Technology Guru

AI on smartphones is one of the big trends to look out for in 2018.  While AI has numerous uses, on a handheld device, the benefits will be limited initially. Camera benefits   This is one of the key areas phone makers are working on with respect to AI. Using AI, the phone’s camera interface can detect the subject in the camera frame (landscape, food, fireworks etc.) and accordingly adjust the settings for the best possible image. AI can also identify facial features and automatically enhance them for a superior portrait. Language translator There are translation apps available that let you take an image with text in one language to another language. However, these apps use Internet to upload the image for analysis and then translation. With on-board AI, your phone will be capable of translating different languages in real-time without the need of an Internet connection. User  behavior An AI system is designed to learn and adapt as it is used over time. On...

Google Assistant which lets users control Chromecasts from its "Google Home" smart speakers is now expanding the feature to Google Assistant on Android smartphones and iPhones. The mobile assistant app can control a cast session through voice and the user can even specify which Chromecast in the house is the target, Android Police reported late on Friday. The user needs to start Assistant on the device and give a command such as "Play Spotify on Chromecast" and it will perform the desired action. Along with the ability to start or stop media, the user can also control volume, pause, and do everything else that is possible with "Google Home". The internet giant has reportedly confirmed the new feature has been introduced for all Android and iPhone users. However, it is likely that the company may roll out the update in batches. The new feature is compatible with traditional Chromecasts, Chromecast Audios and devices that have Chromecast built-in. Google ...

HMD Global, the Finnishcompany behind the next-generation Nokia smartphones, on September 26 launched the flagship Nokia 8 in India at Rs 36,999. The smartphone will go on sale starting October 14 on Amazon India and at offline retail stores. HMD Global resurrected the Nokia brand by launching the Nokia 6, Nokia 5 and Nokia 3 -- the the first batch of Nokia-branded smartphone devices to run on the Android ecosystem. However, there was an absence of a flagship product in the range, somewhat restricting the scope. The Nokia 8 is the first premium flagship device from the stable of HMD Global offering top-of-the-line specifications, coupled with exclusive features reminiscent of Nokia’s heyday. The Nokia 8 is powered by Qualcomm’s premium Snapdragon 835 processor, with a 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal memory. There is a dual camera setup on the back that utilises Carl Zeiss optics and OZO audio solution technology, which allows the phone to capture crisp and cle...

Looking to take on Reliance Jio in the handset space, the country’s top telecom operator, Bharti Airtel, has partnered Karbonn Mobiles to offer a 4G smartphone at an “effective price” of Rs 1,399.  In a dig at Jio’s Rs 1,500 4G-enabled feature phone, the Sunil Bharti Mittal-led company said its smartphone would be made available for the price of a feature phone. Airtel said this was the first of several partnerships it plans with handset manufacturers to bring affordable bundled 4G smartphone options to its customers. In July, Jio had announced a 4G feature phone for a security deposit of Rs 1,500, returnable at the end of three years for a full refund, making the device virtually free for consumers.  “A customer needs to make a down-payment of Rs 2,899 for the 4G smartphone and make 36 continuous monthly recharges of Rs 169 each. The customer will get a cash refund of Rs 500 after 18 months and another Rs 1,000 after 36 months, taking the total cash benefit to Rs 1...

After the fingerprint sensor, the next tech innovation that’s all set to become a smartphone staple is the dual camera. And for good reason too. After all, an engaging camera is something that all classes of users appreciate on their phones and an extra sensor is a great way to compensate for smartphone photography constraints. Slowly and steadily, reasonably good dual-camera hardware is now seeping down to affordable Android phones. And if that’s precisely what you have been hankering for, here are the best dual camera phone options available under 20,000 INR. 1. Moto G5s Plus Lenovo’s Moto G5s Plus too comes with two rear camera sensors – one color and one monochrome. Together the two sensors gather more light to enhance image details. Besides, the second sensor is also used for depth sensing for adding bokeh effect (aka portrait mode). The portrait mode is still work in progress, but the regular shots from the phone are pretty good. The G5s Plus also boasts of a q...