Draft EU law would let you remove preinstalled phone apps https://ift.tt/3aJraEz

• A draft European Union law would require companies to let  you remove preinstalled apps on phones and computers.
• This Digital Services Act would also require Big Tech to share data with rivals.
• The finished law is expected by the end of 2020.

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Do you despise having non-removable bloatware on your phone or computer? In Europe, at least, you might not have to put up with it for much longer. The Financial Times reports (via Reddit) that a draft EU law, the Digital Services Act, would let you uninstall preinstalled apps on “large platforms.”

There aren’t many details, but the potential law could also ban companies from both preinstalling their own apps and forcing others to “exclusively” preinstall that software.

It’s not clear just which apps would be subject to the draft law, although it appears primarily aimed at “Big Tech” companies that strike deals to include their apps, like Facebook and Google. The EU fined Google for allegedly pushing phone makers to bundle its apps on Android phones. Google said companies weren’t forced to include its apps, but that was recently called into question after Epic Games accused it of blocking LG and OnePlus deals that would have offered Fortnite and other software beyond the Play Store.

Related: Android users are twice as likely to uninstall apps than iOS users

If it passes, the legislation could theoretically let you uninstall apps from your carrier, not to mention preinstalled utilities that aren’t strictly essential to using your device.

The Digital Services Act would also require that large companies share customer data with competitors involved in “the same commercial activities.” They would also have to limit the scope of data collection — ad data couldn’t be used for other services, for example.

The proposed law should be ready by the end of 2020. It could easily face resistance from Google and other tech firms that have advocated for only light updates to regulations and object to labeling certain companies as “gatekeepers.” If it passes, though, it could be good news for not only users who want more control over the devices they own, but the creators of alternative apps that might otherwise get overlooked.

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The 9 best standing desks you can buy: options for all price ranges https://ift.tt/2GbSQYE

Working from home is showing no signs of slowing down, and in some cases it’s permanent. If you’re still adjusting to the remote working lifestyle, it might be time to complete your home office. You may not get as much exercise as walking around the office, but that’s what makes a standing desk so great. Your legs will thank you for the change of pace, but how do you choose the right model? Here are our favorite standing desks for working from home.

Why get a standing desk?

You may be wondering why you even need a standing desk if you’ve been working at a normal one your whole career. Well, sitting has been called the new smoking in some cases — which is frightening, to say the least. It makes your back stiff, reduces blood flow, and compresses your organs. None of those side effects exactly sound like a ringing endorsement for keeping your sitting desk.

Now, you could go about buying a premium chair and a whole host of other office comforts, but the solution is much easier. Standing helps you to stretch your legs, encourage blood flow, and you’ll probably register quite a few more steps on your Fitbit. We’re not saying you should throw out your office chair or move to a standing room only setup, but it’s good to have options.

Standing desks tend to fall into two basic camps — true desks and conversion kits. The true desks will fully replace your current setup, and they can often support a few hundred pounds. Unfortunately, they tend not to feature built-in drawers as lifting the drawers would be too heavy. The other way to go if you love your current desk is with a conversion kit. It sits on top of your setup but it adjusts in much the same way. You can keep all of your drawers and your extra real estate while simply raising your keyboard and monitors.

A standing desk may not fix all of your discomfort at work, but it’s a great first step in home offices and your professional life.

The best standing desks:

Desks we’ve tried:

• Ikea Skarsta
• Fully Jarvis
• Flexispot desk

The best of the rest:

• Uplift V2
• ApexDesk Elite
• Uplift E7
• Vari electric standing desk
• Ikea Bekant
• Ikea Idasen

Editor’s note: We’ll add new standing desks to this list as we review them and new options launch.

Desks we’ve tried:

Ikea Skarsta

Credit: C. Scott Brown / Android Authority

The Swedish furniture giant is a great place to start your search for a standing desk, and it pops up frequently on our list. This first option, the Skarsta, is a simple, minimalistic desk that our own C. Scott Brown took for a spin. You can read his in-depth thoughts below.

See also: Ikea Skarsta review: A bit too minimalistic

The Skarsta is a 63-inch by 31-inch hybrid-style desk that you can adjust for either seated or standing work. However, the desk is fully manual so you’ll have to get your workout in while you crank the desktop up or down. It comes disassembled, given that it’s an Ikea product, but you can also pay extra to have it assembled for you. The desktop is made of dense particle board and the legs and supports are all durable metal.

If you’re looking for a feature-rich desk, the Skarsta is not the one for you. It offers a desktop that raises and lowers, but that’s about it. You won’t find any cable management, and there are no desks or shelves to speak of. However, the materials are solid and the desk is easy to raise and lower as you go about your day.

buy from Ikea

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Fully Jarvis

Credit: Eric Zeman / Android Authority

If a manual crank isn’t your speed, the Fully Jarvis might be a better fit. It’s fully motorized and it stores four height settings for even faster adjustments. Our own Eric Zeman reviewed the Fully Jarvis — assembly process and all — and you can read about his experience below:

See also: Fully Jarvis review: A motorized bruiser

We reviewed a simple version of the Fully Jarvis, but you can customize the desk to your heart’s content over on the Fully website. You can add everything from a cable management tray to a drawer or a file cabinet. Unfortunately, there’s no option for a lowered keyboard tray, but the desk itself offers plenty of space.

You can adjust the Jarvis by up to 25 inches, which is perfect for either standing or sitting. It’s lightning-fast too, lifting and lowering at 1.5-inches per second. The Jarvis comes in a variety of sizes ranging from 30-inches by 24-inches to 78-inches by 30-inches.

buy from fully

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Flexispot desk

The last standing desk we’ve reviewed is the Flexispot. It’s a slightly more budget-friendly option and it measures in at 48-inches by 30-inches. We turned to Kris Carlon for our review, and you can read his thoughts right here:

See also: Do you need a standing desk? Yes, you really do

Like the Jarvis and Skarsta, the Flexispot requires a good bit of assembly before you can get to work. Luckily, Kris found it easy to put together, and the build quality is solid. It also matches the Jarvis in terms of speed, adjusting at 1.5-inches per second. It’s a smooth operator though, so you won’t have to worry about spilling your coffee when you lift it.

Select versions of the Flexispot standing desk can save preset heights, but the most basic model offers simple up and down options. It’s fully motorized either way, so you can leave your manual crank behind. 

buy from amazon

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The best of the rest:

Uplift V2

Credit: Amazon

Standing desks are meant to be as unique as you are, and the V2 from Uplift is a perfect way to tune your setup. It’s not cheap, and you’ll have to buy straight from Uplift itself, but you can customize every aspect. The V2 comes in just about any size from 42-inches by 30-inches up to 80-inches by 30-inches.

If you tend to keep a lot on your desk, the Uplift V2 is ready to lift it. The motorized beast can handle up to 355 pounds at a time, plenty more than you can probably even fit on your desk. You can also customize the appearance of your V2 with four frame colors and dozens of desktop materials including a fill-size whiteboard.

buy from uplift

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ApexDesk Elite

Credit: Amazon

If you want the desk that sounds like it should top the rest, how do you beat a name like Apexdesk Elite? Instead of blending in as another rectangular desk, the Apexdesk adopts a caved-in midsection to help you stay even closer to the action. The top itself is 60-inches by 28-inches, so you should have more than enough real estate to work with.

It may not quite match the 355-pound capacity of the Uplift, but the Apexdesk Elite can lift 225 pounds like it’s nothing. Apexdesk also chose a durable steel frame, so you should be able to work through just about anything. The Elite is fully mechanized, and the controller allows you to save multiple height profiles for easy adjustments.

buy from amazon

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Uplift E7

Credit: Amazon

We’ve highlighted plenty of true standing desks so far, but what if you love the desk you already have? You can skip the complete overhaul with the Uplift E7, which is essentially a conversion kit that sits atop your desk. The E7 is fully electric, and the control panel sits flush with the top of the desk.

Unlike a few other options that keep things simple, Uplift’s E7 has a detachable keyboard tray and you can mount monitors straight to the desk. It’s available with one, two, or three connections, and the E7 comes in black or white. You can only stack 110 pounds on top of the conversion desk, but at least you should still have real estate on your original desk.

The desktop measures in at 30 inches by 21.5 inches and the keyboard tray is 28 inches by 10.5 inches.

buy from amazon

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Vari electric standing desk

Credit: Amazon

Vari’s large, 48-inch by 30-inch standing desk is a great option if you want to match your home or office decor. It comes in your standard black and white finishes, but you can also choose from butcher’s block or reclaimed wood versions that feel a bit more personal. No matter what topper you choose, the frame of the desk is made of sturdy steel and reinforced with a crossbar.

The powerful motor is just as premium as the desk itself, and it adjusts to heights between 25.5 inches and 50.5 inches quietly. You can store up to three height settings on the premium LED display for even easier adjustments. Vari claims that you can assemble its desk in around five minutes without any special tools, so don’t be afraid to put it to the test.

buy from amazon

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Ikea Bekant

Credit: Ikea

We’re back to Ikea for the Bekant standing desk, and the manual crank is nowhere to be seen. It looks nearly identical to the Skarsta with the minimalistic design, but the Bekant is fully electric. You can make your adjustments with a simple two-button panel for heights between 22 and 48 inches.

It’s available in a variety of colors and finishes, and of course, you’ll have to assemble the desk yourself. The Bekant also has a cable management sleeve so you can keep your workplace neat and tidy. Unfortunately, there are still no extra trays or drawers to speak of, so you’ll likely have to grab a filing cabinet or something similar.

buy from Ikea

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Ikea Idasen

Credit: Ikea

Today’s final standing desk is yet another option from Ikea. It’s called the Idasen, and it’s designed to put up with years of wear and tear. The desktop is a thick slab of particleboard, and the steel legs are reinforced at the bottom for strength and durability. It only comes in black, but at least you can spill coffee or ink and you shouldn’t notice any mess.

Ikea’s Idasen is yet another all-electric option, and the control panel is somehow even more minimalistic. It functions as a single panel that you either lift or press to make your changes. Even better, Ikea has a companion app that allows you to remotely adjust your desk if you need to. The Idasen also employs the same cable management system as the Bekant, so you should be able to keep your desktop neat and tidy.

buy from Ikea

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Instagram brings Facebook Messenger into your DMs https://ift.tt/36k48Vp

Credit: Instagram

• Instagram DMs can now connect with Facebook Messenger, letting you message people across apps.
• It’s optional, at least for now.
• Disappearing messages and selfie stickers have also come to DMs.

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Like it or not, Facebook Messenger might soon find its way into your Instagram DMs. Instagram has announced integration with Messenger, letting you carry on some conversations without having to switch apps.

Any messages and calls from other Instagram users will stay in Instagram. This isn’t merging your Facebook and Instagram accounts. If you enable the connection, however, you can start conversations with Messenger friends or receive their messages. You can specify where those messages come in (if they do at all), such as through your regular Instagram DM chats or message requests.

Credit: Instagram

You’ll get some Messenger features in Instagram, too. You can reply to specific messages, forward them, and customize your chat appearance. Custom emoji reactions are available now. In the future, you’ll see message effects, Watch Together experiences (including for IGTV and Reels), optional disappearing messages, and selfie stickers.

The feature is currently available in “a few countries,” but should expand soon. The integration is optional, at least for now — you’ll get a prompt where you can turn it down. The technology has been in testing since the summer.

See also: The best chat and messenger apps for Android

Instagram characterized the link as eliminating confusion. A third of Americans sometimes find it difficult to remember where to find a given conversation, according to the social network’s research. We’d add that this is part of a well-established Facebook plan to shift to a more private and unified system where chats take precedence over shared posts.

Even so, there’s little doubt this could serve as a defensive tool for Facebook. You may be less likely to drop Instagram or Facebook Messenger if you know DMs from one will show in the other — it’ll be that much more important to your digital life.  You may be less likely to turn to Snapchat, Telegram, or other

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Xiaomi Mi 10T series is here: All you need to know about the budget flagships https://ift.tt/3ies7Yf

Credit: Xiaomi

The Xiaomi Mi 10T series is now official. Unlike the Mi 9T lineup from last year that consisted of rehashed Redmi phones, the new Mi 10T phones are more premium and in line with existing Mi 10 devices. All three of them bring 5G connectivity and premium hardware, albeit at more affordable prices than Xiaomi’s current Mi 10 flagships.

That said, the phones do make some compromises to achieve that lower price point. They also bring some nifty new features to the table that you won’t find on the Mi 10 phones. Here’s everything you need to know about the Xiaomi Mi 10T series.

See also: These are the best Xiaomi phones you can buy

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Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro, Mi 10T, and Mi 10T Lite: At a glance

Credit: Xiaomi

The new high-end flagship series from Xiaomi consists of the Mi 10T Lite, the standard Mi 10T, and the Mi 10T Pro. As expected, the Lite model is the most affordable while the Pro model nets the highest configuration amongst the three. Overall, the trio is designed to offer premium flagship specs at prices that don’t burn a hole in your pocket.

The Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chip and the Mi 10T Lite slots in as the first phone with the Snapdragon 750G SoC. All of them offer high refresh rate screens (up to 144Hz), large batteries, and the latest MIUI 12 software. Read on for a detailed specs overview.

See also: Everything you need to know about MIUI 12

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Xiaomi Mi 10T series: Specs

Check out the table below for a quick spec comparison of all the new Mi 10T series phones.

Specs	Xiaomi Mi 10T	Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro	Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite
Display	6.67-inch 144Hz Refresh rate 20:9 aspect ratio 2400x1080 resolution HDR 10	6.67-inch 144Hz Refresh rate 20:9 aspect ratio 2400x1080 resolution HDR 10	6.67-inch 120Hz Refresh rate 20:9 aspect ratio 2400x1080 resolution HDR 10
Body	Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Aluminum alloy frame	Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Aluminum alloy frame	Corning Gorilla Glass 5 Plastic frame
Dimensions	165.1mm x 76.4mm x 9.33mm 216g	165.1mm x 76.4mm x 9.33mm 218g	165.3mm x 76.8mm x 9.0mm 214.5g
Performance	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865	Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G
Rear camera	64MP main f/1.89 13MP ultra-wide f/2.4 5MP macro f/2.4	108MP main f/1.69 13MP ultra-wide f/2.4 5MP macro f/2.4	64MP main f/1.89 8MP ultra-wide f/2.2 2MP macro f/2.4 2MP depth f/2.4
Front camera	20MP f/2.2	20MP f/2.2	16MP f/2.45
Connectivity	5G MultiLink Wi-Fi 6 Dual SIM NFC IR blaster	5G MultiLink Wi-Fi 6 Dual SIM NFC IR blaster	5G MultiLink Dual SIM NFC IR blaster
Security	Side-mounted fingerprint sensor AI Face Unlock	Side-mounted fingerprint sensor AI Face Unlock	Side-mounted fingerprint sensor AI Face Unlock
Battery	5,000mAh 33W wired fast charging 33W in-box charger	5,000mAh 33W wired fast charging 33W in-box charger	4,820mAh 33W wired fast charging 33W in-box charger
RAM and storage variants	6GB+128GB 8GB+128GB	8GB+128GB 8GB+256GB	6GB + 64GB 6GB + 128GB
Colors	Cosmic Black Lunar Silver	Cosmic Black Lunar Silver Aurora Blue	Atlantic Blue Pearl Gray Rose Gold Beach

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Xiaomi Mi 10T series: Features

Credit: Xiaomi

Design and display

In terms of design, the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro are twins. They are also more or less identical in terms of their specs. The Mi 10T Lite, however, switches things up a bit. For starters, it shares a lot of similarities with the Poco X3 with the circular camera housing and center punch hole. It also sports a plastic frame over the aluminum alloy chassis of its siblings.

Both the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro tack on 6.67-inch FHD+ displays with a punch hole on the top left corner. The screen refresh rate on both phones is set at 144Hz. It’s automatically adjusted according to the content being displayed in order to optimize battery life. For instance, the phones could set the refresh rate at 60Hz for video streaming and crank it up to 144Hz for gaming. The Mi 10T Lite also features the same display, but with a 120Hz refresh rate.

Read more: Refresh rates explained

Unlike the Mi 10, Mi 10 Pro, and Mi 10 Ultra, the T series doesn’t get the OLED treatment. Instead, it makes do with IPS LCD panels.

If you’re looking for an in-display fingerprint sensor on these new phones, you will be disappointed. The feature didn’t carry over from the Mi 10 series and the Mi 10T devices make do with physical fingerprint sensors. They also feature face unlock as an added security measure.

Performance

Under the hood, the Snapdragon 865 does all the work on the Mi 10T and the Mi 10T Pro with support for 5G connectivity and 8K video recording out of the box. The chipset is paired with UFS 3.1 storage and LPDDR5 RAM.

The Mi 10 Lite is equipped with the Snapdragon 750G — Qualcomm's latest attempt at lowering the entry barrier for 5G.

The base RAM on the Mi 10T Pro is 8GB, paired with 128GB and 256GB internal storage options. The vanilla Mi 10T gives you an option to start with 6GB RAM going up to 8GB. However, it only offers 128GB of storage.

The Mi 10 Lite is equipped with the Snapdragon 750G which is Qualcomm’s latest attempt at lowering the entry barrier for 5G. The SoC stacks just under the Snapdragon 765 series which powers phones like the OnePlus Nord, Redmi K30, LG Wing, and others.

Cameras

One of the biggest draws of the Mi 10T Pro is its 108MP triple camera setup. The large sensor uses pixel-binning to deliver shots comparable to a 27MP 1.6-micron pixel camera. Xiaomi says you can also snap 33MP photos while recording 8K videos on the phone. Other sensors in the Mi 10T Pro’s rear camera array include a 13MP ultra-wide camera and a 5MP macro camera. For selfies, the phone uses a 20MP camera.

The Mi 10T simply substitutes the 108MP sensor for a 64MP primary camera that results in 16MP pixel-binned shots. The rest of its camera configuration remains the same as the Pro model.

Some of the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro’s camera skills include six long exposure modes to capture light trails, moving crowds, and more. You also get new video modes like the Video Clones mode (Photo Colones for stills) that captures “two selves” in one video and Dual Video mode that can record from the phones’ front and back cameras simultaneously.

Also read: The best Android camera phones you can get

The Mi 10T Lite gets a set of four rear cameras — a 64MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front is a 16MP shooter for clicking selfies.

You won’t get a telephoto sensor on any of the Mi 10T series phones, so if you want optical or digital zoom capabilities in a Xiaomi flagship, your options are limited to the pricier Mi 10 Pro and Mi 10 Ultra.

Battery

None of the Mi 10T series phones borrow 120W charging from their predecessor. However, they amp up battery capacity up to 5,000mAh which is the highest compared to any Mi 10 phone on the market.

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Xiaomi Mi 10T series price and availability

The Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro will start at €599 (~$702) for the 128GB storage variant and €649 (~$760) for the 256GB model.

Meanwhile, the Mi 10T with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage is priced at €449 (~$526). It costs €549 (~$643) for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage variant.

The Mi 10T Lite is the cheapest of the lot and starts at €279 (~$327) for the 6GB/64GB model and €329 (~$385) for the 6GB/128GB model.

The Mi 10T series will be made available in Europe to start with. Xiaomi also said it will launch it in all the other countries that it operates in, which should include markets like UK, India, and others.

At its launch event, Xiaomi only announced the availability for the Mi 10T Lite which starts on October 13 in Europe.

A known tipster claims that the Indian variant of the Mi 10T Pro could upgrade to a 6,000mAh battery and Snapdragon 865 Plus in contrast to its global counterpart.

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Xiaomi Mi 10T series competition and alternatives

Credit: Xiaomi

If you look at the competition, the Xiaomi Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro are much cheaper than premium flagship phones from the likes of Samsung and even Xiaomi’s own Mi 10 series. They aim to target buyers who can’t afford to pay $1,000 to purchase a smartphone with top-shelf specs.

The Realme X50 Pro is a decent alternative to the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro. It’s currently selling for €579 (~$675) which is almost the same as the base Mi 10T Pro. The Realme flagship also features the Snapdragon 865 chip but offers an OLED screen with an under-display fingerprint scanner. Its refresh rate is capped at 90Hz, but that should be enough for a smooth scrolling experience or even for mobile games. You also get six cameras on this thing, including two for clicking selfies.

Also read: The best Snapdragon 865 phones you can buy right now

Another good alternative for the Snapdragon 865 toting Mi 10T phones could be an Asus Zenfone 7 series device. The phones come with Asus’ signature flippy cameras, a 90Hz OLED display, a triple camera setup led by a 64MP sensor with OIS, and a choice of upgrading to the Snapdragon 865 Plus chip (with the ZenFone 7 Pro).  The only thing is, you’ll have to pay up a bit more to get a Zenfone 7 or Zenfone 7 Pro. The series starts at €699 (~$816) and goes up to €799 (~$932).

If you’re looking for something as cheap as the Mi 10T, you could also consider the Poco F2 Pro. It brings the Snapdragon 865 at €369 (~$430) and marries it with a large 4,700mAh battery and a 64MP quad-camera setup. It even features a headphone jack that is missing from the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro. However, it lacks a high refresh rate screen.

When it comes to alternatives for the Mi 10T Lite, there is no other phone that carries the Snapdragon 750G chip yet. The device is also very competitively priced under €300 (~$350) and there aren’t many alternatives that offer 5G at such a low entry point. That said, if you’re willing to shell out some more dough, there are some pretty good phones you can buy.

You could consider getting the OnePlus Nord instead of the Mi 10T Lite. The phone costs €399 (~$466) and packs a Snapdragon 765G chip, 90Hz display, four rear cameras, and two front cameras. You also get the Oxygen OS experience that some people may prefer over MIUI.

Then there’s also the Mi 10 Lite in the ecosystem. The Snapdragon 765G phone is currently available at an attractive price of €299 (~$349) and packs an under-screen fingerprint sensor as well as four rear cameras headed by a 48MP sensor.

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Top Xiaomi Mi 10T series questions and answers

Q. Does the Xiaomi Mi 10T series support headphone jacks?

A: Only the Xiaomi Mi 10T Lite gets a 3.5mm headphone jack in the series. The Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro don’t sport the audio port and you’ll have to make do with USB-C.

Q. Do the phones support wireless and reverse wireless charging?

A: No, none of the Mi 10T series phones support wireless or reverse wireless charging. However, they do offer 33W wired fast charging with a 33W charger in the box.

Q. Do the Mi 10T series phones feature dual SIM support?

A: Yes, both the Mi 10T and Mi 10T Pro come with support for Dual SIM connectivity. They also feature dual 4G standby which means as long as two 4G SIMs are on standby in the phone, they can both remain active to make and receive calls. The Mi 10T Lite, however, only gets a single SIM slot.

Q. Are the Mi 10T series phones water resistant?

A: Unfortunately, the Mi 10T series devices are not water resistant and don’t carry an IP rating.

Q. Do the phones feature NFC?

A: Yes, all the three Mi 10T series phones support NFC.

Q. Is there an IR blaster on the Mi 10T series phones?

A: Yes, all the Mi 10T series phones come with an IR blaster so you can use them as remote controls for your home appliances using the Mi Remote app.

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That’s everything we know so far about the Xiaomi M10T series. We’ll update this article as we hear more!

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Report: Google expects to ship less than one million Pixel 5 units in 2020 https://ift.tt/34rWlAR

Credit: David Imel / Android Authority

• Google has reportedly set Pixel 5 production at 800,000 units for 2020.
• It’s also believed that production of all new 2020 Pixels is set at three million for the year.

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The Google Pixel 4 is generally considered to be a sales disappointment for the company, with the Pixel 3 and budget-focused Pixel 3a series said to be picking up the slack instead. What does Google expect from its upcoming Pixel 5 though?

Sources told the Nikkei Asia Review that production of the Google Pixel 5 is set at 800,000 units for 2020. It further adds that production of the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, and the Pixel 4a is pegged at three million units in total for the year.

A Nikkei source said production could be adjusted after release based on market performance, but clarified the reason behind the figure:

Google gave a relatively conservative order forecast this year because its flagship Pixel 4 did not sell well last year, and because COVID-19 is causing their team to stay on the safe side concerning handsets for now.

The website cited IDC figures to state that Google shipped just 1.5 million Pixel phones in the first six months of 2020. Meanwhile, Nikkei said Google shipped 4.1 million phones in the first six months of 2019. However, Google’s two Pixel 3a phones debuted and went on sale in May 2019, while the solitary Pixel 4a was delayed from May 2020 to August 2020 (outside the six month window). Therefore the older Pixel 3a phones had to soldier on for a longer time in 2020 before a replacement came along.

When it comes to flagships, Google reportedly shipped 2 million Pixel 4 series devices in the first six months following its late October release. It looks like Google could be aiming lower than last year’s flagships. But between COVID-19 hampering sales and development, and the lack of a Pixel 5 XL in favor of a Pixel 4a 5G, this isn’t quite a like-for-like comparison.

In saying so, the Google Pixel 5 potentially has one point in its favor as it’s widely expected to offer a cheaper price tag than the Pixel 4. Furthermore, the company has already confirmed a $499 price tag for the Pixel 4a 5G, while the recently released Pixel 4a retails for just $350. We wouldn’t be surprised if the 2020 Pixels grow Google’s market share.

Next: Google Pixel 4a review — Google’s best phone in years

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Google hardware event: How to watch the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G launch live https://ift.tt/2NvKkUY

It’s been a bumper few months for Google fans. We’ve seen rapid-fire launches for the Pixel 4a and Android 11 in recent weeks. Now, the company’s “Launch Night In” event will usher in even more products.

We’re expecting the Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a 5G to both make their long-awaited appearances after Google’s initial August teaser. There have been a plethora of leaks for both devices since, but we still don’t quite know the phones’ global price and availability details.

Those eager to improve their Google smart home ecosystem can look forward to new streaming equipment, too. Although several retailers have already spoiled Google’s Chromecast and Nest Audio party, there’s still plenty of information the company has yet to confirm about both devices.

But what else could Google announce? You’ll have to watch the stream to find out.

What time does the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G launch start?

The launch kicks off at 11 AM PT (2 PM ET) on September 30, so it’s not much of a “launch night” for the US, then.

Find the time for your respective time zone below.

• San Francisco: 11 AM
• Chicago: 1 PM
• New York: 2 PM
• London: 7 PM
• Berlin: 8 PM
• Moscow: 9 PM
• New Delhi: 11:30 PM
• Singapore: 2 AM (October 1)
• Sydney: 4 AM (1 October)

How can I watch the Google event?

Google will live-stream the virtual event on YouTube, and we’ve embedded the stream below for your convenience.

Considering Google usually flicks the pre-order switch on the launch day for its devices, expect the company to do the same here. And if you miss the event, don’t worry. Although there won’t be any media presence at Google’s event, Android Authority will be sure to bring you extensive coverage of the company’s new wares.

In the meantime, what do you expect to see from Google, its new Pixels, and its smart home products? Let us know in the comments below.

Next: Google buyer’s guide: Everything you need to know about Google hardware

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Lenovo’s foldable PC is back, Pixel 5 later today, plus more tech news! https://ift.tt/30gLB8A

Your tech news digest, by way of the DGiT Daily tech newsletter, for Wednesday, 30 September 2020. Don’t forget to check out Google’s big Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G launch later today… 11am PT, sharp!

1. The foldable PC is back

Laptop mode

A long long time ago, in a galaxy far far away of May 2019, the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Fold, the first foldable PC was unveiled.

• Lenovo said then it had been working on the concept for three years.
• Later showings at CES 2020 and hands on thoughts showed that it would emerge as more than just a concept some time later in 2020.

That time is now!

Lenovo’s foldable PC, the Thinkpad X1 Fold, is available for pre-order starting at $2,499, although it won’t be shipping until mid-November from what I can tell.

• Not much has changed now that it’s been closer to five years Lenovo has worked on this. It’s a 13.3-inch OLED display, made by LG, with 2K resolution and a 4:3 aspect ratio.
• It runs an Intel Core i5-L16G7 processor, 8GB of RAM, up to 1TB PCIe M.2 SSD storage, optional 5G, and Lenovo says it should get 8.5 hours of battery life or more.
• That Intel chip we’ve also seen in the Galaxy Book S Intel model, and it is dubbed a hybrid processor. It’s not hugely powerful, but the foldable PC here looks low on extra cooling so it’s all about tradeoffs.
• There’s a Bluetooth Mini Fold Keyboard that Lenovo has made to go with the device, and cleverly, the X1 Fold can wirelessly charge the keyboard while it’s tucked away inside.
• There’s also more bits like a pen (Lenovo Mod Pen) and an Easel Stand.
• It ranges from the $2,499 price for no keyboard, no pen, and 256GB storage, and $3,099 for pen, keyboard, and 1TB storage.
• Which is insanely pricey given the way the Fold 2 stacks up against this at $2,000. But it’s a PC, which means Windows, PC programs and apps, a regular keyboard…
• In any case, you all know the mantra: don’t buy first-gen products, at least until the detailed reviews are out.

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2. Hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, including video (Android Authority).

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3. LG Wing gets a price ($1,000) and pre-order date (October 1) and release date (October 15) at Verizon (Android Authority).

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4. Google extends unlimited Meet calls for Gmail users through March 2021 (Android Authority).

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5. Apple iPhone 12 production now at full-tilt: 24H operation, mandatory overtime, no holidays, but some bonus pay on offer too: iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max are the suggested four on offer (9to5Mac).

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6. Also, Cyberpunk 2077 dev breaks promise, will force employees to work six days a week in last rush before next month’s launch (The Verge).

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7. Apple v. Epic hearing previews a long, hard-fought trial to come (Ars Technica).

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8. Sonos sues Google (again) for allegedly infringing five more wireless audio patents (The Verge).

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9. SpaceX found surprising heat-shield wear after the recent NASA mission. Although Bob and Doug weren’t in danger, SpaceX has updated the heat-shield for the next crewed launch scheduled for October 31 (Business Insider).

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10. You can follow an account on Twitter that tweets when a high-energy neutrino is detected in ice below the surface of the South Pole (Twitter).

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11. A new approach for detecting deepfakes looks for an invisible pulse (Gizmodo).

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12. NASA finally tracks down air leak on ISS, but it’s not fixed yet (CNET).

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13. Watch a UK pilot demo a paramedic jet suit, with video (BBC)

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14. “What is the ‘one’ YouTube video you always come back to whenever you need a laugh or smile?” (r/askreddit).

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