TECH NEWS : ANDROID P, SONY XPERIA XZ2 LEAKS, NOKIA 1 WITH ANDROID GO

TECH NEWS

Google Algorithm can predict cardiovascular risks

Google is taking a step ahead in helping the users to track their health while on the go. Google's AI is becoming more advance day by day and is efficiently helping out the users worldwide. Now as per some reports from the Beebom Google's has taken a quantum leap in the medical field as well. It is being reported that Google's AI can now successfully predict cardiovascular problems including heart attacks by analyzing the scans of eye retina. This is a huge breakthrough by Google while considering the fact that Google's AI has found new ways to analyze existing medical data.

The reports further suggests that Luke Oakden-Rayner who is a medical researcher at the University of Adelaide, told the verge that the work done by Google is groundbreaking and it shows how AI can help improve existing medical diagnostic tools. Luke then further said that, 'They are taking data that has been captured for one clinical reason and getting more out of it then we currently do. Instead of replacing the doctors, it is trying to extend what we can actually do.'

Google is trying to achieve a lot by improving its AI, in recent events Google Google has enhanced the camera performance by introducing AI based digital zoom capabilities. The report further suggests that the Pixel 2's digital zoom feature has got better and in their camera test they found the images captured using digital zoom feature were of high quality. The images captured are claimed to be better than cropping a full-size photo in any given condition, which is quite a commendable work done by Google.

In our recent review of the Google Pixel camera we explained how the device performed in terms of capturing images. Let's quickly have look at how well is the camera performance. The smartphone makes use of a 12.2MP single lens camera which works on an f/1.8 aperture. This combination brings more light to darker scenes and offer stunning bokeh and standard shots. In everyday use, the wide aperture and fast autofocus feature delivers crisp and impressively detailed shots.

Google Pixel 2 camera improves with the introduction of AI based digital zoom

Google Pixel 2 which is the flagship device of the tech giant has some powerful set of hardware which makes the device perform quite well. However even being the flagship device the Pixel 2 features a single-lens camera setup unlike the dual lens camera which is provided by its rival devices. Even then the Pixel 2 camera captures some quality pictures and we have explained in our detailed review of the device that how well the camera offer better results than most of the available dual lens camera smartphones.

Now as per some reports from the Beebom has revealed that the tech giant Google has enhanced the camera performance by introducing AI based digital zoom capabilities.

The report further suggests that the Pixel 2's digital zoom feature has got better and in their camera test they found the images captured using digital zoom feature were of high quality. The images captured are claimed to be better than cropping a full-size photo in any given condition, which is quite a commendable work done by Google.

In our review of the Google Pixel camera we explained how the device performed in terms of capturing images. Let's quickly have a refresher of how well is the camera performance. The smartphone makes use of a 12.2MP single lens camera which works on an f/1.8 aperture. This combination brings more light to darker scenes and offer stunning bokeh and standard shots. In everyday use, the wide aperture and fast autofocus feature delivers crisp and impressively detailed shots.

The colours might not look as vivid as they look on Samsung Galaxy devices; however the captured images are more realistic and close to reality as your eyes would see them in real world. The camera sensor also supports optical and electronic image stabilization to make video recording smoother.

One of the other best features of Pixel 2 camera is HDR enhanced mode. The mode makes a noticeable difference when a user is taking pictures in uneven and low-light. Pixel is one the best smartphone for low-light photography. The images come out to be well lit and show more detailing than images shot with any other smartphones of same price-point.

Nokia 1 Android Go

The Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 tech show is all set to debut in a few more days. Already, there are speculations regarding a number of smartphones those are likely to be unveiled at the tech show. In the meantime, a leaked FCC listing of a device with the model number TA-1071 has hit the headlines.

This new Nokia phone is believed to be a variant of the already rumored Nokia 1 that is expected to be an Android Go smartphone from HMD Global. The company is hosting a press conference at the MWC 2018 show floor on February 25 to unveil many smartphones and we can expect the Nokia 1 to also be one of them.

Going by the FCC listing via GSMArena, the Nokia TA-1071 might measure 134 mm in height, 50 mm in width, and 136 mm diagonally. These dimensions give us a hint that the Nokia 1 might bestow a 5-inch display and this is what we saw previously. Furthermore, the FCC listing also goes on stating that the Nokia 1 Android Go smartphone will support 4G LTE, Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi 2.4GHz band.

For now, it remains unclear if HMD Global will announce multiple variants of the Android Go smartphone. Previously, another model of the Nokia 1 was spotted on FCC with varying dimensions of 133 mm in height and 68 mm in width. One thing that remains concrete is that the company is gearing up to unveil this smartphone as it has received the US authority approval.

Based on the previous reports, the Nokia 1 is said to arrive with an HD IPS display carrying a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels. The smartphone is likely to be launched with the Snapdragon 212 SoC that was seen on the Nokia 2 paired with 1GB RAM and 8GB RAM storage space. It is also believed to be an Android Go device based on Oreo.

The hands-on images of the Nokia 1 point out the presence of a polycarbonate build at its rear. And, this is not surprising as the smartphone is said to be an entry-level device. It is also believed to be priced around Rs. 6,000.

Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact specs and price leaked

Sony is all set to launch a slew of smartphones on February 26 at MWC 2018. From what we have hearing so far, expected handsets include the Xperia XZ2, Xperia XZ2 Pro and Xperia XZ2 Compact. The Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Pro have appeared on various benchmark sites, revealing their specifications. But the Xperia XZ2 Compact has not featured in too many leaks.

That said, a latest report coming from Swedish media has shed some light on the specs of the Xperia XZ2 Compact. The report also reveals the specs and features of the Xperia XZ2. According to the report, both the smartphones will be much cheaper than Samsung's upcoming flagships; the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+.

This doesn't surprise us as usually Samsung flagship are more costly than Sony flagships.

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

To start with the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact, the smartphone is said to come with a rather small 5-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and FHD+ resolution. The display will reportedly be covered with a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 for better protection.

Under the hood, the Xperia XZ2 Compact is likely to be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. The report further claims, the handset will offer 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage space.

Sony Xperia XZ2

The Xperia XZ2 will not be much different than the Xperia XZ2 Compact. As for the similarities, the smartphone will also come equipped with a Snapdragon 845 chipset clubbed with 4GB RAM and 64GB native storage. However, it will be fitted with a larger 5.7-inch HDR display with an aspect ratio of 18:9 and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

What's more, there will apparently be a special music feature that leverages the vibration of the phone, although there is no further details at the moment.

Neither of Sony's upcoming Xperia smartphone will feature the 3.5mm audio jack.

Pricing and Availability

Going by the report, the Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact will carry a price tag of 5,990 SEK which translates to around Rs. 47, 940. The Xperia XZ2, on the other hand, will be priced at SEK 7,990 (approximately Rs. 63,950).

Both Xperia smartphones are tipped to go on sale on March 6, after the initial showcase at MWC 2018 next week.

Android P to prevent apps from using phone's camera

According to a source code commit spotted by XDA Developers, the next Android OS will prevent background apps from using the phone's camera. While the feature is useful for privacy-oriented users, there's more to this feature.

The restriction depends on app's User ID (UID), which the OS assigns to every single app that is being installed on the device. The UID's are unique for every app and does not change until the time the apps remain on the phone.

The commit suggests that Android P will be capable of detecting when a UID is 'idle,' or when an app is working in the background after a certain time duration.

The OS will then generate an error to prevent access to the camera. The software will immediately generate an error as long as the UID remains in the background.

The Doze feature restricts background apps' access to CPU and network-intensive services. Android Oreo also asks apps to display a notification when actively using the camera of the device. The new Android P will be an extension of the existing camera restrictions.

The new feature will be a good tool against malicious apps that silently record videos or take pictures without user's knowledge. This will also give relief to users who feel iffy about the front snapper.

This is not the first time we have come across an Android P feature. There were reports that the designers are working on the OS to work with a notch similar to the one seen on Apple's flagship iPhone X. The Google Assistant is also said to be an integral part of the user interface. It is good to see that the company is working on features that will help keep users' data safe and secure for malware, considering the growing number of cyberattacks.

According to a report Malwarebytes, hackers managed to breach the security barrier of millions of Android phones through malicious ad redirect scam. The exact method is yet to be determined, but it seems the users downloaded the malicious apps that redirected them to a website.

The website directly prompted that it was using the infected device to mine the cryptocurrency, and would only stop if the user enters a valid CAPTCHA code. The average of time spent by users on this malicious site was around four minutes, but the site had over 30 million visitors per month. If we add the numbers, it is evident that the hackers have mined a huge crypto amount.