LeEco Cool Changer 1C = Phone by LeEco and Coolpad's Joint Venture 

Two of the biggest giants in the Chinese smartphone industry, LeEco and Coolpad, recently collaborated to launch an affordable smartphone in their home country, dubbed the Cool. The Cool 1C retails for ¥899 ($ 130), (~INR 8,950) and will go on sale on December 6th, making it possibly the cheapest Android smartphone with a Snapdragon 652 processor and 4K video recording support after LeEco Le2.

Cool Changer 1C specifications

• This smartphone flaunts 5.5-inch (1920 x 1080 pixels) Full HD IPS in-cell display with 450nits brightness, 72% NTSC color gamut
• Powered by Octa-Core Snapdragon 652 processor (Quad 1.8GHz ARM Cortex A72 + Quad 1.2GHz A53 CPUs) with Adreno 510 GPU suitable for decent gaming
• it packs 3GB LPDDR3 RAM, 32GB (eMMC5.1) internal storage with no expandable memory.
• Sports 13MP camera with dual-tone LED flash, f/2.0 aperture, PDAF, 4K video recording, 720p slow motion at 120fps and 8MP front camera with f/2.2 aperture, 80-degree wide-angle lens.
• The handset comes with 4G with VoLTE support, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS/ A-GS, and USB Type-C connectivity options. The LeEco Cool Changer 1C is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and Nano-SIM.
• Sensors on the phone include Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, and Gyroscope.
• The LeEco Cool Changer 1C runs Android 6.0 and is powered by a 4060mAh non-removable battery with Quick Charge Technology. 
• It measures 152.00 x 74.80 x 8.20 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 172.00 grams.

The Cool1 Dual was the first smartphone launched under LeEco and Coolpad's Cool smartphone range in August. It was launched at a starting price of CNY 1,099. To recall, LeEco became the largest shareholder in Chinese smartphone company Coolpad with a total of 28.9 percent shares in its name. Considering the specifications of LeEco Cool Changer 1C , it can be said that the specs  are quite similar to Le2 Smartphone in all the departments, however with improved battery backup.

Kindly Stay tuned for availability in India 👆

Apple Watch - Series 2

Apple Watch Series 2

The Apple Watch Series 2 is the second-generation Apple Watch. Design wise, the Apple Watch Series 2 looks identical to the first Apple Watch, which has been renamed "Apple Watch Series 1" with a few upgrades of its own along with several internal upgrades.

Available in 38 and 42mm varieties, the Apple Watch Series 2 is the same size and shape as the original Apple Watch (albeit slightly thicker), but it has been constructed with superior 50m water resistance and better seals, making it suitable for swimmers.

It continues to measure metrics like steps taken, calories burned, and pulse rate, and it can track many activities using the Workout app. Positioned as a fitness device and designed to encourage users to be more active, the Apple Watch and watchOS 3 include health-focused features and built-in activity reminders, much like the original Apple Watch.

Inside, there's a new dual-core S2 chip that's 50 percent faster than the processor in the original device, and a new GPU offers 2x better graphics performance for apps that open much faster and do more.

An NFC chip allows it to work with Apple Pay, Apple's payment service, and a Taptic Engine provides haptic-based notifications and other feedback.

Apple Watch Series 2 includes a redesigned 1,000nit display that's a full two times brighter, making it easier to see when outdoors in bright sunlight. A GPS chip included in the S2 is able to record precise distance, speed, and pace data for running, walking, and hiking, even when away from the iPhone.

Like the original Apple Watch, Series 2 is available with mid-priced stainless steel (Silver and Space Black) and lower-priced aluminum "Sport" bodies (in Silver, Gold, Space Black, and Rose Gold), plus Apple has also introduced a new high-end glossy white ceramic "Edition" model. Apple Watch Sports models start at $369, stainless steel models start at $549, and ceramic models start at $1,249. Prices vary based on band selection and casing size.

Apple has teamed up with Hermès and Nike to offer Apple Watch Series 2 models with exclusive software, bands, and watch faces. Nike's Apple Watch is an Apple Watch Sport, with prices starting at $369, while Hermès models are all stainless steel Apple Watches with Hermés-designed leather bands.

DESIGN AND BUILD QUALITY

When it comes to design, the Apple Watch Series 2 is identical to the original Apple Watch. It features a rounded, rectangular body in two sizes (38mm and 42mm) that is able to snap into an array of interchangeable bands thanks to built-in lugs.

Beyond the touchscreen, there are two methods of input on the device -- a Digital Crown for controlling much of the interface and selecting apps and a side button that brings up the app dock as of watchOS 3.

All Apple Watch models include a Retina HD display and a ceramic backing with four built-in sapphire-covered sensors to measure heart rate using green light technology that keeps track of the pace of blood flow beneath the skin.

The front of the Apple Watch can be customized with a range of unique watch faces featuring traditional watch-style designs, characters, animated images, and more, all of which can be personalized with complications and variations in appearance.

The Apple Watch Series 2 comes in Stainless Steel, Space Black Stainless Steel, Silver Aluminum, Space Gray Aluminum, Gold Aluminum, Rose Gold Aluminum, and Ceramic.

The 18-karat gold and rose gold Apple Watch Edition models were discontinued in favor of the new ceramic Apple Watch. Made from a glossy white ceramic with a pearl-like shine, the Apple Watch Edition comes with a special cloud-colored white Sports band. According to Apple, the ceramic material is the "ultimate combination of beauty and strength." Because it's four times harder than stainless steel, the ceramic Series 2 Apple Watch seems less scratching.

INTERNAL UPGRADES

PROCESSOR

Apple Watch Series 2 Powered by a dual-core second-generation (S2) system-on-a-chip. According to Apple, it is 50 percent faster than the S1 chip in the original Apple Watch and includes a new GPU with 2x better graphics performance. With a more robust processor and better GPU, apps open faster and developers can create new kinds of apps that weren't able to run on the Apple Watch before.

GPS CHIP

New to the S2 is a built-in GPS chip that allows the Apple Watch to determine its position without needing to be near the iPhone, effectively lessening the Apple Watch Series 2's dependence on an iPhone.

GPS in the Apple Watch keeps tabs on speed and distance when you're walking, running, or hiking, and following the end of an activity, there's a color-coded route available that shows your overall pace and different speeds at each point on the path. Developers are able to take advantage of the GPS chip and develop apps that use it.

Aside from the GPS chip, the Apple Watch still relies on the iPhone for connecting to LTE and Wi-Fi networks, but it is able to connect to known Wi-Fi networks on its own.

BATTERY LIFE

There are larger batteries in both the 38 and 42mm versions of the second-generation Apple Watch, but it continues to offer the same battery life of up to 18 hours. The GPS chip and brighter display likely draw additional power, eating up the added battery reserves. Apple was, however, able to introduce some significant battery life improvements through the watchOS 3.1 update, and now the Series 1 and Series 2 models often last for more than 18 hours before needing to be recharged.

Broken down, the Apple Watch offers three hours of talk time, 6.5 hours of audio playback, and eight hours when working out. It takes 1.5 hours to charge the Apple Watch to 80 percent and two hours to charge it to full.

OTHER FEATURES

The Apple Watch Series 2 features 802.11b/g/n 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, and 4GB of internal storage for music. It also includes a heart rate sensor, accelerometer, gyroscope, ambient light sensor, and two microphones for better call quality. The 38mmApple Watch has a 273 mAh battery, 33 percent larger than the 205 mAh battery in the original 38mm Apple Watch.

COLLECTIONS

• SPORT
• STAINLESS STEEL
• EDITION
• NIKE
• HERMÈS

BANDS AVAILABLE

• SPORT BAND
• WOVEN NYLON
• CLASSIC BUCKLE
• MODERN BUCKLE
• MILANESE LOOP
• LEATHER LOOP
• LINK BRACELET
• HERMÈS

VERDICT

Apple has upgraded the Watch in a number of ways, and all of them useful. The extended battery life, the GPS abilities, and the water-resistance now make this a compelling smartwatch - but it doesn't quite do enough to make you need such a watch in your life... yet.

Sony introduces Final Fantasy XV Walkman, headphones and Bluetooth speaker

 Sony - Final Fantasy XV is finally landing on a console, LAST from SONY

Final Fantasy XV is the long-awaited latest installment in the main Final Fantasy series, reportedly in development for the last ten years. Though the single player version is exclusive to consoles, it was announced earlier this month that Machine Zone – the developers of Game of War - had partnered with Square Enix to make a Final Fantasy XV mobile MMO.

After over a decade, Sony has launched a limited edition Walkman to coincide with the release of Final Fantasy XV for PS4 and Xbox One. The A-Series Walkman comes with pixel-art versions of the heroes in the latest game - arriving November 29 - etched onto the rear, with Final Fantasy’s typical Roman numerals above it.

The Walkman, which also delivers Hi-Res audio, is accompanied by a pair of Sony hear.on MDR-100A headphones for 33,880 yen ($300) for a 16GB model. and a hear.go SRS-HG1 Bluetooth speaker for 29,380 yen ($260). Aside from its packaging, there doesn’t seem to be much separating the Walkman from a regular A-Series edition Walkman (though the icons in the software may have a slightly different color).

Also, it has “special icons” only to be found on this Final Fantasy model. 

stay tuned for latest updates...👆

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 -  Most powerful phone under ₹1000 

There's no way you have missed the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3. It's been the bang-for-buck benchmark for a while now, delivering a feature set and performance way above what its price tag suggests. Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 smartphone was launched in November 2015. It's been a year since its launch, but still, it is considered the most preferred phone under the price tag of CYN1005 (₹10,00) 

Specifications of Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

• The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 16GB arrives with a 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with a screen resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels which eventually leads to a pixel density of 401ppi.
• The phone is powered by a hexacore Qualcomm MSM8956 Snapdragon 650 processor (Dual-core, 1.8 GHz, Cortex A72 + Quad core, 1.2 GHz, Cortex A53). The configuration is further enhanced by Adreno 510 graphics.
• The device comes in two variants, i.e., 16 GB, 2 GB RAM - Standard version and 32 GB, 3 GB RAM - High version, Special edition.
• The device from Xiaomi is equipped with an excellent 16MP main camera which is inclusive of CMOS image sensor, Digital image stabilization, and dual LED flash which means users get to make the most of the features. For selfie fanatics, there is a 5MP front snapper too, The other inbuilt camera features include AF Phase Detection, Auto Flash, Continuos Shooting, Exposure compensation, Face detection, Geo tagging, High Dynamic Range mode (HDR), ISO control, Touch to focus and White balance presets. 
• The Redmi Note 3 sips juice from a massive 4,050mAh battery which keeps the device powered on for long hours but there is no support for fast charging sadly.
• The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and Micro-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, Infrared, USB OTG, FM, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). 
• Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor and Gyroscope, Fingerprint sensor.
• The Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 runs Android 5.1. It measures 150.00 x 76.00 x 8.65 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 164.00 grams.

The Redmi Note 3 is one of the most powerful phones in its budget. It has all the ingredients to deliver a seamless performance and is also backed by a massive battery. To conclude, if you want to enjoy a powerful smartphone with the fingerprint sensor on a low budget then this is the best option available. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3(2GB RAM, 16GB Storage )price in India starts from  ₹9999. 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3(3GB RAM, 32GB Storage )price in India starts from  ₹11.999.

Best Buy Links

Flipkart

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Gold, 16GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Dark Grey, 16GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Silver, 16GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Gold, 32GB)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Dark Grey, 32GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Silver, 32GB) 

Amazon

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Gold, 16GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Dark Grey, 16GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Silver, 16GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Gold, 32GB)

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Dark Grey, 32GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (Silver, 32GB) 

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime 

Xiaomi releases another entry from their Redmi series of mobile phones. This is the fourth generation model carrying hardware that seems to belong in the higher-end spectrum. The company introduces the Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime and everything about this device seems to sound and look premium.

Specifications of Redmi 4 Prime 

• The phone comes with a 5.00-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 1080 pixels by 1920 pixels at a PPI of 443 pixels per inch. 
• Powered by 2GHz octa-core Cortex-A53 Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor along with Adreno 506 GPU and it comes with 3GB of RAM. The phone packs 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 128GB via a microSD card.
•  As far as the cameras are concerned, the Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime packs a 13-megapixel f/2.2 primary camera with hybrid phase-detect autofocus; 1080p video capture at 30fps and 5MP f/2.4 front-facing camera; 1080p at 30fps video recording.
• The Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime runs Android 6.0 on top of MIUI 8 and is powered by a 4100mAh nonremovable battery that supports Quick Charge 3.0. It measures 141.30 x 69.60 x 8.90 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 156.00 grams.
• The Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Micro-SIM and Nano-SIM.Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India).
• Sensors on the phone include Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor and Gyroscope, IR port, Rear-mounted fingerprint reader.
• The device comes with 3 color variants, Gold, Dark Gray and Silver.

Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime price in India is expected to be Rs. 10999. Redmi 4 Prime is due to be launched in December 2016. The 32GB variant costs around Rs. 10999. The Xiaomi Redmi 4 Prime comes in multiple color options like Gold, Grey, Silver which are also priced the same

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro

Samsung is reportedly going to launch the Galaxy C7 Pro next month with a model number is SM-C7010. According to Geekbench,. The smartphone has been spotted on India's import-export website Zauba ahead of the official launch.

Expected Specifications of Galaxy C7 Pro are as below

• That listing showed that the Galaxy C7 Pro will carry a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display most likely with a 1080 x 1920 resolution protected by a Corning gorilla glass 4.
• Powered by  Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor which is an octa-core processor clocked at 2.21GHz.
• The handset is expecting with 4GB of RAM and a 32/64GB internal storage (expandable up to 128GB via microSD card)
• It also houses a 16MP primary camera with f/1.9 aperture, an 8MP front snapper with f/1.9 aperture 
• The Galaxy C7 Pro will feature an all-metal body and it should be just 6.7mm thick. We've also learned the smartphone will include a wide range of connectivity options, including 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, GPS and NFC with support for Samsung Pay. Also, the upcoming smartphone features a fingerprint sensor positioned under the home button, as well as dual-SIM support.
• All these are powered by a 3,300mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

Rumor has it that Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro will be officially unveiled in December, the Galaxy C7 Pro, has already entered its testing phase in India. The variant is supposedly included in a batch of new devices that Samsung has sent to its testing center in the said country. alongside another smartphone in the same series, the Galaxy C5 Pro. There's no word on a price tag for the time being.

With both the original Galaxy C5 and the Galaxy C7 staying in the tech market for only about half a year, Samsung's plans on releasing the revamped smartphones will give users cheaper options that still maintains hardware and software quality. As per tradition, Samsung Galaxy C family is the affordable flagships category below the A series and S series.

LeEco Le Pro 3

LeEco Le Pro 3 - Extremely affordable

Specifications of  LeEco Le Pro 3

• The LeEco Le Pro 3 has a 5.5-inch full HD (1,080 x 1,920 pixels) @401 ppi 
• With two dual-core, Kryo processors, clocking speeds of 2.34GHz and 2.19GHz respectively, and a chipset of Qualcomm Snapdragon 821, Le Pro 3 is a sprinter and Adreno 530 is GPU.
• 4 GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage and does not support expandable storage.
• With a 16MP primary camera, Exmor-RS CMOS Sensor and 2.0f aperture, it is capable of clicking pictures at 4,616 x 3,464 pixels. The front snapper sports 8MP lens with a 2.2f aperture.
• The LeEco Le Pro 3 is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, USB OTG, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor and Gyroscope.
• The device draws all its fuel from a 4,070mAh li-polymer battery which. The device features  QC 3.0 of quick charging.
•  It measures 151.40 x 73.90 x 7.50 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 175.00 grams.

After the initial success with almost all its previous smartphones, LeEco attempts to draw all the attention with both the variants of LeEco Le Pro 3. The Chinese smartphone maker leaves no stones unturned to grab the market into its grip. The Le Pro 3 32GB is all set to give the other smartphone brands a run for their money with power packed performance, superb camera quality and an big battery backup. So, if you are prepared to spend on a mid ranged smartphone, this device is worth investing on.

Buy For

Superb camera

Good configuration

Sharp display

Beware Of

Non expandable memory

Comparatively heavy

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge - Outstanding device

Samsung always manages to draw attention when a new Galaxy flagship is launched. Powerful specs and premium hardware aside, it's expected of the company to introduce ground-breaking innovation with each flagship device.

Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge

• The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge flaunts a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED (1,440 x 2,560 pixels) display resulting in a pixel density of 534ppi with Corning Gorilla glass 4 for protection.
• Powered by two quad-core processors aided by 4GB RAM seated on Exynos 8 Octa 8890 chipset (quad- core, 2.3 GHz, M1 Mongoose + quad-core, 1.6 GHz, Cortex A53) and Mali-T880 MP12 at GPU end.
• Another variant  is powered by Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) processor and Adreno 530 as GPU.
• The phone packs 4GB RAM and 32/64GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 200GB via a microSD card. 
• As far as the cameras are concerned, the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge packs a 12MP , f/1.7, 26mm, OIS, 1/2.5" sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size on the rear and a 5 MP, 1/4.1" sensor size, 1.34 µm pixel size, f/1.7, 22mm for selfie shooter
• The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts . On the connectivity ground, the device offers options such as GPRS, EDGE, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi 802.11, a/ac/b/g/n/n 5GHz, Mobile Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth v4.2, A2DP, ANT+, GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS, USB, Computer sync, NFC, OTA sync and Tethering. 
• Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and Barometer.
• The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge runs Android 6.0 and is powered by a 3600mAh nonremovable battery, It supports fast charging both on wired and wireless. 
• It measures 150.90 x 72.60 x 7.70 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 157.00 grams and is available in a variety of color variants - black, white, gold and silver. 

Verdict

The flagship phone has an IP rating of IP68 which makes it water and dust proof. To make your financial transactions easier, it comes with Samsung Pay which is extremely secured by Samsung KNOX, fingerprint scanning and advanced tokenization. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge is a monster in terms of specs and features and with 3D glass and metal body. Additional features such as dust and waterproof make it a perfect choice. Along with Samsung Galaxy S7, it boasts of being the first phones to come with dual pixel camera as well.

Best Buy Links

Flipkart

SAMSUNG Galaxy S7 Edge (Gold Platinum, 32 GB)

SAMSUNG Galaxy S7 Edge (Black Onyx, 32 GB)

SAMSUNG Galaxy S7 Edge (Silver Titanium, 32 GB)

Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F Smart Phone 32 GB, Gold Platinum

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935F Smart Phone 32 GB, Black Onyx

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge SM-G935FZDUINS (Silver Titanium, 32GB)

Samsung Galaxy S7 SM-G930F Smart Phone 32 GB, Black Onyx

Samsung S7 Edge SM-G935F (Pink Gold, 32GB)

Dell XPS 13

Dell XPS 13 Powered by Intel Kaby Lake Processor

Dell's XPS laptop models are the most covetable ultrabooks besides HP Spectre 13, EliteBook Folio G1 and the Lenovo Yoga 900, Asus latest Zenbook 3 and other Apple's own MacBook Line. Dell’s XPS 13 is back for 2016 with an updated specification that includes more efficient Intel Kaby Lake processors and longer battery life. 

Let’s see if the XPS 13 has what it takes to snatch the crown in the premium ultrabook space.

Dell XPS 13 design and build

The Dell XPS 13 is the smallest 13-inch laptop. It is the visual embodiment of a machine that transcends the bounds of possibility and is a marvel of human ingenuity. The visually stimulating UltraSharp QHD/FHD+ resolution (3200x1800) with a bezel that's just 5.2mm thick which is the signature of this ground breaking device . he IPS panel ensures rich colour reproduction and very good viewing angles, which makes it a joy to work on. The glossy touchscreen is prone to picking up fingerprints and reflections, however this can somewhat be dealt with due to the high brightness levels. The only downside to this design choice is that the webcam has had to be placed below the display, which results in an awkward angle for video chatting. The new XPS is at a bit heavier end at 1.3kg for the touchscreen model, which means you are going to feel the heft compared to some of today's other models. Build quality is still excellent thanks to the aluminium chassis with carbon fibre for the palm rest area.

The keys on the keyboard have just the right amount of travel for typing, and there's absolutely no flex around the keyboard area. The chiclet keys have good spacing, and the backlighting is pretty even across them. The glass trackpad works very well with tracking and Windows 10 gestures. There are two rubber strips on the bottom of the XPS 13 that act as feet to help prop the laptop up to keep the intake vents unobstructed.

The palm rest area does stay cool during gaming but the same cannot be said for the bottom of the laptop. The XPS 13 runs fairly cool if you’re doing things like editing a document and surfing the Web, but once you fire up a video or do anything graphically intensive, it gets really hot. At first we thought it was the due to the vents getting blocked but placing it on a table didn’t seem to help. Thankfully, the exhaust fans aren’t too noisy, and most of the hot air is expelled through a vent on the right, near the hinge.

For connectivity

The DW1820A 2x2 802.11ac Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to stay plugged in wherever you are. The Bluetooth 4.1 lets you share large multimedia files and data without interruptions across devices. Connect external hard drives and flash drives without any hassle with two USB 3.00 slots. Add the optional Dell The Thunderbolt Dock for an enhanced experience; its 3 multi-use port allows you to transfer data 8 times faster than regular USB 3.0 slots.  dedicated HDMI or even a Micro-HDMI port is sorely missed here. There are status LEDs on the side that show you how much charge the battery has left, and the Dell XPS 13 comes with two speakers, one on each side. Engineered to facilitate hi-speed connectivity no matter where you are the Dell XPS 13 has been crafted to not just meet but surpass all your expectations of what a laptop can do.

1. Speaker | 2. SD card slot | 3. USB 3.0 with PowerShare | 4. Noble lock slot | 5. AC power | 6. Thunderbolt™ 3 supporting: Power in/charging, PowerShare, Thunderbolt 3 (40Gbps bi-directional), USB 3.1 Gen 2 (10Gbps), VGA, HDMI, Ethernet and USB-A via Dell Adapter (sold separately) | 7. USB 3.0 | 8. Headset jack | 9. Battery gauge button and indicator

Dell XPS 13 specifications and features

The flagship version of the XPS 13 that we have ships with a Skylake-generation Core i7-6560U processor, which is a bit different from the i7-6500U that is more commonly found in ultrabooks. It has a slightly lower base clock and turbo frequency but packs in a bit more oomph in the graphics department. Instead of the integrated HD 520 graphics, it features Intel's Iris 540 graphics, promising better performance.

You also get 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, an HD webcam,The 6th generation Intel Core i5-6200U in our Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook review unit delivers impressive performance for a 15W processor. While we can’t quite call this best-in-class performance among 13-inch Ultrabooks at the time of this writing, the Core i5-6200U does an impressive job overall and is equally impressive when it comes to power management. The Intel HD 520 integrated graphics are enough to handle playing 1080p video and up-scaled QHD+ video on the QHD+ display, but if you really want to make the most of the QHD+ resolution for 3D rendering or editing 4K video content then you probably want to spend the extra cash to upgrade to the optional Core i7-6560U processor with Intel Iris 540 graphics.

Dell XPS 13 performance

Speed and reliability are what you get with the Dell XPS 13. Backed by the 6th Generation Intel Core processors this laptop boots and resumes faster than you can type your password. The 256GB Solid State Drive hard drive paired with Intel HD Graphics 520 give you seamless navigational abilities between multiple apps. Boot times are quick, as are loading times for apps in general. The SSD puts on a good show here delivering really fast read and write speeds. We got 860MB/s for sequential read bandwidth and 663MB/s for write.

Multimedia experience

The multimedia displayed on the virtually infinite screen with a merely present 5.2 mm bezel will leave you entranced. The contemporary IGZO IPS panel provides a 170 degree wide viewing angle for comfort. The 400 nit brightness allows you to enjoy the display even under bright lights. A razor sharp contrast ratio of 1000:1 ensures that you see an entire spectrum of color and brings stunning images to life on your screen.

Multimedia playback is excellent, mostly thanks to the display. The laptop can handle high-resolution files with ease, and streaming movies and TV shows on the laptop is real treat. The built-in speakers are pretty loud, and Dell uses the Waves MaxxAudio software suite for sound enhancement. We didn’t find much use for the touchscreen though, since stretching out a hand to use it isn’t the most comfortable posture and the laptop doesn’t flip or bend so that it can be used in different positions.

Battery Life

The latest generation Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook features a 56Wh battery which is slightly more capacity than the previous generation (52Wh). The extra battery capacity combined with the superior energy efficiency of the Intel Core i5-6200U helped the XPS 13 deliver longer battery life despite the QHD+ display. Notebooks with Ultra-HD screens typically have worse battery life because all those extra pixels require extra power, but the XPS 13-9350 managed to last for almost 4 hours in Futuremark’s demanding Powermark benchmark. If you set the screen brightness to 70 percent or lower and just browse the web a fully charged XPS 13 should last for around 8 hours even with the QHD+ resolution display.

Verdict

The new Dell XPS 13 is every bit as good as it looks on paper, but it isn't the best ultrabook on the market anymore. Heating is a bit of a concern with the Core i7 model we tested, and it gets uncomfortable after a point if you’re using it on your lap. We feel a bit disappointed when it comes to onboard storage, which ideally should have been 512GB rather than 256GB. We also could have used either a Micro-HDMI port or an adapter bundled in the box.

While the starting price of the Dell XPS 13 Ultrabook comes in at roughly $800, our review sample includes the higher-resolution touchscreen display and a 256GB solid state drive (SSD). These upgrades certainly improve both the overall performance and the overall appeal of the XPS 13, but $1,500 is a lot to pay when you’re talking about a PC running on a Core i5-6200U and just 8GB of DDR3 system memory. The laptop ships with Windows 10 Home 64-bit along with a 12-month subscription to McAfee LiveSafe, Office 2016 Home and Student Edition, and a bunch of Dell utilities for driver updates.

Best Buy Links

Flipkart

Dell XPS 13 Core i5 6th Gen - (8 GB/256 GB SSD/Windows 10 Home) 

Dell XPS 13 Core i7 6th Gen - (8 GB/256 GB SSD/Windows 10 Home) 

Dell XPS 13 Core i7 6th Gen - (8 GB/256 GB SSD/Windows 10 Home)

Dell XPS 13 Core i7 5th Gen - (8 GB/256 GB SSD/Windows 8 Pro)

Amazon

Dell XPS13 13-inch Laptop (Core i7-5500U/8GB/256GB SSD/Win 8/Integrated Graphics) 

Dell XPS-13 XPS1354128iS 13.3-inch Laptop (Core i5-6200U/4GB/128GB/Windows 10/Integrated Graphics), Silver 

BlackBerry DTEK50

BlackBerry DTEK50 - secure, but not special

Blackberry is a software company with end-to-end cross-platform mobility solution on secure connections. “The company now has four pillars: enterprise solutions, technology solutions, secure messaging and secure handsets,” Blackberry's new DTEK50 is an Android based phone that is to be claimed as the most secured handset by the company.

Specifications of  DTEK50

• Blackberry DTEK50 comes with a 5.2-inch IPS LCD Full HD (1,080 x 1,920 pixels) display and has a pixel density of 424ppi.
• Powered by 1.2GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 617 having two quad-core processors (1.5 GHz Cortex A53 + 1.2 GHz Cortex A53)  and Adreno 405 graphics engine.
• Coupled with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage that can be expanded up to 2TB via a microSD card.
• DTEK50 packs a 13-megapixel primary camera on the rear and an 8-megapixel front shooter for selfies.
• BlackBerry has a stereo, front-facing speakers on both the front and back of the device, so you’ll hear the DTEK50 just fine whether it’s right-side up or face down on a table.
• The device is fuelled by a 2610mAh li-ion battery (Quick charge support).
• For networking and sharing, the device offers options such as single SIM, 4G (supports Indian bands), 3G, 2G, Wi-Fi 802.11, a/ac/b/g/n/n 5GHz, Mobile Hotspot, Bluetooth v4.2, GPS with A-GPS, Glonass, NFC and microUSB 2.0.
• Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor and Gyroscope.
• The BlackBerry DTEK50 runs Android 6.0.1 and It measures 147.00 x 72.50 x 7.40 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 135.00 grams.

The Blackberry and android lovers in together can prefer DTEK50, who prefer a slim body device with flash in both end panels. The performance of the device is good, be it games, apps, multitasking etc. Other key points of this handset are ample expandable memory and quick charging support. However, the price tag seems to fall a little higher, as there is no fingerprint sensor  and the SD617 is a mid range processor.

Best Buy Links

Blackberry DTEK50 (16GB, Carbon Grey) - India

DTEK 50 Unlocked GSM 16gb Black - US 

HTC Desire 10 Pro

HTC Desire 10 Pro - Great features but not a decent processor

The Desire 10 Pro is inspired by many of the same innovations that have made the flagship HTC 10 so popular making it the most brilliant Desire ever.

Specifications of HTC Desire 10 Pro 

• The phone comes with a 5.50-inch FHD (1080*1920) display @ PPI of 401 pixels per inch. 
• Powered by octa-core MediaTek MT6755 processor clocking a speed of 2GHz aided Mali-T860 MP2 graphics engine.
• 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage (expandable up to 2TB via microSD card).
• The Desire 10 Pro comes with a 20MP rear camera with Electronic Image Stabilization. The front camera is 13MP, which comes with a new 150-degree wide selfie panorama mode.
• The HTC Desire 10 Pro is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM and Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, USB OTG, FM, 3G and 4G (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India). 
• Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor and Gyroscope.
• The HTC Desire 10 Pro runs Android 6.0 and is powered by a 3000mAh non removable battery (QC 3.0 Supported). 
• It measures 156.50 x 76.00 x 7.86 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 165.00 grams.

The HTC Desire 10 Pro is a robust configured handset and marvellous cameras. The ample expandable memory is ideal for the ones looking out to save large number of high sized files.  The users can enjoy 4G connectivity for long hours since the battery backup is excellent. However, all these are processed by an average processor and have to wait and see, if all these said things processes with ease at the price range of $588 (approximately 26,500 INR)

Lenovo K6 Power

Lenovo K6 Power - Huge in Powerhouse

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Lenovo had unveiled the K6 series at IFA 2016 in Berlin back in September which is set to launch its new K6 Power smartphone in India on November 29. Lenovo K6 Power is the mid-level device in the series, placed between the K6 and the K6 Note.

Specifications of Lenovo K6 Power

• Lenovo K6 features a 5-inch FHD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1,080 x 1,920 pixels along with a pixel density of 441ppi.
• Powered by two Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 MSM8937 processors, one clocked at a speed of 1.2GHz while the other clocks a speed of 1.5GHz coupled with 3GB of RAM and Adreno 505 GPU. 
• The smartphone has an internal memory of 32GB which can further be expanded up to 128GB with the help of an external memory card.
• the K6 Power bears a 13-megapixel rear camera with a Sony IMX258 sensor, PDAF and LED flash, apart from an 8-megapixel front camera with a Sony IMX219 sensor and a wide-angle lens.
• The large 4000mAh battery is rated to deliver up to 96.5 hours of music playback, 13.6 hours of video playback, 48 hours of voice calls, 12.6 hours of Web surfing, and 649 hours of standby time. The company has also introduced the Ultimate Powersaver app for the Lenovo K6 Power, a power-saving mode that extends battery life by reducing app and data usage. There is also a reverse charge option, allowing the smartphone to be used as a power bank.
• Connectivity options on the smartphone include 4G LTE, VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.2, FM radio, Micro-USB, and GPS/ A-GPS. It measures 141.9x70.3x9.3mm and weighs in at 145 grams. 
• It is fitted with a fingerprint sensor, gyro, proximity sensor, compass and an accelerometer and available in three colors; Silver, Gold and Dark Grey.
• At software end,  It runs Android v6.0.1 (Marshmallow) 

Lenovo is also touting the App Lock functionality powered by the fingerprint sensor. Other Vibe Pure UI customizations include Dual Apps (allowing apps to be used with two different accounts on the same phone), as well as the Long Screenshot features. The Lenovo K6 Power 16GB is a decent 4G smartphone which is especially known for its enormous 4,000mAh powerhouse. For a budget smartphone, it comes with a decent configuration supported by the great processor that it is definitely worth checking out.

Best Buy  Links

Flipkart
Lenovo K6 Power (Dark Grey, 32 GB)
Lenovo K6 Power (Gold, 32 GB)

Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0

Quick Charge 4.0 Technology by Qualcomm-with USB Power Delivery compatibility

How Does Quick Charging Work ?

Qualcomm uses an algorithm known as Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage (INOV), to allow everything to fall into place. According to the company, the algorithm is capable of managing how much power the device can request through power cables.

Qualcomm realizes that smartphones and tablets are not the only mobile devices out there, and as such, the company is aiming to get in on the virtual reality craze as well. Not only that, but drones are also in the pipeline, and rightfully so. If we look at the current state of drones, the battery is the main problem so Qualcomm could change that, if even a little bit.

Features of Qualcomm's QC 4.0

• Dual Charge parallel charging technology (now called “Dual Charge++”) to provide up to 20% faster charging and 30% higher efficiency at up to 5 degrees celsius cooler temperatures compared to Quick Charge 3.0
• Quick Charge 4.0 claims to extend smartphone use for flagship smartphones with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip by 5 hours with only 5 minutes of charging
• With just 15 minutes of charging time, Qualcomm claims it could quick charge a phone up to 50% battery.
• Quick Charge 4.0 also features the third release of Qualcomm’s INOV (Intelligent Negotiation for Optimum Voltage) power management algorithm that includes  real-time thermal management
• Quick Charge 4.0 has been on improving the safety and protection features, with multiple additional layers of protection added to help prevent battery overcharging. 
• 3 layers of over-voltage protection, 3 layers of over-current protection, and 4 layers  of over-temp protection
• Compatibility with USB Power Delivery (USB PD),
•  Qualcomm is also introducing two new power management ICs, the SMB1380 and SMB1381.
• These PMIC are engineered for low impedance, with up to 95% peak efficiency, and support for advanced features like battery differential sensing. The SMB3180/1 will be made available by the end of 2016.

 

Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4.0 fast charging technology will be available in the next generation of Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, starting with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. The Snapdragon 835 is expected to ship in commercial devices beginning in the first half of 2017.

Asus Zenbook 3

Asus Zenbook 3 - A perfect MacBook alternative for windows 

Buying a laptop isn't however buying a smartphone isn't all the simple any more nowadays. But, admit it, laptops are even harder to make a choice. With so many hips and hops, choosing a laptop as per our requirement is puzzling all the way. However if you have a budget around 1 Lakh then definitely MacBook will be our top priority, but display size is where we have to compromise as they have limited options like 12-inch MacBook or even the 13-inch MacBook Pro. But, what if you're inclined towards Windows-based machine? The MacBook won't be of much help to you then, even though it's a fantastic piece of machinery here enters the Asus Zenbook 3.

Specifications and features of Asus Zenbook 3

• It packs a 12.5-inch full-HD display with Gorilla Glass 4 to help protect from scratches.
• The top-end Zenbook 3, that I have been using, comes with a Core i7-7500U (2.7GHz-2.9GHz), and 16GB of LPDDR3 RAM clocked at 2,133MHz.
• There's also 512GB of solid state disk storage on-board the laptop.
• Supported by backlit keyboard, Harmon-Kardon speakers for a premium audio experience and a 6-cell, 40WHr battery which Asus claims will give you up to 9 hours of battery life and supports quick charging which will give you 60 percent charge in just 49 minutes
• The ZenBook 3 from Asus as its flagship ultrabook is fashioned out of an aerospace-grade aluminium alloy with the company’s trademark ‘spun-metal’ texture that is also seen on the ZenPhone 3. 
• Unlike the MacBook, the ZenBook does sport a fan for efficient cooling which is supposed to be the world’s thinnest at 3mm and an 82 percent screen to body ratio. 
• Asus claims that the Zenbook 3 is thinner and lighter than a 12-inch MacBook.
• The laptop measures a mere 11.9mm in thickness and weighs in at just 910 gram.

Price and Availability (in India)

The Zenbook 3 ships with just the one USB-C port and a 3.5mm audio jack. But, Asus ships the Zenbook 3 with a USB-C mini-dock that adds an HDMI port, a regular USB connection and another USB-C socket to the laptop. There's also a bigger universal dock, that can add more ports to it, but you'll have to purchase it separately

The Asus ZenBook 3 comes in three configurations, with the top of the line variant with a

• Base Variant - Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD costs Rs 1,13,990. 
• Middle Variant - Core i7 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD priced at Rs 1,23,990. 
• Top Variant - Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIE SSD priced at 1,47,990. 

Globally, the ZenBook 3 is also offered with a 1TB SSD but there is no pricing information for this variant for India as of now. The laptop is supposed to ship with a laptop sleeve, a carry bag and a dock. 

Xiaomi Mi Note 2

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 - The elegant design

The Chinese giant, Xiaomi has been picking up the pace when it comes to smartphone launches. Now, the handset maker already in full swing after launching its Mi Note 2, that impressed allot by its design and specifications. For those who like Xiaomi products, here is a brief overview of the handset.

Xiaomi Mi Note 2 Specs and Features

• Mi Note 2 comes with a 5.70-inch Super AMOLED (1440x2560 pixels) display with Force Touch technology that provides crisp and clear picture quality with bright colors.
• Powered by quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor clocked at 2x2.35 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo paired with Adreno 530GPU.
• Bundled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage and 6GB of RAM/ 128GB of storage that cannot be expanded.
• As far as the cameras are concerned, Mi Note 2 will sport two sensors at the back. The first one will be a 23-megapixel Sony IMX318 sensor, and the other one will be a 12-megapixel Sony IMX378 sensor. It will feature a dual-tone LED Flash, support OIS, and 4K video recording. The front camera is said to sport an 8-megapixel sensor.
• Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is a dual SIM (GSM and GSM) smartphone that accepts Nano-SIM. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared, 3G, 4G LTE with VoLTE support (with support for Band 40 used by some LTE networks in India) and USB type-c port.
• Sensors on the phone include Compass Magnetometer, Proximity sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient light sensor, Gyroscope and Barometer
• it packs a 4,070mAh battery along with Quick Charge 3.0 support that can be charged to up to 83% in 30 minutes.
• It measures 156.20 x 77.30 x 7.60 (height x width x thickness) and weighs 166.00 grams.
• On the software front, it runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow based on MIUI 8 and will be sure to get updated to Android 7.0 soon

Xiaomi devices have always been the ones to sell out like hot cakes during Christmas and we can expect Mi Note 2 to tread on the same path. Mi Note 2 comes with a ramped up setup as well as an exemplary camera setup and an awesome design. This particular handset is bound to strike a chord with Indian buyers if priced right

Huawei Mate 9 Lite

Huawei Mate 9 Lite with dual rear camera is now official

Huawei has silently added another new smartphone to its Mate 9 series, dubbed Mate 9 Lite. The Mate 9 Lite is the pocket-friendly version of Huawei's 2016 flagship smartphone.As one would expect from that Lite branding, the Mate 9 Lite comes with mid-range specifications but it retains the design of Mate 9 series and brings down the price significantly

Specifications of Mate 9 Lite

• Huawei Mate 9 Lite comes with a 5.5-inch FHD (1080p resolution) display with a 2.5D curved glass on top.
• Powered by an Octa-core (4 x 2.1GHz + 4 x 1.7GHz) Kirin 655 processor. 
• The phone comes in two variants – 3GB RAM with 32GB ROM and 4GB RAM with 64GB ROM.
• There is a 12MP primary camera at the back with another 2MP camera for understanding depth. The main 12MP sensor gets phase detection autofocus and pixel size of 1.25 microns. Huawei has added an 8MP front camera for video calling and selfies.
• Mate 9 Lite is running Android 6.0 Marshmallow (all other Mate 9 smartphones are on Android Nougat) with EMUI 4.1 running on top. 
• The phone is backed by a 3,340 mAh battery, and weighs 162 grams total. 
• The dimensions of the phone are 150.9 x 76.2 x 8.2 mm. 
• Its sensor package includes a – proximity sensor, fingerprint sensor, hall effect sensor, ambient light sensor, an acceleration sensor and a compass. 
• Mate 9 Lite will be available in three color variants – Grey, Gold and Silver.

Now that Mate 9 Lite is out, reports are emphasizing that U.S. carriers should stay away from the device. A congressional report last 2012 strongly recommended U.S. carriers not to offer Huawei devices because China might spy over Americans. Huawei has rejected those claims and accusations but all carriers are not willing to sell Huawei products, and because of this Huawei Mate 9 Lite might have low sales figures.

This is not the only problem Huawei is facing. Since Verizon and Sprint are using CDMA networks, some changes must be made to Huawei Mate 9 Lite's chipset. That leaves with two other carriers left in the US: AT&T and T-Mobile. Unluckily, Huawei is having issues with T-Mobile so it's unlikely a partnership will happen. That leaves with only AT&T that could offer Huawei Mate 9 Lite in the United States.