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OnePlus Nord is finally launched

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Sriram
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Image Credit:Droid-life.com

OnePlus Nord was finally launched yesterday through an AR event. After being teased for a long time and rumor surfacing about its specs, the device is finally available with all details. The OnePlus Nord is one of the first affordable smartphones offered by the company for its customers. However, the specs are very similar to a mid-range premium smartphone. The device comes with hole-punch display design and has a quad-camera setup on the rear. The device is one of the few devices that has been launched with support for 5G band connectivity and provides almost 300 optimization options to the user. 

The phone was launched yesterday in India at three different price ranges and configurations. It will start at Rs. 24,999 for the 6GB RAM + 64GB storage variant, Rs. 27,999 for 8GB + 128GB storage variant and Rs. 29,999 for 12GB + 256GB storage variant. The phone’s base variant will be sold in Gray Onyx color, whereas the other models will come in two different colors, called the Blue Marble and Gray Onyx. The device will be going on sale through the Amazon E-commerce platform and the OnePlus website, starting August 4. However, users who are planning to buy the base variant will have to wait until September. Only the 8GB and 12GB variant will be sold from August 4.

However, the company did mention that the device’s pre-booking will start from July 22 through OnePlus stores and on July 28 through Amazon. The sale of the device will also be clubbed with many offers such as Rs 6000 worth benefits from Jio and Rs. 2000 discount on American Express cards. Also, OnePlus Buds, which are the first truly wireless earbuds from the company and launched alongside the handset, will be sold.

A new hack can destroy your smartphone and fast charger

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Sriram
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Image Credit: Independent.co.uk

In the field of hacks and vulnerabilities that steal sensitive data from your phone and can even wreck them, a new hack has been discovered that can corrupt your fast charger and the smartphone. The vulnerability is called BadPower and can change the firmware on your fast chargers. BadPower hack corrupts the fast charger and stops the chip’s firmware and the charging device from “agreeing” on a set voltage for the charging process. The hack is not meant to be like malware or ransomware, where the device is kept as a hostage to get money from the user. It is meant to corrupt the fast charger and physically destroy the device.

Fast charging is one of the most exclusive features in today’s smartphones, which is a mandate in every smartphone brand. Due to this, every new smartphone is coming up with fast charging technology, making it prone to new kinds of attacks and vulnerabilities. BadPower was initially reported by ZDNet, where they mentioned that the hack will hamper the set voltage for chargers and will permanently damage the smartphone. Many devices can only accept 5 volts as the safety limit, while some can accept 20 volts. Therefore, increasing the voltage will make the device burst into flames. 

As per the researcher, 35 fast chargers that they checked, 18 were vulnerable to BadPower, out of which 11 could be corrupted via digital terminals. Adding additional fuses to the chargers that support lower voltage fast charging can help avoid any fire or blast on the phone due to BadPower. As per the researcher, there is currently no resolution for the issue, but they are working to find the workaround. Apart from that, companies will have to add more elements to the charger to avoid situations where the charger can damage the device.

Data leaked for over 20 million users by VPN services

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Sriram
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VPN (Virtual Private Network) is one of the most used services on the internet and is mostly used to access the websites of other regions that are generally not accessible. However, when someone uses these services, they give the app access to their IP address and other important and critical information. Recently, VPN services like UFO VPN, Rabbit VPN, Free VPN, and four other VPN services have been found to have leaked over 1TB of user information data. The information includes user logs, API access records without any authentication. The incident started from Hong-Kong based UFO VPN, where reports indicated that the company was involved in a data leak from the start of July. 

The company already leaked the user’s personal information like plain text passwords, VPN session secrets, IP addresses, connection timestamps, geo-tags, and device and OS characteristics. Although the company did not release any statement about the leak immediately, they announced the same in the next couple of weeks. They stated that no information had been leaked, and the issue has been resolved. However, it was found that the user information of both the free and paid customers was already leaked, affecting over 20 million online users. Following UFO VPN, six other VPN services were also found doing the same thing. The revealing information about the problem was that all the six VPN applications were connected to a common developer. 

These VPN services are Fast VPN, Free VPN, Super VPN, Flash VPN, Secure VPN, and Rabbit VPN. Although these apps claim that they do not record any user information, they leaked around 1.2TB of user information. These kinds of data leaks are harmful to the user as they become open to threats like phishing and fraud, blackmail, viral attack, hacking, doxing, and other cybercrimes. With such a leak, the users need to switch to other VPN services, if they use any one of the mentioned services.

OnePlus Nord will be launched using an AR-style event

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Sriram
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Amazon

Mobile users have been eagerly waiting for the new OnePlus Nord device, which is one of the company’s first budget-oriented devices. There have been many leaks about the looks and specs of the mobile phone. However, the company is now coming out with a unique and different way of releasing it in public. OnePlus is bringing out the world’s first AR launch in which the users will not just be able to watch the launch, but will also be able to spend virtual time with the smartphone. Mobile companies are avoiding any public gathering to launch their devices and are using the digital medium to launch their products. 

OnePlus has gone one step ahead and has offered a unique way to launch and experience their product. The AR launch of the device has started making a lot of noise even before its launch. The device was already popular for being a device with high-end features like premium smartphones and being lighter on the price tag. A lot has already been leaked about the smartphone in terms of specs, and the tech it will bring in the affordable price bracket. OnePlus Nord will be the most affordable device, yet; the company has developed that. OnePlus has been known for providing a premium quality experience to its users and integrating new experiences in their smartphone devices. 

They have now extended this experience to the launch events and have started a new way of launching the events virtually, which can be seen as something other companies will surely adopt in the future. The smartphone will be launched on July 21 at 7:30 pm IST, and only those who grab the invite for the event will view the AR launch event. The user also needs to download the OnePlus Nord AR app and use the accept and scan feature to attend the event along with the invite.

Another dangerous Malware is coming your way

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Sriram
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The world of hacking and digital threats seems to be on the rise. Recently a new malware called “Joker” has been in headlines for being the most sophisticated malware in existence. However, it seems like it is not the only digital threat people have to face. A new threat, called BlackRock is one of the latest malware that has been discovered. The malware is based on a banking trojan called Xerxes and is a part of LokiBot‘s descendance. Although the malware has been derived from a banking trojan, it does not attack the banking application. Instead, it has been found to attack around 337 apps, including some of the more popular non-banking applications like Gmail, Netflix, Amazon, Twitter, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook, Youtube, and others. 

This malware is used by hackers to steal your credit card and other personal information. Therefore, it will attack all those applications that allow the users to buy add-on features using their credit card. Previously, users could have deleted the application to get rid of the malware. However, BlackRock is not so easy to get rid of.

The malware will not come with any application that has been installed from the Google Play Store. The malware can only contact the device through any third-party application that has been downloaded and installed from any website. The trojan will appear to provide updates to your Android phone and will ask for your permission. Posing as fake Google updates, it is easier to access the device as users will accept it easily. 

The malware will not be visible in the app drawer as well. Therefore, there is no way for the user to delete it. The malware can overlay attacks, send, spam, and steal SMS messages, lock the victim in the launcher activity, etc. The malware’s major issue is that any Antivirus program will not detect it as it can easily deflect the scans. Therefore, the only way of saving your data and device is to stick to the application on Google Play store.

Pixel 4 users facing issues where the glass back is peeling off

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Sriram
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Pixel is one of the most premium offerings from Google when it comes to smartphones, and it has a dedicated community of users. Google Pixel 4 is a popular device from the range and is loved by users for the kind of stock performance it provides. However, no one expected to see such an issue with the phone where the back glass screen has automatically started to peel off. Multiple user reports have come when they have complaints of the back glass in the Pixel 4 and 4XL peeling off. The most common reason for the issue that is coming out is the swollen battery. 

The swollen battery is creating an outward pressure due to which the back panel is peeling. Although Google has not said anything about the issue, the official community for Pixel users on Reddit has discovered the same issue. Users have provided multiple reasons for the issue, but none seems to be providing a common reason for the same. Most users do not know when the issue started as the phone was used with a cover. The user realized the issue after they took the phone out of the back cover. The issue mainly seems to be due to the poor build quality of the phone, and it is something users do not expect from Google. 

Also, the issue comes when a new and more affordable Pixel series is about to be launched, which is the Pixel 4a. It is expected that sooner or later, Google will respond to the customer’s issue if the number reported keeps increasing. However, since the Pixel device comes with a hefty price tag, the build quality will lead to a huge drop of confidence in the users for the upcoming Google smartphone devices.

Apple is working on a new wireless charging case

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Sriram
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Apple is known to provide groundbreaking technical products, and from time to time, details have been leaked about its new products and patents. As per the new details, Apple is currently working on a new iPhone battery case that will house a two-coil wireless charging technology, without using the lighting connector.

The company filed the patent for the same in May last year, and it mentioned a smart battery case that uses two coils for bidirectional wireless charging. As per the statement mentioned in the patent, “A battery case has first and second coils on opposing sides of a battery and has switching circuitry, coupled between the first and second coils.” The smart case has been designed to transfer the power directly to the iPhone, without charging its battery. 

The case will start the charging process as soon as the phone comes in contact with the Qi wireless charging. Apple has already released a similar product before, but it uses a lightning connector to charge the iPhone. Since Apple has been moving towards wireless technology right from the start, they are trying to build the product again based on the same method.

The wireless charging case provides a faster and better charging time than the wired version that was released before. However, the specs of the wireless battery powered case have not been released officially. Once it does, we can expect the case to hit the shelves immediately. With access to iOS 14, the case seems to be a perfect addon to the new iPhone.

New Emojis coming from Google and Apple

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Sriram
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Emojis have been one of the most popular methods for expressing their feelings and emotions in messages. Emojis are very popular in almost all messaging applications like Messenger, WhatsApp, etc. Each platform that uses emojis have been releasing a new one after a regular period. Recently, global tech leaders, Apple, and Google have decided to introduce more than 100 new emojis this year. On World Emoji Day, both the companies provided a preview of exclusive emojis that they will be releasing very soon on both the mobile platforms.

With this, both the user platform will get emojis with new designs, expressions, and emotions. Google has also provided the exclusive emojis’ exclusive sneak and is expected to release more than 62 new characters in their emoji list. Not only this, but they will also come with 55 new skin tones and gender variants. The new emojis will not be added to the existing Android operating system. 

It is expected that Google will be adding the new emojis to Android 11. Google also mentioned that they had proposed Unicode Consortium changes, which stand for some empathetic expression and opportunities that can bring equity to the keyboard. It will bring new ways to interact through emojis and new expressions that were not available before. The other emojis will have a bit of re-design to make them look better and fresher. Changes will also be made to them so that they look good in the dark mode as well.

The character is currently available in the Beta version of the Gboard, where you view them on the emoji list but cannot use them. Apple, on the other hand, will bring 117 new emojis to their existing list. Some of the exclusive emojis from Apple will have dodo, nesting dolls, tamale, pinata, boomerang, ninja, coin, beaver, transgender symbol, anatomical heart, bubble tea, and lungs among others. Apple is expected to release the emojis with a new update to its operating system.

Jio launches the JioMart app on Google Play Store

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Sriram
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Jio was working on its Jio Mart app for a long time, and it has now been finally released on the Android platform. The application is now available to download and install on the Google Play Store. The app describes itself as a never before experience of shopping groceries online from an app. The app offers a wide selection of groceries and categories like fruits, vegetables, staples, personal care, beverages, branded foods, snacks, home & kitchen, etc.

Jio Mart is said to provide many new products, exclusive launches, and a lot of offers to attract customers. The app will be delivered to over 200 locations to provide more business opportunities to the local grocery store owners. The app also claims to provide all the products with a 5% discount on the MRP. 

When it comes to interface, Jio has claimed that the application is designed with the simplest navigation and features. The app will be very easy to use and will provide the customer with almost any product they require in groceries. The app is also said to have all the payment options like net banking, credit/debit cards, Sodexo, and even cash on delivery options.

The app also comes with the search option to ensure that the customers can easily search for any product they want to buy. Since the application is currently available for android users only, the iOS users will be waiting eagerly for the app to launch on their platform. Reliance Jio has also announced that the app will help source the vegetables and fruits from the local farmers to benefit more.

OWC released a new affordable 10GB Ethernet Adapter

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Sriram
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It’s the time of the year when most companies provide a public release regarding their new product offerings in the market. A similar announcement has been made by OWC as well, where they launched a new 10GB Ethernet Adapter, with a Thunderbolt 3 interface. The company has announced and landed the product for sales and will focus on adding fast networking connectivity to modern PCs featuring Thunderbolt 3 ports.

Thunderbolt 3 is a fast connectivity port that is becoming very common in new age laptops for providing faster connectivity. The adapter will be compatible to work with both platforms, Windows, and Mac. The main feature of its sales would be the price factor. The 10GB Ethernet adapter is not expensive and has been launched at a very affordable price. 

10GB Ethernet Adapter
OWC

The product is based on Marvell’s Aquantia AQtion AQC107S controller that works in concert with Intel’s JHL6540 Thunderbolt 3 controller. The product has been designed to work out of the box and requires Windows operating system drivers to work properly. The only down point for the product could be Alpine Ridge chips, which does not make the product compatible with every USB-C host device.

The adapters have been made compatible with almost all the latest and emerging technological standards. The company released an adapter last year with model number T3-10G by Akitio, and it is said to be the rebadged version for the same. It was expected after OWC acquired Akitio last year. The adapter’s selling price is currently kept at $149, which is very affordable when looked at the price of devices in a similar category.

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