The new phenomenon has caught hold in the Indian wired broadband industry as the consumption of content over mobile phones; smart TVs has proliferated in the last few years. The impetus is coming from a lot of poles, and it's not just a single factor that's driving this trend. The foray of companies like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and then the barrage of other domestic OTT Services has contributed to the craze. Then the diving of Indian production houses has further fueled the fire of OTT services in India. The Case for Rising OTT Consumption With all of these events being the formidable force behind the OTT revolution in India, the broadband providers in the country and telecom companies have jumped the bandwagon alike. The provision of OTT services in the broadband plans might seem like a counterintuitive move on the part of these companies since it raises the cost significantly. But, in the long run, as customers get hooked to the dopamine-inducing rush of thrillers and movies on these platforms, they seldom go back to their normal lives. The long web series and the watch-all-you-want nature of these platforms keep the consumers coming back for more. This, in turn, drives heavy data consumption for data and broadband services. As such, the companies look at the bundling of OTT services as being an investment for the long run. The difference in Pricing and Lack of Options However, what's worrisome in this trend is the blatant lack of options that the users suffer through in this race. Not to mention the distinct difference in pricing they encounter when looking at plans with OTT services and the plans without OTT services. To give you an idea of how the price differences work in this case. We take a look at plans available in the Delhi region for this comparison. One of the prominent Broadband companies in the Delhi region, Excitel broadband, is offering a 300 Mbps plan which is available for Rs 899 per month for the one-month option. The subscribers also get some discount on these plans if they go for a longer-term subscription. As for the plans by ACT Broadband in this region, the ACT Diamond plan, which comes with OTT applications, is priced at Rs 1,349 per month and offers Netflix along with a ZEE5 subscription. The speed is again 300 Mbps, and the data is unlimited. The same is the case with JioFiber, which offers 300 Mbps data speed and bundled Netflix and Amazon Prime in the plan priced at Rs 1,499. On a simple comparison, it's not hard to notice that the plans bundled with OTT services definitely increase in price as well. The solution to this seems to be the provision of an option by the broadband providers, wherein the subscribers have the choice of opting into the OTT services or not. An example is Nextra Broadband in Delhi which offers Entertainment plans separately which come bundled with OTT plans. Such a similar thing can be done by companies like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and other popular broadband providers so that the subscribers have the option to pay a fair price for the services that they actually require.

OnePlus Has an Answer to the 9 Series Geekbench Throttling Report Posted: 12 Jul 2021 08:11 PM PDT OnePlus seems to have been involved in another controversy, but this time in relation to its proprietary software skin, which is known as OxygenOS. The issue at hand was the throttling of most day-to-day applications on flagship devices such as the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, which are the company’s offerings to take on the likes of Samsung’s Galaxy S21 Ultra, Apple’s iPhone 12 series. Lots of accusations and uproar has been seen in recent times over the Oppofication of OnePlus, and, amidst all this, the company has been heavily making changes, some of which question its identity. Today, however, OnePlus has come to explain its in-depth explanation of why it did what it did in relation to the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, with a lengthy text that explains what happened. What Does OnePlus Have to Say? According to the company, recent smartphone SoCs have become overkill for many applications, with a statement laying emphasis on the same. It reads: in recent years, the performance of smartphone SoCs has reached a point where their power is overkill in certain scenarios for many apps such as social media, browsers and at times some light gaming. With this in mind, the OnePlus team shifted its attention from simply providing sheer performance to providing the performance you expect from our devices while reducing power consumption and heat dissipation. The company adds that it wanted to match each app with the most appropriate performance required. Other details were confirmed by a report released via AnandTech, who spotted this strange occurrence last week. OnePlus’s answer is seemingly apt, but the AnandTech report mentions a lot more and provides greater insight. 1. According to a tweet by the author of the AnandTech article, the battery life gains from making use of this scheme are quite marginal, which might provide just a couple of extra minutes of running time, meaning that the pros outweigh the cons, especially considering the current situation. 2. Another thing that OnePlus could possibly do is add a larger cell so as to provide proper performance without degrading the battery life, something that could have resulted in throttling. In case you missed it, the OnePlus 9 series had been delisted from 'Geekbench' as the devices were manipulating the benchmark application. The concern was raised by AnandTech who announced that there were some weird occurrences on the OnePlus 9 Pro. Following this, the device was removed from the platform.

Vodafone Idea, Airtel Offer This Benefit that Jio, BSNL Don’t Posted: 12 Jul 2021 06:27 PM PDT Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Bharti Airtel both offer a certain benefit to users that Reliance Jio and Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) do not. Since it is both Airtel and Vi that I am talking about, it can't be the Weekend Data Rollover or Binge All Night offer, but something else. It is an additional benefit that can be a deal-breaker for many users. Frankly, it is surprising to see that both Vi and Airtel offers users this benefit but Reliance Jio doesn't. Let's take a look at the benefit about which I am talking about. Vodafone Idea and Airtel Offer This One Benefit Which No Other Operator Does Vodafone Idea (Vi) and Bharti Airtel both offer their users prepaid plans that come with an over-the-top (OTT) benefit of ZEE5 Premium absolutely free. For the unaware, three months of ZEE5 Premium costs Rs 299 and 12 months subscription costs Rs 499. So you will be essentially saving Rs 499 when you get a free subscription of ZEE5 Premium with your prepaid plan. So what are the Bharti Airtel and Vodafone Idea plans that offer ZEE5 Premium to the users? Vodafone Idea Plans With ZEE5 Premium Vodafone Idea offers six plans that come with different benefits (including ZEE5 Premium) and range from Rs 355 to Rs 2,399. All the six plans from Vi that come with ZEE5 Premium benefit-cost – Rs 355, Rs 405, Rs 595, Rs 795, Rs 1,197, and Rs 2,399. There is at least one plan according to the needs of everyone. Each of the plans offers users the OTT benefit of ZEE5 Premium and free voice calling. There is an SMS service included as well. Further, every user is also entitled to receive another OTT benefit of Vi Movies & TV. Bharti Airtel Plan That Offers ZEE5 Premium Note that only a single plan from Bharti Airtel offers users the OTT benefit of ZEE5 Premium. It is the Rs 289 plan that comes with a validity of 28 days and offers users unlimited voice calling, 100 SMS/day, and 1.5GB daily data. The ZEE5 Premium benefit with Airtel's plan is only provided for 28 days which is also the validity of the plan. Further, every user is also entitled to receive Airtel Thanks benefits wherein they get another OTT benefit of Airtel Xstream Premium. There are more Airtel Thanks benefits including Shaw Academy, Wynk Music, and more. So, ZEE5 Premium is the benefit that neither Jio nor BSNL offers to users but Vi and Airtel do.

Vodafone Deploys 5G Core SA With the Help of Ericsson Posted: 12 Jul 2021 12:48 PM PDT Vodafone has deployed a 5G core standalone (SA) solution with the help of Ericsson. The telecom operator has partnered up with the Swedish telecommunication equipment and networking company to boost 5G in Spain. According to a release from Ericsson, Vodafone Spain has chosen Ericsson to be its partner in deploying the first pre-commercial 5G core SA in the country. Ericsson will help Vodafone Spain with its entire standalone 5G network applications that are included in this launch. Vodafone will leverage Ericsson's dual-mode 5G core for developing and testing new use cases of 5G SA technology and solutions to service its customers to the full potential of 5G. Ericsson's 5G SA Solution to Integrate With Vodafone's Current Network The mobile networks of Vodafone will be enhanced with the simplified SA architecture in the devices and the RAN along with the new network capabilities of 5G. Vodafone's mobile networks will be able to support ultra-low latency and will have improved 5G capacity along with better coverage. The solution from Ericsson offers complete interoperability and integration with Vodafone's current network. Luisa Muñoz, head of Digital Services, Ericsson Iberia, said that with 5G core SA, the 5G networks in Spain are going to the next level. Muñoz further said that she is excited to see the multitude of opportunities that 5G SA networks will open for the industry and mobile users. Julia Velasco, Network Director, Vodafone Spain, said that this partnership is a crucial step for the company in being able to deliver the true potential of 5G in Spain. Velasco said this move from both companies will enable the development of new and innovative use cases of the mobile networks. With 5G core SA, Vodafone Spain will be able to deliver the best quality 5G services to the users. Without 5G core SA solutions, operators have to use their 4G core and networks for delivering 5G which just takes out all the fun and the speed from the networks.

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