Samsung Galaxy A32 will be launched in India on March 5. It will be available in four colour options, along with 6GB + 128GB storage option. The phone has already been launched in Russia and packs a 5,000mAh battery with 15W fast charging support.
Samsung Galaxy M12, as per an Amazon page, will launch in India on March 11 at 12pm (noon). The phone debuted in Vietnam earlier in February but the pricing was not shared.
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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OnePlus 9 Pro alleged screenshots show that the smartphone will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 SoC, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage, a 6.7-inch 120Hz AMOLED display and 48-megapixel quad rear camera system and Android 11 out-of-the-box.
Oppo F19 Pro+ and Oppo F19 Pro will launch in India soon, a dedicated Amazon page reveals. The Oppo F19 series was first in the news back in December of 2018 but only now has been confirmed to launch in the country.
Realme X9 Pro may feature a full-HD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate. It may sport a hole-punch design with the cutout placed on the top left corner of the screen. The leak reiterates that Realme X7 Pro may be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC.
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.
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".
There haven’t been many exciting Wear OS watches recently, but that could soon change, as OnePlus has confirmed that it has a smartwatch in the works, one which leaks have called simply the OnePlus Watch.
We don’t know a huge amount about the wearable yet, but it sounds like it has been in development for a while, and there's growing evidence that it's landing imminently.
Below you’ll find everything that we’ve heard about the OnePlus Watch so far, including potential release timing, specs, features, and more. We’ll also be updating this article whenever we hear anything new, so check back often if you want to stay up to date on the OnePlus Watch.
OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed via a tweet that the OnePlus Watch will land 'early next year'. Since he said that in late December 2020, he presumably means it'll be here in 2021.
Many of you said you wanted a watch, and as you might have heard over the weekend—we're making one, to be released early next year. Wishes do come true.🎁 https://t.co/H1Fqv9srXjDecember 22, 2020
Perhaps we could see the OnePlus Watch launched alongside the OnePlus 9 at some point in the first few months of the year. That point now looks likely to be the middle of March for both phone and smartwatch.
There's also now more evidence that it's landing soon, as the wearable has been spotted on the BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), which is something that would usually happen close to launch.
As for the price of the OnePlus Watch, we have even less to go on there. Not only are there no price rumors at the time of writing, but there’s also no previous model to go on.
There is the recent Oppo Watch, which starts at £229 (around $300, AU$420). We mention this because OnePlus and Oppo have the same parent company, and their phones often have things in common, but rumors suggest the OnePlus Watch will look quite different to the Oppo Watch, so we wouldn’t count on the prices being similar.
News and leaks
The biggest news on the OnePlus Watch front is simply that it exists, as OnePlus CEO Pete Lau has confirmed as much in an interview.
But even before this the company had virtually confirmed it. It first hinted at the possibility during the OnePlus 8T launch, then OnePlus posted on Twitter that "More things are coming to the OnePlus ecosystem. It's just a matter of time" alongside sketches of a previously abandoned OnePlus Watch the company revealed it had been working on.
More things are coming to the OnePlus ecosystem. It's just a matter of time🧐 pic.twitter.com/r6RIILU8AQOctober 14, 2020
Those sketches were first revealed years ago, and showed off a wearable with a circular screen.
It seems the resurrected version will likely also have a circular screen, as @maxjmb (a leaker with a good track record) claimed as much on Twitter.
Many dont seem to understand it so I clarify it. The Watch is circular. WOTCH https://t.co/HkevfvMfgTSeptember 10, 2020
That in turn suggests it won’t have too much in common with the Oppo Watch (which has a square display), despite the two companies often launching similar devices.
It's also likely that the OnePlus Watch will run Wear OS, as not only does the company make Android phones (which integrate well with Wear OS, as both operating systems are made by Google), but during his confirmation that the watch exists, Lau said that OnePlus is working with Google to “try to improve the connectivity between the Wear OS ecosystem, Android TV, and Android smartphones to create this ability for better device interoperability across the ecosystems.”
A certification listing has also listed two models of the OnePlus Watch, and while we don't know for sure what the difference is it's likely that one includes LTE.
Beyond that, it might well use the recent Snapdragon Wear 4100 or 4100 Plus chipset. There’s no specific rumor of this, but it would be the obvious choice given that most alternative options are quite old now. If it does, then that could allow for better battery life and performance than most Wear OS watches.
We could see the OnePlus 9 series of phones (including probably a OnePlus 9 Pro, and perhaps a OnePlus 9 Lite too) very soon, as OnePlus is one of the phone makers which puts out its first batch of smartphones in the first few months of each year.
Now that the Samsung Galaxy S21 has been revealed, the OnePlus 9 is one of the next big events in smartphone fan calendars, so it's understandable that you'd want to know everything that's leaked about the phones so far.
Perhaps the OnePlus 9 line will be a synthesis of all the best parts of its previous phones; now that the company has a mid-range line, it doesn't need to court that price segment with its main series of devices, so the OnePlus 9 line could have some seriously premium phones.
That's why we've come up with this constantly updated collection of official news and unofficial rumors around the OnePlus 9 phones – and we've also added our own wish list of features and changes we'd like to see in the new model.
The leaks and rumors are only just starting to come through for the device, but we also wanted to put out a few requests of our own, so we can see if the OnePlus 9 manages to live up to our expectations.
When more information becomes available about the OnePlus 9, we'll update this article, and we're going to put our release and pricing speculation below as well, to give you some context.
Latest news
The OnePlus 9 Pro could get a variable display rate, which means the refresh rate changes between 10Hz and 120Hz depending on what you're doing. This could lead the battery life to be way better than on the 8 Pro.
Cut to the chase
What is it? OnePlus' main phone for 2021
When is it out? Likely around April or May 2021
How much will it cost? Probably at least $699 / £599 (around AU$1,100)
OnePlus 9 release date and price
OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro(Image credit: Future)
Normally we'd expect the launch of a OnePlus phone to be around April or May, but a growing number of rumors are suggesting that the OnePlus 9 is going to show up in the middle of March.
OnePlus typically teases its phones in advance of the launch, so maybe we'll hear something about a launch in the very near future. The release date of the phone will likely be a week or two after the official announcement.
In terms of price, that's hard to tell, especially because each successive OnePlus phone creeps into the premium pricing territory more and more, and because the OnePlus Nord means the OnePlus 9 doesn't need to cater to people on a smaller budget.
The OnePlus 8 started at $699 / £599 (around AU$1,100) and went up to $799 / £699 (around $1,372) for more RAM and storage, and the OnePlus 8 Pro started at $899 / £799 and went up to $999 / £899.
Those are some high prices - not Samsung Galaxy S-level eye-watering costs, but pricier than OnePlus phones used to be. And given the Nord wasn't a thing when the 8-series was launched, we could see the OnePlus 9 phones get pricier than that.
There's growing talk that a OnePlus 9 Lite or a OnePlus 9E model is going to be introduced at some point too, which would perhaps offer a more affordable way into the 2021 range from OnePlus.
OnePlus 9 leaks and rumors
We've heard quite a few leaks and rumors on the OnePlus 9, enough that we've split this section into two sub-sections.
The first OnePlus 9 leak was around the codename - 'Lemonade'. A reference to the popular sugary drink, the Beyonce album, the Adam Friedman song, or just a random word chosen by someone at OnePlus to refer to the new phone? Probably the latter.
Design and display
(Image credit: PhoneArena)
One recent leak to reach us involves a set of real world photos and captured screenshots showing off the look of the OnePlus 9 – these would appear to be the genuine article, so see what you think of them.
One big screen leak has given us a hint on the technology we should expect on both the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. Digital Chat Station - a source that has provided correct information in the past - says that both phones will feature 120Hz displays, but the size and technology will differ.
It seems the OnePlus 9 will have a 6.55-inch Full HD+ display, while the OnePlus 9 Pro will move up to a 6.78-inch size with a QHD resolution. The eagle-eyed OnePlus fans will note that means the OnePlus 9 could have the same display as the OnePlus 8T, something a leaker has explicitly stated.
(Image credit: Digital Chat Station)
While that leak states the OnePlus 9 Pro will have a 120Hz screen, we've heard it could in fact have a variable refresh rate, in which the rate changes depending on what you're doing. This could lead to lower battery use, as you won't be using 120Hz when you don't need it.
We've also now seen the first unofficial renders of the OnePlus 9 (embedded below), and it looks as though the design from 2020 is going to be refined further in 2021. The screen size is apparently going to be larger than the 6.55 inches of the OnePlus 8T, but we don't have an exact size yet.
(Image credit: 91mobiles)
We've also seen renders supposedly showing the OnePlus 9 Pro, which you can see below. These include a quad-lens camera and an apparently 6.55-inch screen, but are otherwise similar to the renders of the OnePlus 9 above.
Interestingly only two of the rear camera lenses look big enough to house the likes of a main, ultra-wide or telephoto snapper, so one of those might be missing. We've also now seen a second set of renders which are near identical.
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(Image credit: OnLeaks/The Voice)
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(Image credit: OnLeaks/The Voice)
As for the OnePlus 9 Pro, we can report that some interesting schematic diagrams have found their way on to the web, which you can see below – they give us a closer look at the rear camera array, even if we're not exactly sure at the moment what the camera spec is going to be.
(Image credit: OnePlus/Digital Chat Station)
And if you're hoping for water resistance in the OnePlus 9 range you might be in luck - but only with one model. A leaker claims that the OnePlus 9 Pro will have an IP68 rating (likely meaning it can be submerged up to 1.5 meters deep for up to 30 minutes), but that the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9E will have no official IP rating.
Cameras, specs and battery
According to the aforementioned screenshots, the OnePlus 9 is going to come running the Snapdragon 888 processor, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage on board, which matches up with other whispers we've heard. This device has since showed up on eBay too.
We have an idea of some of the camera specs too, with the OnePlus 9 apparently having a 48MP main camera (outputting 12MP images), a 48MP ultra-wide one, and an unknown third camera. The OnePlus 9 Pro meanwhile is thought to have four rear snappers
One thing we have heard though is that apparently no models in the OnePlus 9 range will have a periscope camera, which could limit their optical zoom potential. No current OnePlus phone has a periscope camera either, but it means optical zoom ranges are likely to be around 3x, rather than up to 10x.
Indeed, another camera leak points to 3.3x zoom, but intriguingly it shows Hasselblad branding on the OnePlus 9 Pro, suggesting a partnership with a major camera maker.
Yes it is true. OnePlus is partnering with Hasselblad on the camera for the OnePlus 9 Series.This was something they tried to keep as secret as possible and I didn't think they would put this logo on prototypes🤦🏽♂️But yeah... that's the #OnePlus9Pro https://t.co/HmQ8Kvt8S7February 6, 2021
The leak also mentions a tilt-shift photography mode for creating shallow depth of field, and talks of there being 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Another source has also suggested 12GB of RAM is likely for at least one model of the phone too.
OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro will hit T-Mobile. Pro model has 12GB of RAM.February 15, 2021
The scores achieved in the benchmark are also a mixed bag, with a high single-core result but a slightly low multi-core one. Still, assuming the benchmark is even real, OnePlus has plenty of time to improve the phone's performance.
Other rumors have centered around the battery and charging: the OnePlus 9 is apparently coming with 65W fast charging, 30W fast wireless charging, and a 4,500mAh battery on board.
We've since heard that both the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro will have 4,500mAh batteries, and the source of this leak hinted that they will sport a dual-cell design, which is needed for 65W charging.
What we want to see
OnePlus 8 Pro(Image credit: Truls Steinung)
1. Wireless charging in the non-Pro phone
The OnePlus 8 Pro has wireless charging, but don't opt for the Pro and you're losing the feature, which isn't great for people who want a more affordable handset but still want the convenience of wireless charging.
Perhaps that was just the case because the OnePlus 8 Pro was the first phone from the company with the cordless charging tech, and it was just testing the feature out - if so, maybe the OnePlus 9 will have wireless charging as well as its Pro sibling.
2. A telephoto lens on the non-Pro OnePlus 9
Here's another piece of tech the OnePlus 8 didn't have but the 8 Pro did - a telephoto camera. This allows you to take optical zoom pictures, closing the distance without losing any resolution.
Zoomed-in shots are arguably more useful than ultra-wide ones, so it's not ideal that many companies including OnePlus prefer to use the ultra-wide lenses but not telephoto for less premium devices.
For full photography potential, we'd like to see the OnePlus 9 have a telephoto and ultra-wide camera, not just one or the other - though if it's got to drop one, at least keep the telephoto.
3. A higher resolution main camera
Both the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro have 48MP main cameras. Since many other companies have 64MP and even 108MP snappers, this feels a little low-res, and we'd like to see some improvement.
Sure, resolution isn't the only factor that dictates how good a smartphone picture is, as pixel size can be important - but the OnePlus 8 didn't have the bigger-pixel 48MP sensor that some other phones have, so it missed out on this advantage.
We'd like to see the OnePlus 9, or even just the 9 Pro, have a high-res main camera, or maybe just a primary snapper with bigger pixels to take better snaps.
OnePlus Nord(Image credit: Future)
4. Two selfie cameras
The OnePlus Nord has two selfie cameras, so you can take standard or wide-angle snaps of yourself and friends. We'd like to see this kind of thing brought over to the OnePlus 9, because it can give you a lot of versatility in selfies.
The second front-facing camera wouldn't necessarily need to have a wide field-of-view - some dual-selfie-camera phones have the main snapper joined by a depth sensor, for improved bokeh or background effects.
5. A 4K screen on the Pro model
There have only been a few phones with 4K screens - and they all come from Sony, with recent examples being the Sony Xperia 1 and Xperia 1 II. No other company has tried to make this kind of super-high-res display for a phone.
Sure, a 4K display is rather unnecessary in most situations, and the 2K of the OnePlus 8 Pro generally is enough for most people. But a 'Pro' phone shouldn't be for everyone, and by definition it has a more limited appeal anyway, so the people going for it might need this kind of high-res screen.
Now that 5G means streaming games, movies and TV in high resolution isn't out the question any more, we'd like to see the first 4K screen on a non-Sony phone.
OnePlus 8 Pro(Image credit: Aakash Jhaveri)
6. Palm rejection technology
An issue we had with the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro is that they didn't seem to have palm rejection technology, and we'd love to see the OnePlus 9 have something along these lines.
Palm rejection technology ensures that, when you accidentally knock the curved edge of the phone screen, the device understands you didn't mean to press it, so nothing happens.
This stops you accidentally swiping between menus or opening apps when you didn't mean to, solving an issue many have with curved-edge phones.
7. A larger battery
The OnePlus 8 had a 4,300mAh battery, which went up to 4,510mAh in the OnePlus 8 Pro.
5,000mAh batteries in phones aren't uncommon though, as such as size ensures the phone will last as long as possible between charges. If the phone has top specs, like a 108MP main sensor or 4K screen (as the OnePlus 9 of our dreams would have), it needs a big battery to cope.
Even if the phone doesn't end up having these high specs, bigger is always better for batteries, as it generally increases the life.
Oppo Find X2 Pro(Image credit: Future)
8. More differences with Oppo Find X line
The OnePlus 8 Pro was very, very similar to the Oppo Find X2 Pro, with the only real differences being that phone having some improved screen optimizations, a better main camera, and a higher price.
That's not a random comparison - OnePlus and Oppo are both owned by BBK Electronics, as are Vivo and Realme, so they're considered sibling companies, and much of the tech developed by one is used by another.
But in the OnePlus 8 and Oppo Find X2 lines, it seems a little too much tech was shared, and the phones were a bit too similar. We'd like the OnePlus 9 to have a lot less in common with the Oppo Find X3 phones so we can see a bit more rivalry in the field.
Our PS5 restock Twitter tracker has led to good news for hundreds of people who have finally been able to track down the hard-to-buy Sony console. And while today, Sunday, February 28, will be slow for restock, we're expecting the weeks ahead to see new PS5 stock from Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon and Target in the US. This week could be your week to find a PS5.
Miss it?Follow our PS5 restock Twitter tracker to receive alerts. It's the fastest way to get real-time updates of console stock. It'll look something like this:
🚨 PS5 restock – they're both live now!!!!! 🥳 ♻️ RT + follow @mattswider + @techradar (can I get to 70,000 followers this weekend?!) ❤️ All versions ($399+): https://t.co/B6Pgt2XRRr https://t.co/Wprfgyojjo pic.twitter.com/KlVlh3x1bsFebruary 26, 2021
Sunday hasn't seen a surge in new PS5 availability – and we predicted that. Weekends are almost always slow for restock. Of course, we have been ready to send out alerts if new stock crosses our tracker.
We've been getting the Twitter restock alerts out there faster than PS5 restock apps, – and we're doing this for free. Of course, you'll still need to be fast to buy the Sony console. For example, the PS5 restock at Target sold out in less than 15 minutes. We saw something similar with the Xbox restock at the same time.
When is PS5 restock in the US?
No, we don't know the exact date and time of the next PS5 restock. But retailers do generally pick the same time for so-called "PS5 drops". Target likes to surprise us all with 5am-9am restocks (last week was 8am), while Amazon does it at 3am EST (their midnight in PST). Sony Direct tends to pick anywhere from 5pm-7pm EST, although it's been earlier in the past. Best Buy and Walmart have chosen midday before.
It's all quite random, which can be maddening as someone who wants to buy a PS5. Remember, 15 minutes to checkout sounds like a long time, but store websites often crash (Walmart, Costco and GameStop), or you're made to wait in a virtual queue (Sony Direct and Best Buy). Every store in the US has a different way of going about it. Oftentimes, your best opportunity is to scoop up a PS5 that's been canceled when someone else's credit cards is declined. It pops back into the inventory.
If you missed last week's PS5 drop, then you can always turn your attention to our real-time updates of new PS5 stock on Twitter. That's where you'll find out about the date and time of the next Sony console drop if it gets announced ahead of time.
Happy ending to this PS5 story. Happy to play a part.❤️ https://t.co/WhtMOS2putFebruary 25, 2021
Through Twitter, we're tracking the next PS5 stock from more than 12 sources, and we've seen a few PS5 consoles pop up over the last week and, even better news, high success rates for people who have been looking for restock for months.
Even if you don't get to buy the console for Saturday, there may be a PS5 drop any one of the days in the upcoming week.
from TechRadar - All the latest technology news https://ift.tt/2ZWNVkL
The iPhone 12 Pro is undoubtedly the most powerful phone Apple has ever released, and on sheer digital muscle, it ranks at the top of benchmarks in our testing. But what does that mean for gaming? We chatted with a handful of devs about how their upcoming high-profile games will play on an iPhone 12 – and what you might miss out on if you don’t upgrade.
Broadly speaking, iPhones get better and better internals every year, with better specs powering better graphics. Playing the newest games on older phones means you’ll miss out on effects that add graphical polish, like advanced lighting, depth of field, and environmental touches like clouds or shadows. Gaming on new phones means a superior visual experience, and these days, mobile game graphics aren’t too far behind consoles.
When it comes to older and lower-spec phones, developers prioritize something other than graphical flourishes. To preserve playability, they strive for a consistent framerate, explains Ethan Young, development director of Realm of Champions, which launched in December 2020. A spinoff of Kabam’s previous hit one-on-one fighting mobile game Marvel Contest of Champions, the new Realm of Champions has players team up with two other gamers in 3-on-3 arena fights.
“We always prioritize a stable frame rate in order to level the playing field and keep our games running smoothly on all tiers of devices,” Young told TechRadar. “To accomplish this, we built a rendering system with scalable quality levels for our shaders, lighting, shadows, post-effects, and more. This system allows our games to look great on all supported devices, and really shine on the newest models.”
The game analyzes which device you’re using and uses a priority system to rank which effects are most important to show, Young explained. The scalable quality levels are driven by a device’s GPU, as well as frame rate data collected and monitored over time, and the game serves up the best graphics possible – even on an older iPhone.
“Devices are tuned in such a way that no matter how new or old they are, they will receive the best possible visuals while maintaining a stable frame rate,” Young assured.
(Image credit: Future)
iPhone 12 Pro vs. iPhone 6s in action: Marvel Realm of Champions
We put these claims into action, but given most of these games haven’t come out yet. Of the games in this article, we were only able to test Marvel Realm of Champions across multiple devices. We pitted an iPhone 12 Pro against an iPhone 6S and observed the differences – which weren’t as huge as you’d think.
Kabam’s claim about maintaining stable frame rates held up: while playing the game in identical conditions (home WiFi), it ran seamlessly on both the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 6S. Despite tons of effects going off at once, which didn’t seem to be more prevalent on the newer and more powerful iPhone, the game was responsive on both phones and didn’t suffer any slowdown – which is key in a real-time arena combat game.
(Image credit: Future)
The big difference lies in the graphics – and while the iPhone 6S is no slouch here, it does show lower-resolution character models and maps, which are especially clear in side-by-side images. You’ll notice in these end-of-match screens that the characters in the first image (of the 6S) is noticeably grainier, while the second (iPhone 12 Pro) are much smoother – and other effects, like depth of field blurring the background, are present.
(In the comparison photos below, remember that the iPhone 6S has chunky top and bottom bezels with a big home button, while the iPhone 12 Pro has an edge-to-edge display. All photo galleries show the iPhone 6S first, then the iPhone 12 Pro.)
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
This graphical divide extends throughout the game, with the iPhone 12 Pro having overall smoother character models, richer colors, and vivid environmental effects. Some of this is for obvious reasons (the 12 Pro’s newer A14 Bionic chipset vs. the 6S’s A9 chipset), but also due to differences between the new iPhone 12 Pro’s higher-resolution (2532 x 1170) 6.1-inch OLED display with HDR10 vs. the iPhone 6S’s lower-resolution (1334 x 750) 4.7-inch IPS LCD display.
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(Image credit: Future)
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(Image credit: Future)
Suffice to say that the additional screen real estate in the newer iPhone 12 Pro also makes it a bit easier to see what’s going on as your thumbs will be less in the way of the action, and thus a superior gaming experience. That extra screen area didn’t exactly mean we played better, of course, but it’s certainly more enjoyable to play.
(Image credit: Future)
How else did the iPhone 12 Pro’s better specs help? Noticeably lower load times: in a side by side comparison, the iPhone 6S took 2-3 seconds longer to load into matches. Again, you’d only catch this if you set up both phones at the starting line and have them launch into games at the same time, but for every normal person who won’t have these extreme ends of the current iPhone lineup handy to test, it’s nice to know what upgrading gets you.
Even on mobile, framerate is king - especially in League of Legends
It makes sense that developers would prioritize framerate for smooth gameplay, but it takes on even greater importance when player performance depends on it in competitive matches. And nothing is expected to be more competitive than the upcoming League of Legends: Wild Rift mobile game, which takes the popular mobile battle arena (MOBA) and shrinks it down to be playable on smartphones.
It does need to be playable on a range of iPhones, too – and most importantly, retain a consistent framerate, explains Riot Games’ Trent Campbell, Principal Technical Project Manager on Wild Rift. (Currently, the game is in open beta in several Southeast Asian and other countries, and is coming to the Americas in March. It's had open play on Android phones and limited tests on iOS devices.)
“On devices like the iPhone 6S (our minimum spec on iOS), our data shows a consistent framerate of near 30fps, and players have the option to change graphic quality settings to match their needs,” Campbell stated in an emailed reply to TechRadar’s questions. “We think the game still looks and feels great at the lowest graphics setting!”
Riot Games has experience making games run on low-specced devices: the joke goes that its mainstay title, League of Legends, could run on a toaster. Its wide compatibility with lower-performance computers has contributed to its popularity as arguably the leading esport around the world. Making it easier for the game’s mobile version, which is slowly rolling out in beta around the world (live in Southeast Asian countries, coming to the Americas in March), has been a priority, Campbell noted.
“We want to ensure players have a good experience playing Wild Rift on all supported devices, and we think it’s super important for Wild Rift to support a very wide range of them,” Campbell said. “For players using high-end devices like the iPhone 12, we want to wow them with incredible visuals and animations, but also ensure that the game is as accessible as it can be for those that don’t have access to high-end phones.”
Shortly after Wild Rift launched in beta, the team working on it posted expected minimum specs to play - including, yes, the iPhone 6S as the oldest iPhone capable of running the game. This shouldn’t be too surprising given that’s the threshold for devices that will run iOS 14, the latest version of the operating system.
Automatic graphics
Unlike Android phones that vary in hardware performance, iPhones have universally gotten more powerful with each generation, with the latest iPhone 12 lineup’s A14 Bionic chipsets outperforming any previous model. But the aging older models are still capable of running the newest games - though they’ll generally analyze and automatically set the graphics level according to the phone’s limits.
Even non-competitive games use this kind of auto-analysis – like the upcoming Crash Bandicoot: On The Run!, a Temple Run-style game built in the famous franchise’s world by King Games, best known for the Candy Crush mobile games.
“The way we do it is to automatically detect a quality level based on a database where we have relative performance differences between the devices,” Robert Woodburn, senior producer at King Games, told TechRadar over email. “With this data we can slot each device into a quality level slot: Ultra Low, Low, Medium and High. Knowing what quality level a device has makes it possible to tweak the graphics settings and change shaders.”
This database is key to setting graphical levels: should Apple release a less powerful iPhone, its specs will be compared with readings on the database and graphics set accordingly - hence why an older iPhone running Crash Bandicoot won’t have the same graphics as an iPhone 12 Pro running the upcoming game.
“The users on an iPhone 6 will not have the same graphical fidelity in terms of image resolution, shader quality, texture quality, lod distance,” Woodburn said. “The main goal has been to make the game playable at all supported phones while still enjoying a Crash experience.”
What this ultimately means is that the potential for mobile gaming may be restricted by requiring games to support the lowest spec, but that minimum is so low – reaching back six years to the iPhone 6S, in these cases – that it’s accessible to many more users. Around 90% of iPhone users have a 6S or newer, according to a DeviceAtlas survey circa December 2020, and all will be able to play some form of the games above – they just won’t be as easy on the eyes as playing on a new iPhone 12.
