TECH NEWS : JIO AND SAAVN COLLAB, SAMSUNG GALAXY NOTE 9, BLACKBERRY GHOST PRO

Tech News

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BlackBerry Ghost Pro is another bezel-less smartphone coming to India

Gone are the days when BlackBerry used to launch smartphones with the QWERTY keyboard. The brand is now adopting the new trends and has already launched touchscreen smartphones sans its signature physical keyboard. Late last month, we reported that a smartphone called BlackBerry Ghost is in the making.

The information was sourced from reliable tipster Evan Blass. He said that new BlackBerry smartphone called Ghost could be released soon for the Indian market. Blass now claims that another BlackBerry smartphone will also make its way to the country. The tweet notes that the Indian telecommunications giant Optimus that owns the BlackBerry license is involved in making the device.

The Delhi-based telecom company entered into a licensing agreement with BlackBerry in 2017. Given that the company is based in India, we can expect the BlackBerry Ghost smartphone to be exclusive to the country. Notably, since the agreement was signed in 2017, this BlackBerry phone in question could be the first phones that will be made by Optimus while the others including the KeyOne were made by TCL. That said, there is no official confirmation on this matter yet.

The tweet is also accompanied by a render of the upcoming BlackBerry smartphone. It seems like, the Ghost Pro will also be a bezel-less smartphone. However, As the screen of the device appears to be turned off, it could be an illusion as well. The render also suggests that the smartphone will feature a physical keyboard or a home button.

At the moment, we do not have any other information about the BlackBerry Ghost Pro regarding its release date, pricing, and specifications. Hopefully, more details will emerge in the following days.

Google Pixel 2 XL is up for grabs with Rs. 10,000 cash back

We are months away from the announcement of the next-generation Google Pixel smartphone. And, if you are looking forward to buying the Pixel 2 XL, then this is the right time as the smartphone is available at a considerable discount. Well, you can purchase the Google Pixel 2 with a cash back of Rs. 10,000 now. Here we detail the offer for you.

The Google Pixel 2 comes in two variants - 64GB and 128GB storage options priced at Rs. 52,999 and Rs. 61,999 respectively. Likewise, the Google Pixel 2 XL also comes in two variants - 64GB and 128GB storage capacities priced at Rs. 61,999 and Rs.

70,999 respectively. If you use a Citi credit or debit card, then you can get the smartphone at up to Rs. 10,000 cash back.

Well, the cash back amount of Rs. 8,000 on using a Citi credit or debit card to buy the Pixel 2. Eventually, you can get the Pixel 2 at Rs. 44,999 and Rs. 53,999 for the 64GB and 128GB variants. The cash back is Rs. 10,000 for the Pixel 2 XL thereby taking the pricing of the smartphone to Rs. 51,999 and Rs. 60,000 for the 64GB and 128GB variants.

The Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL cash back offer is valid until March 31, 2018. The other notable aspect is that this cashback offer is available only on purchases via select retail stores and Flipkart. Interestingly, the online retailer lets you avail further discount on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in the form of exchange offers. To be specific, the exchange discount is up to Rs. 16,000 on Flipkart, provided the old device you are exchanging meets the terms and conditions.

Flipkart offers another benefit as well. The retailer lets you opt for the Buyback Guarantee program at just Rs. 49. On enrolling in this program, Flipkart will give the best exchange value of Rs. 28,500 on exchanging the Pixel 2 after the specified time. Also, there are no cost EMI payment options available.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 to be the first with the in-screen fingerprint sensor

Samsung has been long reported to be working on developing an in-screen fingerprint sensor. There were a lot of reports about the Galaxy S9 featuring the new technology, but unfortunately, the company had to drop the idea due to technical constraints. Now a new report from The Korean Herald, Samsung will bring the new technology with its upcoming flagship Galaxy Note 9.

The Korea Herald's sources say, 'Samsung Display has prepared three or four solutions for Samsung Electronics to embed the fingerprint sensor inside of the main display, and both are seriously considering one of the solutions,' meaning that Samsung is very close to finalizing a solution.

They went on to say, 'The delay in deciding on the final concept for the Note 9 is due to the work in adopting the in-display fingerprint sensor. A final decision on adoption of the technology will be made by this month.'

Another person close to the matter said, 'There is enough time for the display company to improve the technology to meet the handset maker's expectations before the launch of the Note 9 in late August,' so even if the new technology is not fully ready, the company might go ahead with the implementation.

Usually, the final decision on flagship devices have been about five months before they go official so this might be the right time.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 will be unveiled in the third quarter of this year. According to the earlier speculations, the Galaxy Note 9 is believed to feature an Infinity Display as the Galaxy S8 and S9.

The display is likely to feature a QHD resolution and 18.5:9 aspect ratio. This time, the fingerprint sensor is believed to be positioned in a more comfortable manner than at the rear of the Galaxy Note 8. As per the reports, Samsung will not implement an under-display fingerprint sensor on the Galaxy Note 9.

Reliance JioMusic, Saavn Collab

Reliance Jio is making a big bet on music streaming with the announcement of a strategic partnership with existing digital music platform Saavn. Jio has acquired a partial stake in Saavn for $104 million and the deal will see a new music streaming entity combining Saavn's existing offerings with those of JioMusic. Reliance is touting the upcoming combined music streaming service as one of the largest media streaming platforms in the country and one of the biggest music streaming services in the world.

A press release shared by the company states, "The integrated business will be developed into a media platform of the future with global reach, cross-border original content, an independent artist marketplace, consolidated data and one of the largest mobile advertising mediums."

There is no name yet for this new Jio-Saavn streaming service but the combined entity plans to invest aggressively in signing up new users, artists, music labels, as well as advertisers.

Jio subscribers can expect to get special free access to the new streaming platform, however, it seems likely that the streaming service will be open for all to subscribe.

JioMusic currently has over 16 million HD songs in 20 languages. Saavn, on the other hand, has been around much longer than JioMusic and features 36 million tracks across 15 languages, with over 900 existing music label partnerships. The combination of Jio's music streaming service and Saavn will also feature the latter's original programming, 'Artist Originals' (AO). With AO, Saavn licenses, conceptualizes and produces original music with an independent artist, so the new streaming service will serve as a platform for indie music enthusiasts as well. Jio seems to be gunning for an Indian version of Apple Music and given the telecom operator's growing popularity and subscriber base, competing streaming platforms will have to be varied.

Speaking on this strategic transaction, Akash Ambani, Director, Reliance Jio, said, "The investment and combination of our music assets with Saavn underlines our commitment to further boost the digital ecosystem and provide unlimited digital entertainment services to consumers over a strong uninterrupted network."

Rishi Malhotra, Co-Founder and CEO at Saavn, said, "Our alignment with Reliance enables us to create one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most capable media platforms in the world."

Paramdeep Singh, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman at Saavn, added, "Our partnership with Reliance reinforces our commitment to the growth of our label partners, the independent artist ecosystem, and the overall music industry globally.