The Oppo F19 Pro series launch in India is on the horizon. The company has dropped the first teaser of the upcoming Oppo F19 Pro series on Amazon today.
The Amazon teaser suggests there are two new phones incoming - the Oppo F19 Pro Plus 5G and the Oppo F19 Pro. The last-gen Oppo F17 series had the Oppo F17 and the Oppo F17 Pro. The Oppo F19 series is missing the vanilla Oppo F19, at least for now. Ahead of the launch in India tipster, Sudhanshu has leaked the specs of the devices.
While the Oppo F19 Pro Plus is said to bring 5G support onboard, the Oppo F19 Pro seems to not have much of an upgrade from the Oppo F17 Pro.
The Oppo F19 Pro Plus 5G will be the first 5G device in the F series and also the first Plus variant in the series. The F19 Pro Plus is tipped to be powered by MediaTek Dimensity 800U chipset which also powers the Realme X7 and Realme Narzo 30 Pro. As for the screen, the device is said to sport a 6.4-inch AMOLED display though the resolution is not mentioned, it is likely to be an FHD+ screen. It is also tipped to feature an in-display fingerprint sensor.
As for the optics, the device will be having a 64MP primary camera, an 8MP wide-angle camera, and a 2MP depth camera while a 32MP selfie shooter will be placed inside the punch-hole cutout in the front. In terms of battery life, the device is said to pack in a 4,500mAh battery with 30W fast charging support.
The successor to the last year’s Oppo F17 Pro, the Oppo F19 Pro is likely to the same 6.4-inch AMOLED display, MediaTek Helio P95 chipset, and in-display fingerprint scanner. There seems to be a bump in terms of battery capacity with 4,310mAh unit as opposed to a 4,000mAh. The fast charging speed of 30W is also on the cards.
According to the leak, the cameras on the Oppo F19 Pro also doesn’t get a big upgrade from the last gen. It is said to come with a 48MP main camera followed by an 8MP wide angle camera, a 2MP macro and a 2MP depth sensor. The Oppo F17 Pro boasted two 2MP mono sensors. Selfie camera on the Oppo F19 Pro is said to come with a single 16MP which is again looks like downgrade from 16+2MP dual selfie camera.
Oppo F19 Pro pricing (expected)
The Oppo F19 Pro 6+128GB variant is expected to be priced around Rs 20,000 in India, according to the leakster.
Going by the past records, the Oppo F series has always been thin profile, design, and cameras rather than specs game. With the Oppo F19 Pro series as well, we could see thin and light phones.
For now, we do not have any launch date of the Oppo F19 Pro series, but since the Amazon listing is already live, we could see the launch as early as next week. We could also see the Oppo Band launch along with the Oppo F19 Pro series in India as the fitness tracker was spotted on BIS a few weeks back.
The Oppo Find X3 series will be one of the many upcoming smartphone launches in March, with no fewer than three devices expected. A new development potentially confirms the existence of a fourth model.
The family will be unveiled in global markets on March 11. Based on the information currently available, three smartphones will launch: the Oppo Find X3 Pro, the Find X3 Lite and the Find X3 Neo. A regular Oppo Find X3 was notably missing from all previous leaks. That changes now.
(Image credit: Master Lu (via GSMArena))
A new Oppo smartphone with the model number PEDM00 was spotted on Master Lu, which is a benchmarking app that is commonly used in China. The listing confirms some key specifications, such as the Snapdragon 870 chipset at a frequency of 3.2GHz, 8GB of RAM and a QHD+ display with a resolution of 3216 x 1440 pixels.
Other expected features include a 120Hz refresh rate with a new display management system, 65W fast charging, Android 11 and triple cameras.
Since the top-of-the-line Oppo Find X3 Pro will feature the Snapdragon 888 chipset, it makes sense for the slightly cheaper Find X3 to opt for the slightly lower-powered Snapdragon 870 processor.
The fact that the Oppo Find X3 was not spotted on global repositories earlier could be an indication that it will be exclusive to certain Asian countries such as India, where brands tend to be more competitive with the prices. Last year, Oppo launched only the Find X2 in India, skipping on the X2 Pro as it would’ve been too expensive for a price-sensitive market.
It also seems that the March 11 event is only for the global markets, as Oppo India is yet to mention it. While the Find X3 series was confirmed to launch, it might happen a little later.
On the horizon, we have the Oppo Find 19 series and the Oppo Band India launches, which are slated for the coming weeks.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today took the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine as the second phase of the vaccination drive in India got underway.
India is inoculating people over the age of 60, and those over 45 with existing health conditions (co-morbidities). It aims to cover 10 crore people across the country. So far in the first phase, more than 1.5 core people have received Covid-19 shots.
Alongside the second phase of inoculation, the Co-WIN platform for registering for the Covid-19 vaccine is live for those people eligible for it. Those falling in the eligible criteria can get themselves registered at https://selfregistration.cowin.gov.in/
Co-WIN (Covid Vaccine Intelligence Network) monitors the inoculation drive and also tracks the listed beneficiaries for vaccination on a real-time basis.
Govt releases user manual for help in registration
Snapshot of what the self-registration on Co-WIN entails(Image credit: Indian government)
More than 10,000 private hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PMJAY, more than 600 hospitals under the CGHS and other private hospitals empanelled under State schemes are functioning as vaccination centres.
The government has also shared a user manual for registration and appointment for the vaccination programme.
The second phase of the inoculation programme will be conducted at 10,000 government facilities, with people receiving shots free of charge, and at 20,000 private hospitals where a fee will be charged.
Private hospitals, it is said, can charge up to Rs 250 per dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.
India, it may be recalled, granted emergency-use approval to two vaccines -- Covishield, the local name of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, and Covaxin, which was developed by Indian drugmaker Bharat Biotech. Both require two doses, administered 28 days apart.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi taking the Covid-19 vaccine shot at AIIMS, New Delhi today (March 1, 2021).(Image credit: Indian government)
Technical glitches while registering on Co-WIN
Meanwhile, reports have emerged that the Android app has encountered a glitch regarding the One-Time Password (OTP) verification.
After entering the mobile number, users are supposed to get an OTP to successfully register themselves on the app --- only the Android version in available till now.
But as per a news story in News18, the Co-WIN mobile app is not sending the OTP to users’ mobile numbers in order to get registered for the vaccine.
This complaint was also echoed by a few Twitter users who tried to register themselves on the Co-WIN platform.
CoWIN registration done , I can’t move beyond that , not able to chose next step of selection vaccination center , glitches in Govt CoWIN app , what a let down when ppl have been waiting for this this day for vac jab pic.twitter.com/h5yKgqJ7SNMarch 1, 2021
To receive the vaccine, one must register on the app using their mobile number or any other identity documents. The person then needs to visit the vaccination centre on the scheduled date and time and get the inoculation done, following which he gets a certificate.
The Co-WIN dashboard will provide all information including name, age, mobile number, vaccination status, date and time of vaccination, place of vaccination, session site, health facility and name of vaccinator.
The government has also clarified recently that Aadhaar is not mandatory for registration on Co-WIN portal.
For registration, users can upload any one of the officially recognised 12 identification documents.
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After some anticipation, we've finally got confirmation of the Oppo Find X3 launch date - we're going to see the next generation o...
Oppo Find X3 launch date confirmed - but something might be missing from the event
After some anticipation, we've finally got confirmation of the Oppo Find X3 launch date - we're going to see the next generation of flagship Oppo phones unveiled on March 11.
This event is set to stream on the company's YouTube channel - a page is already live - and it will kick off at 3:30am PT / 6:30am ET / 11:30am GMT / 10:30pm ACT. That's pretty early in some regions, but since Oppo doesn't sell smartphones in the US, it makes sense.
TechRadar will be sure to cover the launch event and everything it brings, so check back at the allotted time for that. But what will the event bring? We don't know for certain, but Oppo's announcement does hint towards something rumors have already pointed at...
We're not accusing Oppo's next flagship smartphone line of being vapor, but some leaks have suggested that there won't be a phone just called the 'Oppo Find X3', instead suggesting there will be a Find X3 Pro, Find X3 Neo and Find X3 Lite. The Find X2 series had those three phones as well as a 'standard' model.
In its announcement of the 'Find X3 Series launch event', as Oppo calls it, the company refers to the 'high-end, billion colour flagship smartphone, the OPPO Find X3 Pro'. Usually when a company refers to its new smartphone line, it does so through the titular device, which would in this case be the Find X3. The reference to the Find X3 Pro instead is curious.
In fact, the majority of the announcement alludes to new Oppo Find X3 Pro features and specs - the only details confirmed are ones we already knew, like the use of the Snapdragon 888 chipset and new Full-path Color Management display system, which lets the screen be more color accurate.
Of course, the lack of a 'vanilla' Oppo Find X3 being mentioned isn't an explicit confirmation that such a phone isn't coming, but when considered alongside the rumors we've already mentioned, it's as close to definite as we can get until the company actually says so.
So we'll be sure to tune into the Oppo Find X3 series launch on March 11 to see for sure what's coming, and closer to the event you'll see more coverage from us on the phones.
With so many shows and movies to choose from on Australia's major streaming services, it can often be difficult to find the best new stuff to entertain yourself with each week.
In an effort to make things easier, every Monday we'll be highlighting the best new shows and movies to watch on Aussie streaming platforms, covering the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus, Binge, Foxtel Now, Stan and Amazon Prime Video.
Below, you'll find a list of this week's highlights, separated by streaming service, with binge-worthy new shows sitting alongside some great big-budget new movie arrivals – and a couple of oddball left-of-field entries, just for some variety.
Thankfully, there's a nice selection of new shows and great movies landing on Australia's streaming services for watching Monday through Sunday. Here are our streaming picks for the week of March 1-7, 2021.
Disney Plus
WandaVision (TV series – series finale available 5/3/2021)
After all these years, last week's episode of WandaVision saw Wanda finally receive the title of Scarlet Witch from her new nemesis. Now, it's time to see what Wanda will do to get herself out of her current predicament. One thing's likely: we imagine this week's finale will have big consequences for the future of the MCU.
A sequel over thirty years in the making, Eddie Murphy's beloved comedy classic Coming to America is getting an official follow-up in the ingeniously titled Coming 2 America. Now King of Zamunda, Akeem (Murphy) discovers he has an estranged son in America and must go back to Queens, New York in order to find him. Of course, his trusted confidante, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), will also be along for the ride, much to his chagrin. Expect all your favourite characters from the original film to return, including the Barbershop guys and even Randy Watson and Sexual Chocolate!
Directed by the funny and talented Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), the new Netflix Original comedy Moxie sees a shy 16-year old girl anonymously publish a zine as a way to stick it to the sexist, toxic guys at her high school. The zine immediately picks up traction with her classmates, starting a school-wide revolution of sorts.
The Walking Dead (TV Series – Season 10C returns 1/3/2021)
After an extended break, The Walking Dead's 10th season returns today with the first of six new episodes. Picking up after the fall of Alpha (Samantha Morton) and the end of the Whisperers War, we find the survivors trying to put the pieces back together and rebuild.
Manhunt: Deadly Games(TV Series – season premieres 5/3/2021)
The latest season of Manhunt is once again inspired by true events, this time the story of Richard Jewell (Cameron Britton), a security officer who partly foils a bombing and then is immediately hung out to dry by the media who sell the narrative of a man who orchestrated the whole thing to pretend to be a hero.
Broadband users across the country can be broadly divided into three parts. One that has access to blazing-fast internet connections with almost 100% uptime and thanks to the competition, these fibre broadband connections are affordable as well. The second category is of the users who are stuck at a place with poor infrastructure or are of low interest to the service providers, hence these users may have broadband access but at abysmal speeds and exorbitant costs.
Then comes the category where there is no connectivity. Forget broadband, even being able to connect to the internet using your phone is a luxury.
A satellite-based internet system may not be of huge interest to the first category apart from the users who are facing troubled connectivity and for the rest, this can be life-changing. Starlink is one such company that plans to bring fast internet connectivity regardless of their physical locations.
With the help of over 12000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Elon Musk’s Starlink will beam high speed, low latency internet across the globe. These satellites are being deployed in Earth’s orbit in a phased manner and will form an array around the Earth to relay internet connectivity from the ground-based stations.
These satellites will be interconnected with the help of lasers to offer seamless coverage across the globe.
Is Starlink feasible in India?
Starlink or any other satellite internet service can be of major help in a country like India. It can offer high-speed wireless connection in congested metro cities and tough terrains where installing wired connectivity is still a challenge.
From villages in the desert of Rajasthan to the hilly Himachal, forests in central India or the coastal regions, high-speed internet will not only help people to connect easily but can be a gamechanger when it comes to education, farming, transport, local commerce etc and can boost the economy.
Apart from metros and some tier 2 cities, a wired broadband connection is scarce. The high cost of setting up and maintaining infrastructure turns out to be the biggest roadblock for ISPs, hence an internet connection that doesn’t cost much is easy to set up and can offer seamless connectivity is a godsend in a country like India.
Additionally, offering connectivity in remote locations of the country will be in line with the federal government's “Digital India” dreams. Though, the government prefers local manufacturing and promotes local businesses under Vocal for Local, however, letting Elon Musk’s ambitious project connect rural India to the world could be a massive step in the direction to support innovation.
Starlink, like Tesla, has plans to offer its services in India. SpaceX has already written to the Indian government to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for facilitating approvals to use satellite technology for internet access in remote areas.
(Image credit: Future)
How can I sign-up for Starlink internet in India?
As of now Starlink is offering public beta connections and has over 10,000 users enrolled in the service across various countries like the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, and Australia etc.
Anyone can apply for a Starlink connection in India. Since it’s a beta phase, the connection is being rolled out in a phased manner. Its official website states that the service “is available to a limited number of users per coverage area at this time. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.”
You can enter your street address to check the availability. This availability date may depend on the area that you live in. In most cases that we’ve come across (including ours), the website mentions limited availability and probably 2022 is when you can expect the services in the country.
What is the cost of a Starlink subscription in India?
Starlink does not have any tie-ups with local payment services in India. Hence all the payments you make will be in US dollars. The payments can be made using a credit card, debit card as well as Apple Pay. The subscriptions charges are as below:
Upfront deposit - $99. This will be deducted from the monthly subscription fee once the connection is activated. This is a refundable deposit that will be refunded, in case, Starlink isn’t able to provide services in your area.
Monthly subscription fee - $99. This includes unlimited data access
Hardware cost - $499 + shipping. The Starlink kit includes an antenna similar to DTH antennas installed all around us, a router, a power supply, and a mount.
This Starlink kit is sent across when the company is able to offer connectivity services in your area. Apart from shipping, customs charges could be additional.
What kind of speed can I expect from Starlink in India?
The speeds offered by Starlink may vary initially depending on the satellite coverage. The website itself warns you to be ready for occasional no connectivity periods as well. Though this is subject to improve as SpaceX deploys more satellites into orbit.
As of now, users who’re a part of the beta test are reportedly getting download speeds of 100 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of 20 Mbps with latency is at or below 31 milliseconds.
While the current speeds may not be extremely impressive as in most cases wired broadband can offer way faster services, however, Starlink is currently offering internet with the help of one-twelfth of the planned satellites. Once fully deployed, according to the company’s claims, Starlink can offer up to 10Gbps download speeds.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I apply for a Starlink subscription?
Since the service is already in its beta testing phase, it may soon go live for a wider audience. However, in India it may go live sometime next year, subject to regulatory approvals. That being said, you still can sign up for the beta program.
However, keep in mind the below points before paying the upfront fees:
No specific date mentioned for the services to go live
Currently, the speeds are limited. You may get faster internet speeds already on fiber in your area or may get it before Starlink goes live
The subscription charges are $99 per month that translates to Rs. 7000 approximately every month and compared to other ISPs in India, this is the costliest service at the moment.
It is ideal for places with no connectivity.
There could be periods of total blackout as mentioned above
It may not have any local support centre, at least initially
Its services are impacted by bad weather just like your DTH connection
Are there any Starlink competitors in India?
The idea of space on the internet is not new and Starlink is not the only company in its segment. India has Bharti-backed OneWeb with similar plans. It will launch over 640 satellites across 21 launches to offer satellite internet services across the globe. Like Starlink, even OneWeb is expected to start offering services in India in 2022.
Even Amazon’s Project Kuiper is one such service that could beam the internet directly from space and may use over 3,236 satellites. Project Kuiper is also expected to go live next year.
Also, worth mentioning is Google’s Project Loon, which was recently shut down but was working on similar principles. Though rather than using satellites, Google deployed balloons in the stratosphere to deliver wireless internet in remote areas of the world. This project was shut down recently because Google felt that it was not commercially viable. Even Facebook’s Aquila solar-powered internet plane that wanted to beam internet via laser was found impractical and was closed down prematurely.
Having said that, the space internet industry is hotting up. Apart from these multinational corporations, there are smaller companies that are planning to launch similar services, however, for a specific geo-location like a country-specific. We’re yet to hear any such announcements for India.
Aside, State-run BSNL in collaboration with Skylo is also looking to set up the world’s first satellite-based IoT network. This is aimed at offering connectivity to billions of sensors and machines in maritime, agriculture, railway, logistics, and the ones that help in disaster management. Though this may not offer satellite internet commercially, however, works on similar principles.
Samsung Galaxy M12 India launch is India is set on March 11. The device will be launched as the successor to the Galaxy M11 in India. Ahead of the launch, the Amazon teaser has confirmed several specs of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy M12 in India. The product unveiling is set for 12 noon on March 11.
Last week, Mukul Sharma had tipped a few key features of the Samsung Galaxy M12 device and today, the same specs have been confirmed by Amazon. The Samsung Galaxy M12 is said to bring a big leap in terms of display, camera, and processor. Here is what the Galaxy M12 brings to the table.
For starters, the Samsung Galaxy M12 will come with a 6.5-inch Infinity-V display with a 90Hz screen refresh rate. This will be the first Samsung budget phone to offer a high refresh rate and the first in the M series as well. That said, Samsung might go back to the LCD panel as the teaser doesn’t mention AMOLED anywhere. Further, the phone will have a quad rear camera setup with a 48MP ISOCELL GM2 main lens followed by three other cameras. To the front, there is a dew-drop notch that houses the selfie camera.
In terms of battery, the Samsung Galaxy M12 will sport a 6,000mAh battery, which is an upgrade from the 5,000mAh on the Galaxy M11. As for the performance, the device will be powered by an 8nm Exynos chipset - the exact processor is not revealed yet. The fingerprint scanner will be embedded in the fingerprint scanner. While this is all we have as the confirmed specs, for now, the previous leaks give us more details on the Galaxy M12. Textures pattern back panel is also confirmed.
(Image credit: Amazon)
The handset is said to feature a 5MP wide-angle camera, a 2MP f/2.4 macro, and a 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor along with the 48MP main camera. It is expected to have an 8MP selfie camera. It is said to come with an HD+ resolution screen and up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Samsung Galaxy M12 price
The Samsung Galaxy M12 Indian pricing is said to start under Rs 12,000 for the base variant according to leakster Mukul Sharma.
Star on Disney Plus has officially launched in New Zealand, bringing with it a wider range of movies in the process – including films which are strictly for grown ups.
For those of you who were already existing Disney Plus subscribers, that means you essentially get twice the content for only a minor increase in price, which is exceptional value.
Along with a huge selection of newly added TV shows, the arrival of Star to the Disney Plus streaming service brings with it a vast back catalogue of films from 20th Century Studios, which has a large number of classics in its lineup.
Best of all, many of the movies added have been made available to stream in 4K HDR, which is a nice bonus for those looking to revisit some greats from Fox's library.
For many '90s kids, there was no bigger cinematic event than the arrival of Independence Day, a science-fiction epic that put all of humanity up against some very hostile invading aliens. It was the movie that solidified Will Smith as a film star, and which doubled down on the charm exhibited by Jeff Goldblum only a few years after his turn in Jurassic Park. A grand-scale movie that's packed with charm and heart, Independence Day is blockbuster cinema at its most entertaining.
The Shape of Water
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Fan-favourite filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim) achieved massive awards success with The Shape of Water, a film which went on to earn several Oscars, including Best Director and Best Picture. A fantasy-tinged romance, The Shape of Water follows a mute cleaner (Sally Hawkins) and her burgeoning relationship with an amphibious creature (Doug Jones) who's being held captive in the facility she works at. Despite its wild premise, The Shape of Water wears its heart on its sleeve, approaching the material with complete seriousness and conviction, which is what all great films should strive for.
Deadpool
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Disney Plus has long been the streaming home of Marvel, but the service's roster of popular Marvel characters has always suffered from one major omission: Deadpool. Of course, the 'Merc with a Mouth' didn't quite fit with Disney's family friendly image, but that all changes with the arrival of Star, meaning Deadpool can finally join the rest of Marvel's lineup without any censoring whatsoever. Pretty f---ing good news if you ask us.
Deadpool 2
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Loved Deadpool? Well, why not keep the party going with Deadpool 2? It's a film that ups the ante in terms of scope and action, bringing in fan favourite characters from the X-Men universe such as Cable (Josh Brolin) and Domino (Zazie Beetz) to fill out its super-powered roster. As violent and profane as its predecessor, Deadpool 2 is a great follow-up that sets up even bigger things in the future.
Die Hard
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
There are countless Christmas movies to stream on Disney Plus, but thanks to the arrival of Star, we now have access to arguably the greatest Christmas movie of all: Die Hard. John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York cop who arrives in Los Angeles to attend his estranged wife's work Christmas party. Unfortunately, the party attracts a number of uninvited guests who proceed to take the entire building hostage. Now, it's up to McClane to save his wife and stop the terrorists.
Patton
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
One of the great war films of all time, Patton has arrived on Disney Plus Star in glorious 4K HDR. Based on true events, the film stars the late, great George C. Scott, who would win an Oscar for his performance as the titular general (Scott famously refused to accept the award, stating he did not believe in competition with other actors). The film would also go on to win six other Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. If you haven't seen Patton, now's the time to fill that gap in your cinematic knowledge.
Logan
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Another grown-up Marvel effort, Logan arrives on Disney Plus Star alongside Deadpool to showcase a grittier, more violent side to the superhero genre. Logan acts as a swansong for Hugh Jackman's portrayal of Wolverine, the tortured mutant known for his ability to instantly heal and the metal claws that shoot out of his knuckles whenever he or his friends are threatened. In his final outing, Logan is tasked with protecting a young girl (Dafne Keen), who shares his exact abilities, from people who want to capture and exploit her powers.
Alien
(Image credit: 20 Century Studios)
Director Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien arrives on Disney Plus sporting a glorious 4K remaster which enhances the film's spectacular art design and creature effects. In the coldness of space, the merchant vessel Nostromo receives a distress signal which they are forced to investigate. Once there, a crew member is attacked by an alien creature. Despite the protestations of acting senior office Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the crew member is allowed back on board the Nostromo, unwittingly bringing an implanted alien in with him.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
While many consider Dawn of the Planet of the Apes to be the superior film, its predecessor Rise of the Planet of the Apes is arguably the more important entry in the series, setting the bar when it comes to the character development of computer-generated characters. In Rise, we get to witness the complete transformation of Caesar (Andy Serkis), who goes from happy chimp to ape revolutionary in a way that plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy. The film also boasts the most standout moment in the new Apes trilogy, in which Caesar speaks for the first time – truly the stuff of movie magic.
Microsoft gets a new leader for its Greater China business. Yang Hou, a former executive at Qualcomm, will take over Alain Crozier as the chairman and chief executive officer for Microsoft Greater China Region, according to a company announcement released Monday.
More to come…
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Skydio has raised $170 million in a Series D funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz’s Growth Fund. That pushes it into unicorn territory, ...
Autonomous drone maker Skydio raises $170M led by Andreessen Horowitz
Skydio has raised $170 million in a Series D funding round led by Andreessen Horowitz’s Growth Fund. That pushes it into unicorn territory, with $340 million in total funding and a post-money valuation north of $1 billion. Skydio’s fresh capital comes on the heels of its expansion last year into the enterprise market, and it intends to use the considerable pile of cash to help it expand globally and accelerate product development.
In July of last year, Skydio announced its $100 million Series C financing, and also debuted the X2, its first dedicated enterprise drone. The company also launched a suite of software for commercial and enterprise customers, its first departure from the consumer drone market where it had been focused prior to that raise since its founding in 2014.
Skydio’s debut drone, the R1, received a lot of accolades and praise for its autonomous capabilities. Unlike other consumer drones at the time, including from recreational drone maker DJI, the R1 could track a target and film them while avoiding obstacles without any human intervention required. Skydio then released the Skydio 2 in 2019, its second drone, cutting off more than half the price while improving on it its autonomous tracking and video capabilities.
Late last year, Skydio brought on additional senior talent to help it address enterprise and government customers, including a software development lead who had experience at Tesla and 3D printing company Carbon. Skydio also hired two Samsara executives at the same time to work on product and engineering. Samsara provides a platform for managing cloud-based fleet operations for large enterprises.
The applications of Skydio’s technology for commercial, public sector and enterprise organizations are many and varied. Already, the company works with public utilities, fire departments, construction firms and more to do work including remote inspection, emergency response, urban planning and more. Skydio’s U.S. pedigree also puts it in prime position to capitalize on the growing interest in applications from the defense sector.
a16z previously led Skydio’s Series A round. Other investors who participated in this Series D include Lines Capital, Next47, IVP and UP.Partners.
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iPhone 13 could come with 1TB of storage, according to new report
If you're the type who believes you can never have too much smartphone storage, you might be happy to hear that Apple may be planning on releasing an iPhone 13 model with up to 1TB of storage, as reported by 9to5Mac.
The claim is based on a new report from the investment firm Wedbush Securities, which notes a supply chain check that suggests the Cupertino company's next-generation iPhone will offer a 1TB storage for the first time.
At present, Apple's iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models offer up 512GB of storage, and both are already quite expensive – we can only imagine how much an iPhone 13 Pro model with 1TB will end up costing.
This isn't the first time that an iPhone 13 with 1TB of storage has been mooted – the YouTube channel Front Page Tech made the same claim back in January.
In terms of iOS devices, Apple has offered a 1TB version of its iPad Pro since 2018, so it's entirely plausible that the company will eventually offer the same amount of storage on the iPhone.
Of course, we won't know for sure until Apple officially announces its new handsets later in the year. Thankfully, it seems that iPhone 13 is still tipped to be launching in September 2021 as normal.
Online genealogy company MyHeritage has a new tool that can help bring your family history to... life. Sort of.
Deep Nostalgia is a new AI-powered tool that can animate still photos of people by adding simple effects like smiles, nods and blinks. It can add movement to any old photograph, and is free to try, as long as you create an account with MyHeritage.
After uploading a photograph of a loved one, it's processed through the AI which adds a set of animations based on facial expressions of MyHeritage employees. The result – available in 10-20 seconds – is presented to you in the form of a very short video clip or gif.
A company called MyHeritage is now offering a new service, Called Deep Nostalgia, that can animate people in old photos creating a short video that looks like it was recorded while they posed and prepped for the portrait [read more: https://t.co/TvjAQdSf9A] pic.twitter.com/5Mn3YLgi6WFebruary 27, 2021
The AI has been licensed from Israeli company D-ID (which stands for 'de-identification') and is currently only capable of animating people's faces. Even multiple faces in a single photograph can be brought to life.
Whether the idea of bringing dead relatives to life is brilliant or creepy is, perhaps for you to decide. Even MyHeritage admits this can be polarizing.
"Some people love the Deep Nostalgia feature and consider it magical," MyHeritage states in the FAQ section on its Deep Nostalgia page, "while others find it creepy and dislike it. Indeed, the results can be controversial and it's hard to stay indifferent to this technology."
Deep Nostalgia went viral on Twitter over the weekend, with people keen on bringing the deceased loved ones to life. Some, however, took it a step further and tried it on photographs of historical statues... with some interesting results.
Here's Alexander the Great pic.twitter.com/djbnzszFM0February 28, 2021
If you'd like to try this out for yourself, head to the Deep Nostalgia website and set up a free account. You can upload up to five photos for free, but any more will require you to get a paid account. If you already have a Complete subscription with MyHeritage, you can use the service at no additional cost and upload unlimited photographs.
If you're worried about privacy, MyHeritage says it doesn't share photos with third parties and, as mentioned on the Deep Nostalgia's homepage, "photos uploaded without completing signup are automatically deleted to protect your privacy".
Japanese space startup Gitai has raised a $17.1 million funding round, a Series B financing for the robotics startup. This new funding will be used for hiring, as well as funding the development and execution of an on-orbit demonstration mission for the company’s robotic technology, which will show its efficacy in performing in-space satellite servicing work. That mission is currently set to take place in 2023.
Gitai will also be staffing up in the U.S., specifically, as it seeks to expand its stateside presence in a bid to attract more business from that market.
“We are proceeding well in the Japanese market, and we’ve already contracted missions from Japanese companies, but we haven’t expanded to the U.S. market yet,” explained Gitai founder and CEO Sho Nakanose in an interview. So we would like to get missions from U.S. commercial space companies, as a subcontractor first. We’re especially interested in on-orbit servicing, and we would like to provide general-purpose robotic solutions for an orbital service provider in the U.S.”
Nakanose told me that Gitai has plenty of experience under its belt developing robots which are specifically able to install hardware on satellites on-orbit, which could potentially be useful for upgrading existing satellites and constellations with new capabilities, for changing out batteries to keep satellites operational beyond their service life, or for repairing satellites if they should malfunction.
Gitai’s focus isn’t exclusively on extra-vehicular activity in the vacuum of space, however. It’s also performing a demonstration mission of its technical capabilities in partnership with Nanoracks using the Bishop Airlock, which is the first permanent commercial addition to the International Space Station. Gitai’s robot, codenamed S1, is an arm–style robot not unlike industrial robots here on Earth, and it’ll be showing off a number of its capabilities, including operating a control panel and changing out cables.
Long-term, Gitai’s goal is to create a robotic workforce that can assist with establishing bases and colonies on the Moon and Mars, as well as in orbit. With NASA’s plans to build a more permanent research presence on orbit at the Moon, as well as on the surface, with the eventual goal of reaching Mars, and private companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin looking ahead to more permanent colonies on Mars, as well as large in-space habitats hosting humans as well as commercial activity, Nakanose suggests that there’s going to be ample need for low-cost, efficient robotic labor – particularly in environments that are inhospitable to human life.
Nakanose told me that he actually got started with Gitai after the loss of his mother – an unfortunate passing he said he firmly believes could have been avoided with the aid of robotic intervention. He began developing robots that could expand and augment human capability, and then researched what was likely the most useful and needed application of this technology from a commercial perspective. That research led Nakanose to conclude that space was the best long-term opportunity for a new robotics startup, and Gitai was born.
This funding was led by SPARX Innovation for the Future Co. Ltd, and includes funding form DcI Venture Growth Fund, the Dai-ichi Life Insurance Company, and EP-GB (Epson’s venture investment arm).
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Creepy or clever? New photo-animating AI promises to bring your old relatives to life
This year’s run of upcoming indie titles on PC due for release is on a different level. The Steam Game Festival 2021 took place from February 3 through February 9 and gave us a taste of what’s to come, with demos, developer interviews and showcases throughout.
The festival showed off games from many genres, with varied art styles, rich storylines, and abstract concepts. Indie developers continue to push the boat of creativity and innovation despite working from small teams and having limited budgets.
Here’s a list of our pick of some of the best indie games due for release this year.
(Image credit: Chashu Entertainment)
Sands of Aura
Sands of Aura is a visually stunning dark fantasy action RPG developed and published by indie studio Chashu Entertainment.
SoA is an open world buried under sand and divided in to islands. Each one has a unique style, lore and varying difficulty levels. The Combat is “souls-like” with seven distinct styles. There are different magical runes to modify your gear and several armor sets to personalize your build.
While the release date is yet to be confirmed, you can add the title to your Steam Wishlist and follow Chashu Entertainment’s Twitter page to keep up with related news and updates.
(Image credit: Wily Pumpkin)
Potentia
Potentia is a third-person action-adventure shooter. It’s developed and published by indie studio Wily Pumpkin.
It has an interesting story, but choose wisely when playing as it’s a tactical shooter. You can either go all-in for full action with your pistol, long-distance by sniping your enemies, or go stealth mode by sneaking up on them with a close combat take down. You have limited supplies of ammo and medkits, but how you win is up to you.
Potentia was released February 11 on Steam for $19.99 and has received “mostly positive” reviews, and the demo is still available to try out.
(Image credit: Breda University of Applied Sciences)
Arid
Arid is an open-world survival craft game with a dry name, the first project by student-led, Sad Viscacha Studio and published by Breda University of Applied Sciences.
You have to survive the harsh conditions of the Atacama Desert - think sun exposure, dehydration, and other natural dangers.
Prepare and craft items that allow you to hunt, gather materials and repair equipment. Climb mountains, explore caves and abandoned locations that double up as temporary refuges.
Arid is free-to-play, and a pre-alpha demo is available to play on Steam. While there is no specific release date, it’s expected to be out very soon.
(Image credit: Big Blue Bubble)
Foregone
Foregone is a 2D action side-scroller with 3D elements, developed and published by Indie game Studio, Big Blue Bubble.
Made with gorgeous pixel art, this single player title is an exciting Metroidvania-style game with a rich storyline, banging weapons and tasty loot. It’s action-packed, with satisfying slasher-and shooter-style combat.
Out on consoles since October 2020, Foregone will be available on PC to purchase on Steam from March 1, but you can add it to your wishlist in the meantime. The demo is still available to play and we strongly suggest you give it a try: you will not be disappointed.
(Image credit: Alien Pixel Studios)
Unbound: Worlds Apart
Unbound: Worlds Apart is a 2D adventure puzzle-platformer developed and published by Romanian indie game company, Alien Pixel Studios.
Unbound: Worlds Apart is a gorgeous, atmospheric, dark fantasy world ravaged by an unknown disaster that destroyed the home of the main character, Soli.
There are boss fights and brutal enemies to overcome while solving puzzles and jumping in and out of different realities via a portal you can conjure at will.
Due for release in the second quarter of 2021, you can add Unbound: Worlds Apart to your Steam wishlist and try out the free demo that’s still available to play.
(Image credit: EXOR studio)
The Riftbreaker
The Riftbreaker is a base-building strategy survival game developed and published by EXOR studio.
Heavily reminiscent of real time strategy (RTS) games like StaCraft 2, Command and Conquer and similar titles, in this game you hack, slash and shoot down beasts to research and gather rare minerals and substances and use them for crafting and upgrading weapons, equipment and technologies.
The Riftbreaker is developed on EXOR Studio’s in-house engine, the Schmetterling 2.0, which offers uncapped frame rate, customizable controls and widescreen monitor support.
There’s no specific release date, but it will be sometime. In the meantime, you can add it to your wishlist and try out the demo on Steam.
(Image credit: Vanimals)
Undying
The Undying is an interesting and touching take on the familiar zombie apocalypse genre.
Developed by Vanimals and published by Skystone Games Inc and Vanimals, Undying is an adventure-survival game with a deep story that follows Anling and her son, Cody through their fight for survival.
Anling has been bitten by a zombie. Now infected, she must stay alive for Cody and teach him survival skills; searching for materials, cooking, crafting and fighting zombies to survive.
Undying is due for release mid 2021. You can add it to your wishlist and play the demo on Steam while you wait.
(Image credit: Fellow Traveller)
Genesis Noir
Genesis Noir is a story-rich exploration point-and-click, published by Fellow Traveller and developed by Feral Cat Den.
In Genesis Noir you jump through pockets of time, create life, destroy a whole civilization and pass through moments in the universe while trying to change the course of destiny to save your love, Miss Mass.
A delightfully abstract and otherworldly game with an interesting take on the start of creation, and an inspired art style.
It’s expected to be released at some point during the first quarter of 2021, but for now you can add it to your Steam wishlist.
(Image credit: Finji)
Chicory: A Colorful Tale
Chicory: A Colorful Tale is a top-down adventure- RPG set in a coloring book world where you play as a dog wielding a magic brush and paint color and life back into the world.
You can explore the world in single-player or co-op mode and paint and solve puzzles to unlock new places and paint abilities. Chicory: A Colorful Tale is developed by Greg Lobanov and published by Finji.
There’s no specific release date just yet, but it will be out this year. You can add it to your Steam wishlist and keep up to date on its developments via Discord or email.
(Image credit: Happy Volcano)
You Suck at Parking
You Suck at Parking is a fun and hilarious racing game where you have to, well, park, but perfectly.
Developed and published by award-winning game studio Happy Volcano, You Suck at Parking is a racing game with a twist. Apart from putting your skills to the test on “the world’s most EXTREME parking game”, in which you must attempt to stop and park at a precise spot; the tracks are user-generated so you can even have a go at designing levels.
Due for release sometime this year, you can add it to your Steam wishlist in the meantime, and try out the free demo.
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