Xiaomi Mi 5X India Launch Unlikely Next Week as Company Says 'New Series' Incoming

  

Xiaomi Mi 5X

HIGHLIGHTS

• Xiaomi was previously expected to launched the Mi 5X
• Xiaomi's latest teaser claims the launch will be a new series
• The company is maintaining its dual camera teasers

Xiaomi has been teasing the 'global launch' of a new smartphone next week, with an event being held in New Delhi on Tuesday, September 5. Past teasers have pointed to a 'flagship dual camera' smartphone, and the most recent such offering from the company was the Xiaomi Mi 5X, making it the prime candidate for launch. However, Xiaomi on Thursday shared a new teaser that appears to confirm the smartphone will be from a new series entirely, pointing to a brand new device. The teaser also reawakens speculation about the recently rumoured Mi 5X-inspired Android One smartphone from Xiaomi, carrying forward the dual rear camera.

As we mentioned, Xiaomi on Thursday shared a new teaser for its 'global launch' on Tuesday, and while it retains the 'flagship dual camera' hashtag, it now adds the line, "Introducing a new series by Xiaomi." This implies the new smartphone that's being launched will have a different nomenclature from Xiaomi's current crop of Mi or Redmi series of smartphones.

last week, a report by reliable Indonesian website Krispitech claimed Xiaomi was working with Google to develop an Android One smartphone that was called the Xiaomi A1 and was inspired by the Mi 5X dual camera smartphone. This all fits in very nicely with the teasers thus far. While the Krispitech report points to the Xiaomi A1 name for the rumoured Android One smartphone from the Chinese smartphone maker, a more recent report indicates the smartphone will be named the Xiaomi Mi A1 and will sport a full screen display. We'll have to wait and see. Fortunately for us, that wait won't be too long.

To recall, the Android One initiative by Google was meant to provide affordable, certified, stock Android smartphones to users in emerging markets coupled with the promises of smooth performance and quick updates. While the initiative has fizzled out in countries like India, with no major manufacturer having launched a new Android One smartphone in quite a while, companies like Japan's Sharp and Turkey's General Mobile have still been releasing such devices. It remains to be seen just how well the combination of Xiaomi's affordable but sturdy hardware and Google's smooth stock Android interface will capture the market. It will certainly obviate one of the biggest complaints with Xiaomi smartphones - the lack of frequent Android version updates.

Nokia 130 (2017) Now Available to Buy in India: Price, Specifications

  

HIGHLIGHTS

• Nokia 130 (2017) price in India is Rs. 1,599
• It is now available to buy via offline retail stores
• It was unveiled in India last month

Nokia 130 (2017), which was unveiled last month in India, is now available to buy in the country via offline retail stores. The feature phone has gone on sale in three colour variants - Red, Grey, and Black. HMD Global  is touting the inclusion of a 'try and buy' games bundle from Gameloft on the phone. The Nokia 130 (2017) price in India is Rs. 1,599 (best buy price), and it has been launched in its dual-SIM variant.

The Nokia 130 (2017) features entertainment and media-centric features like an in-built VGA camera and an MP3 player support. It also has rounded edges now with a polycarbonate shell for tough handling. It also features a LED torchlight. The Micro-USB port and the 3.5mm audio jack are situated at the top, while the camera and speaker grille sit at the back.

It also has a 1.8-inch QVGA coloured display, and the feature phone also runs on the Series 30+ software platform. The Nokia 130 (2017) packs a 4MB RAM, 8MB storage, and a microSD card slot allowing for expansion up to 32GB.

The new Nokia 130 supports Bluetooth connectivity and has a 1020mAh battery that is rated to offer up to 44 hours of FM radio music playback with a headset, 11.5 hours of video playback, or up to a month on standby from a single charge. The phone also comes pre-loaded with Snake Xenzia and five try-and-buy Gameloft games. The dimensions of this feature phone are 111.5x48.4x14.2mm.

The feature phone is preloaded with Snake Xenzia, and as we mentioned, it is bundled with five try and buy games from Gameloft – Ninja Up, Danger Dash, Nitro Racing, Air Strike, and Sky Gift.

"Phones are true companions, always by our side, in our pockets or bags. The Nokia 130 has been built to take the everyday knocks whilst offering entertainment as you go about your day," says Ajey Mehta,  Vice President- India, HMD Global. "High quality voice and call clarity is essential, and the Nokia 130 delivers that and so much more in a stylish and truly entertaining package."

Cabinet approves hiking cess on luxury cars, SUVs to 25 per cent from 15 per cent

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved raising a levy on luxury cars and sports utility vehicles to 25 per cent from 15 per cent, news agency Reuters quoted a government official with knowledge of the decision.

Under the Goods and Services tax regime, all cars attract a basic GST of 28 per cent. Large cars with engine capacity greater than 1,500 cc and SUVs with length more than 4 metres & engine greater than 1,500 cc attracted additional cess of 15 per cent, but now the cess has been increased by 10 per cent.

Several car makers had reduced prices in the range of Rs 1 lakh- Rs 3.5 lakh to pass on the benefit to customers after GST kicked in on July 1. But with government's decision to revise the structure, car makers may pull these benefits off.

Bajaj CT100 Electric Start launched at Rs 38,806

Bajaj has launched an updated version of its entry-level commuter motorcycle, the CT100. The bike, priced at Rs 38,806 (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) now gets an electric start along with new decals and a new fuel gauge.

The new CT100 Electric Start is a top-of-the-line variant and is priced at a premium of Rs 2000 from the non-electric start variant. The bike will sell alongside the kick-start versions of CT100 Alloy and CT100 B. The CT 100 Alloy retails for Rs 36,521 while the CT100 B is priced at Rs 32,068 (both prices ex-showroom, Mumbai). The bike sits on a double cradle frame which houses a 102cc single cylinder engine that delivers 7.6bhp and 8.24Nm of torque. With three colour options- black/silver and red decals, black/silver and blue decals and red, the bike is available in dealerships across the country.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 Launch Set for September 11, Just Ahead of Rumoured Launch of iPhone 8'

HIGHLIGHTS

• Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 launch set for September 11
• The bezel-less display smartphone launching in China
• It is said to be powered by Snapdragon 835 SoC

Xiaomi has just confirmed that the second-generation Mi MIX smartphone will be launched at an event on September 11. The Chinese company revealed the launch date in a Weibo post, and confirmed that the event will take place in Beijing. Xiaomi is yet to confirm a time for the launch though it has revealed the venue to be University of Technology Gymnasium in Beijing. Notably, the September 11 date is just a day ahead of the anticipated launch of the iPhone 8 on September 12.

Apart from sharing the launch date, Xiaomi clearly mentioned Mi MIX 2 branding, thus confirming the much-anticipated naming as well as an image that showed almost no bezels. Based on preliminary leaks, the upcoming Mi MIX 2 will sport an impressive 93 percent screen-to-body ratio which is even more than what we saw in its predecessor. To recall, the Mi MIX featured edge-to-edge display with 91.3 percent screen-to-body ratio.

There's no word on the pricing of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 though we can expect it to be slightly more than the original. The Mi MIX was launched at a starting price of CNY 3,499 (roughly Rs. 34,500) for the 4GB RAM and 128GB storage while the 6GB RAM and 256GB storage model was priced at CNY 3,999 (roughly Rs. 39,500).

Xiaomi's Mi MIX 2 is widely rumoured to be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC, much like all other premium-end phones. It is also said to pack 6GB of RAM and sport a 6.4-inch QHD (1440x2560 pixels) display. In the camera department, the phone is said to feature a 13-megapixel front camera while a 19-megapixel sensor is said to be present at the back. The leaks so far have claimed that Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 will come in several variants including 4GB RAM with 128GB storage, 6GB RAM with 128GB storage, and 8GB RAM with 256GB storage. It is being speculated that the 8GB RAM variant will be a limited edition. The smartphone is said to pack a 4500mAh battery. A previous report even claimed that the Mi MIX 2 may come with 3D facial recognition which could be a highlight feature of the handset.

Google Assistant Announced for Third-Party Smart Speakers, LG Appliances

HIGHLIGHTS

• Google made the announcement at IFA 2017
• More speakers and appliances can be expected later this year
• The move accelerates the spread of Google Assistant to the home

Google on Wednesday at the sidelines of the IFA 2017announced that its virtual assistant will no longer be exclusive to the company's Google Home smart speaker. Soon, the company said, Google Assistant will be arriving in new third-party speakers, starting with the Zolo Mojo by Anker, TicHome Mini by Mobvoi, and the GA10 by Panasonic. The company also announced a partnership with LG, letting consumers control appliances from the South Korean company using Assistant.
Over the course of this week, Google says more new speakers with Assistant will be announced. These new speakers are due to be launched later this year, with primary launch markets being Australia, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, and the US.

Abhi Taneja, Senior Director of Google Assistant, in a blog post explains that over the next few days at IFA 2017, several new products will be unveiled that "either have the Assistant built in (you can talk to them) or that work with the Assistant (you can control them with the Google Assistant)."

"With the Assistant on speakers, you can ask questions ('Ok Google, how far away is the moon?'), keep up with your schedule ('Ok Google, tell me about my day'), control your smart home ('Ok Google, dim the living room lights') and more. You can also expect your same Google Assistant to be, well, just about the same across speakers-so you can cast music and set multiple accounts to work on one speaker. That way your Assistant will be able to distinguish your voice from your room-mate or partner. And since it's the Google Assistant, you can expect great speech recognition, natural language processing and the ability to ask those 'tough' contextual questions ('Where is the Eiffel Tower?' Followed by, 'How tall is it?')"

 As for appliances, Google says that starting later this year, manufacturers like LG will launch home appliances that can be monitored, queried, and controlled by Google Assistant on smart speakers, Android, and iOS devices. The company added that Google Assistant already supports over 70 home automation manufacturers, including products from Honeywell, Netatmo, TP-Link, and Wemo. It's apparent the company wishes Google Assistant would spread further into homes, with the move to bring Assistant compatibility to conventional home appliances

LG separately announced on Wednesday that all its 2017 Wi-Fi-enabled smart home appliances now support Google Assistant, and alongside the previously introduced support for Amazon's Alexa voice assistant. LG also utilises its own intelligent voice platform, Deep ThinQ."The development of voice recognition technology plays an crucial role in advancing our own IoT and smart technologies," said Song Dae-hyun, president of LG's Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. "By adhering to LG's Open Platform philosophy, we're able to deliver a diverse range of benefits and services for our customers that is unrivaled in the industry. By strengthening our relationships with Google, Amazon and other players in this space, we're making amazing headway in the Fourth Industrial Revolution."

Jio Phone Bookings: How to Check Jio Phone Booking Status Online and Offline

  

HIGHLIGHTS

• Jio Phone booking status can be checked via MyJio app
• You can check status offline by calling 18008908900
• Bookings for Jio Phone are closed at the moment

The Jio Phone booking process was suspended roughly a day and a half after it started on August 24, likely leaving a lot of prospective buyers out in the cold. Of course, they will have the opportunity to book Jio Phone when the process starts again, though the company has not yet confirmed when it will open next. For those who were able to book the handset on August 24 and 25, there is still no clarity on when they will receive it, except that it will be delivered in September. Fortunately, the company has provided customers with two options to check their Jio Phone booking status, to help them find out when they will get the delivery.

How to check Jio Phone booking status offline

Once you have booked Jio Phone, you would have received a SMS from the company with a transaction ID, and the number of vouchers (units) registered against your phone number. Below that will be a phone number, 18008908900. If you want to check your booking status or delivery date, just call the number from the same number on which you received the SMS, and follow the IVR instructions.

For now, the IVR just says “You will soon receive an SMS with details of your voucher,” followed by an SMS that does not mention the delivery date, and only has “Null” against the store details. More details will likely be available closer to the release date.

How to check Jio Phone booking status online

To check your Jio Phone booking status online, you need to open the MyJio app and tap on the Manage Booking option. After providing your registered phone number and OTP, you will see the My Vouchers page on the screen. At the moment the Status field is blank, but once deliveries commence, it should show the delivery date, and store from which the phone can be picked up.

You can also transfer the Jio Phone booking using the MyJio app via the Transfer option in the Manage Booking section.If you were unable to book the first Jio-branded feature phone, you can get notifications for its availability from the company by signing up for alerts on the official website. Just provide your name, email ID, phone number and pincode if you are an individual consumer, and company’s name, pincode, GSTN/ PAN, as well as contact person’s email ID and number, along with the number of units required, if you are representing a business. Once you register your interest, you will receive an SMS from the company saying, “We’ll inform you when pre-booking resumes.”

Verizon starts pushing Android 8.0 Oreo update to the Pixel and Pixel XL

Verizon announced a new major Android update is now available for Pixel and Pixel XLsmartphones. The carrier-branded handsets are now receiving the update that's been released by Google last week, which is quite surprising.

Usually, carrier-bound smartphones get updates much later than unlocked models. If you've purchased the Pixel or Pixel XL via Verizon, you can now download the new Android 8.0 Oreo update.

The update brings new PIP (Picture-in-Picture) mode, which allows you to use other apps while still watching a video on YouTube. Notifications visuals have been made clearer and new notification badges are now available for Android Oreo users.

You'll also get Always-on display updates, as well as Autofill, a new feature that enables signing in to apps quicker and simpler than ever before. The update is delivered OTA (over the air), so you might want to connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network, or makes sure that it has a solid Verizon Wireless network connection. 

Also, you can find in-depth details about everything that the new OS update brings by reading our full Android 8.0 Oreo review.

A water-resistant BlackBerry phone is coming this October to lure iPhone and Galaxy users away

Not long after hearing that two new BlackBerry smartphones were in the making, we can now confirm that at least one of them is coming soon. 

Engadget has it that an all-touch, keyboard-less BlackBerry handset will be released sometime in October. This will be a dust- and water-resistant device (IP67-certified), in a first for a BlackBerryphone. The news comes from François Mahieu, Global General Manager at TCL - the company that's now manufacturing BlackBerry-branded phones (in collaboration with BlackBerry itself, which takes care of the software side).

The idea behind this new BlackBerry handset, which will run Android, is to allow users to benefit of its features in all weather conditions. 

While you won't be able to take the phone for a dive, thanks to its IP67 certification, you'll certainly have no problems using it under rain, or while at the pool. Apparently, the device will pack a generous battery, too - with "mixed use", this should last at least 26 hours. If that's true, we're likely talking about 2 days of normal usage on a single charge. 

Interestingly, François Mahieu says that TCL expects some iPhone and Samsung Galaxy users to switch to the new BlackBerry once this becomes available, thanks to its "durability and longevity." Well, we'll be waiting to see if that's the case.

For now, there are no other details about this upcoming BlackBerry smartphone, but it's pretty clear that it's going to be different from the KeyOne - released earlier this year with a hardware QWERTY keyboard in tow. To some degree, the new device could resemble the BlackBerry DTEK 60 (the last all-touch BlackBerry phone, available since 2016 and pictured above).

We don't know if this water-resistant handset is the recently mentioned BlackBerry BBD100-1. If it is, it could be a mid-range-ish device with features including a Snapdragon 626 processor, a 1080p screen, and 4 GB of RAM.

TCL and BlackBerry might want to share new information about their water-resistant phone at IFA 2017 (September 1 - September 6). Stay tuned!

Paytm Mall App Launched for Android and iOS, Ahead of 'Festive Season'

HIGHLIGHTS

• Paytm Mall has launched a new app for customers
• It features over 65 million branded products
• The app is available on Android and iOS platform

Paytm Mall has launched its own apps on Android and iOS platforms. The company says the move was in time for "this year's festive season". The new Paytm Mall will work hand in hand with the original Paytm app featuring over 1,000 brand stores and 15,000 brand-authorised retailers selling with 65 million products. Buyers can browse for their preferred products on the Paytm Mall app and the deliveries will be made by the local authorised brand partner to their doorsteps.

The Paytm Mall consists of a plethora of brands including electronic item ones such as Apple, Samsung, LG, Oppo, Sony, HP, Lenovo, JBL, Philips; and clothing lineup brands such as Puma, Allen Solly, Lee, Pepe, Levi's, Vero Moda, Van Heusen, Woodland, Catwalk, Sketchers, Red Tape, Crocs, and Fossil among others. The customers can also search the nearby location of the brand-authorised retailers and shopkeepers that can deliver the items as fast depending upon the proximity of the destination.

In line with the wide rollout of Goods and Services Tax in India, Paytm Mall lets customers and businesses enter their GSTIN number while placing an order, and receive the required details on their respective invoices, which can be used to claim respective tax credits later. This will also ease the demand of high quality of branded products in small cities where the brand outlets are in scarce and slowly eliminate the dominance of fake and duplicate products. Paytm claims that it has the capacity to serve up to 19,000 PIN codes, assuring the product's safety, warranty, installation, and servicing.

Commenting on the launch of Paytm Mall mobile app, Amit Sinha, COO of Paytm Mall said, "Indian consumers can now shop for genuine products from a mall bigger and better than any other. Our mission is to build the trusted shopping platform where consumers can buy genuine products and get them delivered from their neighbourhood brand authorized local retailer. There are two broad business models for ecommerce: One is to become the technology partner of every retailer and second is to be a large retailer yourself. Our approach supports the first business model. We believe working with a million retailers is a much bigger purpose than creating one single, large online retailer. We invite shopkeepers and brands looking to build technology-integrated businesses to partner with us. We are on a mission to create India's largest trusted retail ecosystem."

Xiaomi Redmi 4A 3GB RAM, 32GB Storage Variant Launched in India: Price, Specifications

HIGHLIGHTS

• New variant will be made available for purchase from August 31
• Redmi 4a original variant came with 2GB of RAM
• The handset was launched in March in India

Xiaomi on Tuesday launched a new variant of its Redmi 4Asmartphone in India, with additional RAM and storage compared to the original handset. The Redmi 4A variant with 3GB RAM and 32GB built-in storage will be made available at a price of Rs. 6,999 by the company from Mi.com, Flipkart, Amazon India, Paytm, and Tata CliQ starting Thursday.

Manu Kumar Jain, vice president at Xiaomi and managing director at Xiaomi India, said in a tweet on Monday, "Surprise! We are launching a new variant of Redmi 4A (3GB RAM + 32 GB flash memory) at an amazing price of Rs. 6,999."

To recall, the Xiaomi Redmi 4A was launched in India in March at Rs. 5,999, following its launch in China in November, in a 2GB RAM and 16GB storage variant. Featuring a polycarbonate body, the Redmi 4A bears a hybrid dual-SIM card slot, and runs MIUI 8 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The smartphone features a 5-inch HD (720x1280 pixels) display, and is powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 425 SoC coupled with the Adreno 308 GPU.

It sports a 13-megapixel sensor with PDAF, a 5-lens system, an f/2.2 aperture, and is backed by a LED flash. There is a 5-megapixel sensor with an f/2.2 aperture on board as well. The Redmi 4A's inbuilt storage is expandable via microSD card (up to 128GB).

The Redmi 4A's connectivity options include 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, GPS/ A-GPS, and Bluetooth v4.1. Sensors on board the smartphone include accelerometer, ambient light, gyroscope, infrared, and proximity. Dimensions of the new Xiaomi smartphone are 139.5x70.4x8.5mm, and it weighs in at 131.5 grams. Redmi 4A is powered by a 3120mAh battery with fast charging support.

Vodafone's New Rs. 392 Pack Offers Up to 28GB of Data, Unlimited Calls

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Rs. 392 pack offers 1GB 4G data and unlimited calls
• A new roaming Rs. 198 pack gives unlimited roaming Vodafone calls
• It also offers 2GB 3G/4G data to roaming customers

Vodafone India on Tuesday unveiled a new data and voice combo pack for prepaid subscribers in Delhi-NCR, the operator's latest move to combat the Reliance Jio threat. The new Rs. 392 recharge pack offers up to 1GB 3G/ 4G data per day with unlimited local, STD , and roaming calls for a period of 28 days. Alongside, the telco has also launched a new 'Home & Roam' monthly pack costing Rs. 198 for the roaming customers.

Marking the ongoing festive season, Vodafone's new Rs. 392 data and voice combo pack is a revised version of the Rs. 349 pack that the company has been so far running in Delhi-NCR, apart from other major regions of the country. The benefits given under the Rs. 392 pack are exactly identical to the previous one. As we said, there is also a new Home & Roam roaming pack that will give unlimited calling on Vodafone network, in addition to 2GB 3G/ 4G data for 28 days.

This new pack Vodafone says has been designed keeping in mind the customers who visit their hometowns largely in the states of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Punjab during the festivities. Speaking on the launch of this new festival oriented pack, Alok Verma, Business Head of Delhi-NCR, Vodafone India said, "A large part of Vodafone's prepaid subscribers from Delhi & NCR go on roaming during the festive season. We found an existing need for these subscribers to have a pocket friendly pack that enables them to stay connected with their world even while they are travelling or out of station." He further said, "Vodafone Delhi has designed the pack precisely to bridge that need. So before proceeding on your holiday, remember to get a recharge Pack of Rs. 392 or Rs. 198 to enjoy long, worry free conversations and Internet browsing regardless of location."

Six Simple Ways to Secure Your Home Wi-Fi

HIGHLIGHTS

• If you're using Wi-Fi at home, securing it is essential
• Choose a strong password for your Wi-Fi connection
• Turn off the router when it is not in use

In a country with a population of over a billion, just about a quarter have a personal Internet connection. And of this small percentage, only a very tiny handful are actually taking action to secure their Internet connection. These days, if you’re using a broadband Internet connection then it’s almost certain that you have a Wi-Fi access point set up in your house. Securing this connection is very simple, and not doing so is just inviting trouble.

With data caps, you could risk freeloaders who use your network without your knowledge, leading to you spending more money, unnecessarily. If someone uses your connection for an illegal activity, it could be traced back to your Wi-Fi network, which could lead to problems too. Merely purchasing the best high-speed Internet connection is not enough - it’s unquestionably important to ensure that your Internet connection is secure, and here are some easy ways to accomplish this.

1. Change the password of your router
With the most basic technical skills, any rookie can hack into your router’s admin panel. In order to protect your Wi-Fi from freeloaders enjoying your Internet without your permission, you need to start by securing your router’s firmware. Even before you actually connect your router to the Internet, make sure you login into your router’s admin panel and change the default username password.

Most users can access the admin panel by typing http://192.168.1.1 in the address bar of their browser. This is router's default IP address, if it doesn’t work, it might be 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.2.1 based on the manufacturer of your router. The default username and password should be listed in your router's documentation, on a sticker on the side of your router. Many IoT devices get hacked due to use of default passwords.

2. Secure Wi-Fi by a strong password
While this may sound obvious, even today many people do not realise that any password which is easy to guess (like your name, mobile number, or date of birth) is the reason why neighbours are commonly the first one’s piggybacking on your Wi-Fi without your knowledge. Even though we are more reliant on the Internet than ever, ‘123456’ remains the most common password. If you have to to share your Wi-Fi password with friends or acquaintances, make sure you change your password afterwards. Periodically changing your password might sound like a task because you will need to login again from all of your devices, but the biggest advantage it serves is that every time you reset it, you reset the number of people who can connect to your network back to one - only you.

3. Upgrade your router’s firmware
Firmware is the software that is embedded into your router and controls how your device behaves. If you’re facing any issues with your wireless signal, updating your router’s firmware may just resolve your issues and offer stable connectivity. Periodically check for any available upgrades in your router’s firmware and enjoy latest security patches, safety updates, performance enhancements, and improved network connectivity.

4. Disable UPnP
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a potential security threat because it bypasses firewall on your network, assumes certain programs to be trustworthy, and allows them. Basically, as its name suggests, it allows users to simply plug in a device and immediately start using it without configuring it. For instance, a network printer can be accessed by any device on the network without having to install the printer in the device. It is not advisable to have UPnP enabled unless you regularly use P2P apps, gaming servers, or VoIP programs. In order to find how to disable UPnP, simply run a Google search with the name of your router manufacturer and disable UPnP. For example, disable UPnP in D-Link router, and you’ll get the specific instructions.

2. Secure Wi-Fi by a strong password
While this may sound obvious, even today many people do not realise that any password which is easy to guess (like your name, mobile number, or date of birth) is the reason why neighbours are commonly the first one’s piggybacking on your Wi-Fi without your knowledge. Even though we are more reliant on the Internet than ever, ‘123456’ remains the most common password. If you have to to share your Wi-Fi password with friends or acquaintances, make sure you change your password afterwards. Periodically changing your password might sound like a task because you will need to login again from all of your devices, but the biggest advantage it serves is that every time you reset it, you reset the number of people who can connect to your network back to one - only you.

3. Upgrade your router’s firmware
Firmware is the software that is embedded into your router and controls how your device behaves. If you’re facing any issues with your wireless signal, updating your router’s firmware may just resolve your issues and offer stable connectivity. Periodically check for any available upgrades in your router’s firmware and enjoy latest security patches, safety updates, performance enhancements, and improved network connectivity.

4. Disable UPnP
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is a potential security threat because it bypasses firewall on your network, assumes certain programs to be trustworthy, and allows them. Basically, as its name suggests, it allows users to simply plug in a device and immediately start using it without configuring it. For instance, a network printer can be accessed by any device on the network without having to install the printer in the device. It is not advisable to have UPnP enabled unless you regularly use P2P apps, gaming servers, or VoIP programs. In order to find how to disable UPnP, simply run a Google search with the name of your router manufacturer and disable UPnP. For example, disable UPnP in D-Link router, and you’ll get the specific instructions.

5. Do not enable port forwarding
Generally, in any router port forwarding is turned off by default. The router uses it to route network requests via IP to specific devices on the network also bypassing the network firewall. Unless you have an absolute need for it, like if you are using CCTV camera, you should keep port forwarding disabled. Because after you connect to the Internet, by default your external IP address is shared in the public domain. In case, port forwarding is enabled then the same connection can be hacked by anyone. You can disable port forwarding from the admin panel of your router.

6. Disable WPS in router
Wi-Fi protected set-up or WPS works similarly to UPnP and is likely to be enabled by default. It was devised to be used as a secure and faster way to connect a router to wireless devices. However, in recent few years, loopholes have been discovered. Thus, it was found that it made users susceptible to hacking especially those on personal Wi-Fi. Ever since it has been repeatedly advised to simply turn off the WPS from your router’s admin panel.

The crux of the matter is, that irrespective of whether or not you have successfully configured multiple devices on your wireless network, you are not safe. It is high time, you prioritise and address the security concerns of your home Wi-Fi. Make sure your network is secure, keep a tab on unwelcome internet users and look out for any suspicious behaviour on your network. Last but not the least, turn off the Wi-Fi router when not in use.

The above ways might not guarantee a fool proof way to secure your network, but these steps will certainly minimise risks. As far as security flaws are concerned, these six methods are the simplest ways to ensure security of your personal data in the long-run.

Android 8.0 Oreo Update Schedules for Google Pixel, Nokia, OnePlus, Lenovo, Asus, Micromax Phones, and More

HIGHLIGHTS

• Android 8.0 Oreo is now available for Pixel and Nexus smartphones
• Some OnePlus, Asus, Lenovo, HTC phones have been confirmed to get it
• Major brands like Samsung and Sony are yet to announce their plans

Android 8.0 Oreo is the official name of the eighth major version of Google's mobile operating system.The OS will soon be headed to several smartphones currently running on Android Nougat, and who knows, maybe some will even jump straight to Android 8.0 Oreo from Android Marshmallow. But for now, the number of devices running Android 8.0 is minuscule, as only Google-backed devices are presently the only ones that have received the update. But worry not, several phones had been confirmed to be receiving the new software version when they were launched, long before Oreo was announced as the official name. There are a few brands that are known for sticking to a rigorous software schedule, even if they remain tightlipped about the Android 8.0 rollout plans for now. And some companies announced their plans soon after Oreo became official. So, if you are wondering if your smartphone will be upgraded to Android 8.0 Oreo, check the list below.

  Android Oreo: 8 New Features You Need to Definitely Check Out

Android 8.0 Oreo update for Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, Nexus 5X, 6P, Nexus Player

Android O updates for Google Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones, along with the Pixel C tablet from 2015 are available now. The latest version of Google’s mobile software will be rolled out as OTA update in a phased manner. Same is the case for the supported Nexus devices, namely Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, and Nexus Player. If waiting for OTA is not your style, you can download the Android 8.0 Oreo image files, though you will lose all the data in the process.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for Lenovo K8 Note

The new Lenovo K8 Note is also scheduled to get the Android Oreo update, along with other K-series smartphones launched in 2017. However, there is no timeline for the K8 Note Android 8.0 rollout yet, as these will depend on chip manufacturer support, internal development and testing requirements, according to Anuj Sharma, Head of Product Marketing – Smartphones, Lenovo India.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for Asus ZenFone 3 and ZenFone 4 smartphones

When launching the ZenFone 4 and ZenFone 4 Pro, Asus announced it will release Android Oreo updatefor the smartphones in this year’s ZenFone 4 series as well as last year’s ZenFone 3 series. However, fans might have to wait to rather long for the update as the supported devices will get Android 8.0 by the second half of 2018.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for Micromax Canvas Infinity

At the launch of the new Micromax Canvas Infinity with 5.7-inch 18:9 FullVision display, the company announced it will provide the Android 8.0 Oreo update for the handset, but again, there is no timeline for it yet.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for HTC U11, U Ultra, 10

HTC has also joined the list of brands promising the Android 8.0 update for its smartphones, with the flagship HTC U11, along with HTC 10 and U Ultra first in line to get a taste of Oreo. Details of the rollout plans will “announced soon” by the Taiwanese brand, which will also release names of more devices getting the update.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for Moto and Nokia phones

Moto and Nokia are the two companies right now that offer the pure Android experience and promise swift updates to the latest version of the mobile OS. While all four Nokia Android phones will be getting Android 8.0, we can expect Moto’s 2017 range of smartphones to receive it as well. As for Moto phones from 2016, the likes of Moto G4 series to get the update as it still falls under the 18-month timeframe.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for OnePlus 5, 3T, and 3

The new OnePlus flagship, OnePlus 5 is confirmed to get Android Oreo, as are last year’s OnePlus 3 and 3T. However, it will be the last update for the 2016 OnePlus phones, as they will not be updated to Android P when it launches in 2019, the company has said.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for Essential Phone

The Essential Phone, unveiled in June by the ‘Father of Android’ Andy Rubin, will get software support for three years – that’s two years of Android OS updates and three years of monthly security updates. So it goes without saying Android 8.0 Oreo for Essential Phone is a definite go, along with the next major version.

Android 8.0 Oreo update for Coolpad Cool Play 6

While launching its flagship Cool Play 6 smartphone, Chinese brand Coolpad announced that the phone will be getting Android Oreo update by the end of the year. The smartphone will go on sale in India on September 4 via Amazon India, and run on Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box.

The list doesn’t include some of the major brands – Samsung chief among them – but we expect more brands to come forward with their Android 8.0 Oreo update schedules in the coming weeks. Google in its blog announcing the new flavour of Android mentioned “Essential, General Mobile, HMD Global Home of Nokia Phones, Huawei, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sharp and Sony are scheduled to launch or upgrade devices to Android 8.0 Oreo.” We will update this list as and when these or other brands announce their release plans.