Get amazing savings on JBL, Samsung and Sony speakers

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

We have come across a great selection of speakers for every occasion and budget. First off, we head over to Woot, where JBL speakers are getting crazy discounts. The JBL Boombox 2 portable Bluetooth Waterproof Speaker sells for $420, down from its regular $500 price tag, which means you can save $80 on one. If you’re still interested in a waterproof speaker, but for a lower price tag, you can choose the JBL Charge 4 that’s now selling for $115 with $65 savings, and if you want to save even more, you can grab the JBL Flip 5 for $85, which translates to $35 savings.

    JBL Boombox 2

    JBL Charge 4

    JBL Flip 5

 

Next up, we find larger speakers for bigger parties. JBL kicks off this selection with the JBL Partybox 310 Portable Party Speaker, which can now be yours for $430. This beast comes with 240 watts of powerful JBL Pro sound and a long-lasting battery that will keep you jamming for up to 18 hours. It may not be waterproof entirely, but at least it will be safe against splashes, so you can still use this speaker to throw your pool party. Plus, it comes with karaoke features that can be controlled from your phone with the Partybox app. Oh, and it will also give you $70 savings.

We then go to Amazon.com, where the SAMSUNG Sound Tower MX-T70 with 1500 Watt power is getting a $152 discount, which leaves it up for grabs at $548. The Tower comes with bi-directional speakers and a built-in subwoofer, so you can expect amazing sound. It also features LED party lights that flow with the rhythm of your tunes, and it also comes with remote control. Finally, the Sony XB72 High Power Home Audio System comes as the most affordable option. It now sells for $248 after receiving a $101.99 discount, and it comes with speaker lights and a flashing strobe, and 30 Watts of power, so it may not be as powerful or expensive as the previous options, but it will also help to get your groove on.

And before we forget, you may also want to improve your audio experience when watching your favorite movies and shows, and the JBL Bar 5.1 may be a great choice since its getting a $130 discount, which leaves it up for grabs at just $370 down from its regular $500 price tag.

    JBL Partybox 310 Portable Party Speaker

    SAMSUNG Sound Tower MX-T70

    Sony XB72 High Power Home Audio System

 

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Twitter now lets more users host Spaces. Here’s a step-by-step guide to create one!

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar
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Earlier this month, Twitter finally brought its audio chatroom feature called Spaces over to the Android ecosystem. But so far, the ability to create a chatroom and host a conversation has been limited to a small number of users. Well, that privilege is finally expanding to more users on both Android and iOS. The official Spaces handle on Twitter has announced that the company is adding more users to the test circle who can host a Spaces group chat. I got lucky too.

If you’re among the users in the test circle, you can follow these steps to create a Spaces audio chatroom session:

spaces twitter pocketnow 1

1. Tap on the round compose button (‘+’ icon) in the bottom right corner on the app’s homepage.
2. Select the Spaces option that appears at the top.
3. Choose a cool name for your audio chatroom and hit the pill-shaped ‘Start your space’ button.

spaces twitter pocketnow 2

4. On the next screen, you can also add a description to explain what the session is all about.
5. At the bottom, you’ll find dedicated buttons for controlling the mic, an emoji reaction button, menu button for more controls, share, and a members button that allows you to see all the participants. The latter opens a window where you can see pending requests, the list of speakers, and those who are listeners. 

spaces twitter pocketnow 3

6. You can tap the share button to invite more people to the session via a DM, or just copy and share it via a link.
7. You can also minimize the Spaces window by tapping the down arrow button. Doing so will reduce it to a horizontal bar at the bottom with just two buttons – mic control and End. In the minimized view, you can continue browsing your Twitter timeline. 

spaces twitter pocketnow 4

8. Additionally, if you lock your device, the session will keep going in the background, and you’ll see a dedicated widget for it on the lock screen.
9. And in case you switch to using another app, you can access the same two controls by pulling down the notifications shade. 

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iPhone 13 Pro Max will stand out with its upgraded wide angle camera: Kuo

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

We’ve lately been hearing a lot of rumors regarding the camera upgrades that the iPhone 13 family will allegedly bring to the table. As per a new research note by TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo (via AppleInsider), Apple is going to equip the iPhone 13 Pro Max with an F/1.5 wide-angle camera. For comparison, the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max have a wide-angle camera with an F/1.6 aperture. So, what’s the benefit of an F/1.5 aperture for the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s wide-angle camera?

A larger aperture will likely yield better low-light performance

Well, to put it briefly, a larger aperture will allow more light in, which directly means improved results in low-light scenarios. A larger aperture also helps with clicking better portrait shots as it allows one to achieve a better bokeh effect in photos. However, it remains to be seen how much of a difference an F/1.5 wide-angle camera on the iPhone 13 Pro Max creates when compared against the F/1.6 snapper on its predecessor.

 

 

As for the rest of the iPhone 13 family, it will reportedly come equipped with an F/1.6 wide-angle camera. It appears that Apple again wants to give the pricier ‘Max’ model an edge over its sibling to justify the price premium. Last year, Apple armed the iPhone 12 Pro Max with the more efficient Sensor-Shift image stabilization technology, while the rest of the iPhone 12 series phones went with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS). As per a DigiTimes report, Apple is going to bring the new stabilization tech to the entire iPhone 13 series this year.

iPhone 13 Pro Max will have an edge in camera department to justify the price premium

Kuo also adds the entire iPhone 13 series will rely on a 7P lens assembly for the wide-angle camera. Previous leaks suggest that the iPhone 13 Pro and its Max version will come equipped with a 120Hz LTPO OLED panel supplied by Samsung, and the notch is getting smaller as well. Additionally, we might get a matte black finish on the iPhone 13 Pro pair this year, and a 1TB storage option to hurt your wallet might also be on the table.

View iPhone 12 Pro at Best Buy
 View iPhone 12 Pro Max at Best Buy

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Moto RAZR 5G is $400 off, Sony phones and more devices are on sale

Posted on by Samuel Martinez

We start today’s deals with the 5G enabled Moto RAZR 5G that’s currently getting a massive $400 discount. This means that you can enter the foldable phone segment for just $1,000. You will get a US unlocked variant with 8GB RAM, 256GB of storage space, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G with an Adreno 620 GPU.

Suppose you’re not a fan of the idea of having a foldable device, and you’d rather go for a more conservative design. In that case, you can also get a new Moto Edge, which is currently getting a $308/57 discount, meaning that you can grab a new unlocked device for $391.52. This device comes packed with 6GB RAM and 256GB of storage space, plus an awesome 64MP primary sensor leading its quad-camera setup. You can also get a new Moto G Fast if you’re looking for a more affordable option. This device currently gets a $50 discount, which leaves the unlocked phone with 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage space for $150.

    Motorola Razr 5G

    Motorola Edge

    Moto G Fast

 

Now, if you’re a Sony fan, you can get the latest Sony Xperia 1 II with a $151.99 discount. It arrives with 6.5-inch 4K display, 8GB RAM, and 256GB of storage space, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor. The previous version of this device is also on sale, as you can get a brand-new Sony Xperia 1 for $788 with $161.99 savings. You will get a new device with a 6.5-inch 4K display, 6GB RAM, 128GB of storage, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor under the hood.

And if you’re on the market for the latest Sony Xperia 5 II, you can get one for $898 after receiving a $51.99 discount. This device is equipped with a 6.1-inch display, 128GB storage, and 8GB RAM. Unfortunately, we don’t get 5G support, but at least you will receive a triple camera array with ZEISS optics and Real-time Eye Auto Focus.

    Xperia 1 II

    Xperia 1

    Sony Xperia 5 II

And if you’re looking for a new smartwatch, you can get your hands on a new Fossil Men’s Gen 5E 44mm Stainless Steel Touchscreen Smartwatch for $179 after a $70 discount. It features a built-in speaker, heart rate monitor, and NFC for contactless payments. Or get the Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle Stainless Steel Touchscreen Smartwatch, which comes with the same features as the Gen 5E, but it will cost you $177 after a $118 discount.

    Fossil Men’s Gen 5E 44mm

    Fossil Gen 5 Carlyle

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Instagram clones another viral TikTok feature for Reels, which itself is a copycat

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar
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Irrespective of whether you’re a TikTok stan or an Instagram fan from its early days, there is something that users of both platforms can agree upon – Instagram has been ripping off TikTok and its popular features for a while now. Instagram recently mimicked TikTok’s short-form video format and created Reels. And now, Instagram is copying the Duet feature from TikTok and is adding it to Reels under a different name. Instagram is calling this ‘new’ feature Remix.

Say hello to Remix

If you’re unfamiliar, Duet allows users to react to another video by posting their own video side-by-side. Instagram is replicating the same formula with Remix for Reels. “Now you can use the Remix feature in Reels to create your own reel next to one that already exists,” says the Facebook-owned company.

In order to create a Remix, open on a Reels video, tap on the menu (three-dot icon in the top-right corner) and then select Remix This Reel option from the window that pops up. Now, you’ll see a vertical side-by-side layout of the original Reel and your own view on the right to record your reaction. You can add background audio, use creative effects and alter the playback speed among other things while creating a Remix.

Rules for Remixing a Reel are Really Weird

Users can Remix their own Reels, but they can’t remix a remixed Reel.

However, a creator has to allow remixing their Reels for others to create a Remix of it. Users can Remix their own Reels, but they can’t do the same with a video that is already a Remix. In case someone creates a Remix of your Reel, Instagram will notify you about the same. Moreover, Remixes of your Reels will get deleted if you set your account to Private type for more than 24 hours.

A weird caveat is that if someone has created a Remix of your Reel, they can download the video. However, you can’t download that Remix video. Also, if you disable remixing of your Reels, all remixes created before you changed the settings will continue to exist on Instagram, unless you delete your original Reel. You can check out the detailed instruction on how you can enable or disable remixing of your Reels on the official support page.

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OnePlus reveals why its first smartwatch doesn’t run Wear OS, and it’s no surprise

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

OnePlus launched its first smartwatch – christened the OnePlus Watch – earlier this month. The device comes with some impressive features such as Sapphire Glass protection, up to 14 days of battery life, fast charging, and support for over 110 workout types. However, the most notable aspect – or omission – would be the OS driving it. Instead of going with the more feature-rich and versatile Wear OS by Google, OnePlus opted for an RTOS-based software experience. And now, the company has revealed the key reason behind its choice – battery life. Here’s what a OnePlus Product Manager wrote in an official forum post:

“Another thing I’ve noticed in your comments is questions about why we chose to use the RTOS system instead of Wear OS. When making a decision like this, we always have to weigh the benefits with the challenges to come up with what we think will result in the best user experience. We found that both operating systems had a lot of great things to offer, but some drawbacks as well. So after weighing all of our options, we ended up choosing RTOS primarily because of the ability to better offer our users a longer battery life.”
oneplus watch
OnePlus Watch in Midnight Black color

However, there were a few other reasons behind ditching Wear OS for the OnePlus Watch. The company notes that going with a custom RTOS software experience also allowed it to import what it calls ‘high frame rate display debugging experience.’ The latter allowed the company to raise the display refresh rate from the normal 30Hz to 50Hz, offering a smoother experience. OnePlus has gone all-in on the smooth experience fad for while now and has equipped almost all og its recent phones with a high-refresh-rate (90Hz or 120Hz) panel.

Battery life woes of Wear OS smartwatches are a common knowledge

So, it is no surprise to see that the company was striving for the same with its first smartwatch. Interestingly, WearOS was also the reason that OnePlus shelved its smartwatch ambitions years ago because it couldn’t offer the experience and efficiency that the company was after.

The OnePlus Watch is priced at $159 and offers an IP68-certified build with 5ATM rating. It features a round 1.39-inch AMOLED display with 454×454 pixel resolution, which translates to a pixel density of 326PPI. It comes armed with a 402mAh battery that lasts up to 14 days with typical usage, and 5 days when sleep and blood oxygen saturation measurement is enabled. There are two color options up for grabs – Midnight Silver and Midnight Black – with a third Cobalt Limited Edition also on the table.

View OnePlus 9 at Best Buy
 View OnePlus 9 Pro at Best Buy

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Apple’s Mixed Reality headset might be unveiled much sooner than expected

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

In the past few weeks, we’ve seen some important details surrounding Apple’s upcoming Mixed Reality headset trickle online, with leaks predicting an 8K panel, advanced eye-tracking technology, and a lot more. So far, the rumor mill has been pointing towards a 2022 debut of the wearable device (or even further), but it appears that the highly-anticipated Apple device might arrive much sooner than expected. As per the ever-reliable Mark Gurman from Bloomberg, Apple might announce its Mixed Reality headset in the next few months.

“Sometime in the next several months, the company is poised to announce a mixed reality headset, its first major new device since 2015. If possible, Apple won’t want to make such a critical announcement at an online event. It wants employees, the media, its partners and developers in the room.”
Apple Mixed Reality headset
Concept render of Apple’s upcoming MR headset (Image: Antonio De Rosa)

Now, WWDC 2021 is just over two months away, and it is quite likely that Apple might introduce its VR ambitions to the world at the developers conference, which is where new builds of iOS, macOS, iPadOS, and watchOS will be revealed. And after that, Apple might actually reveal the actual Mixed Reality headset at another event in the subsequent months, or possibly on the same stage as its next iPhone launch.

Apple's upcoming MR headset will reportedly be targeted at enterprise customers

It is also likely that Apple might only unveil its Mixed Reality headset in the coming months, and will give developers some time to prepare for the platform before the device actually goes on sale. This strategy would follow in the footsteps of Apple announcing a shift away from Intel and switch to in-house silicon months ahead of the first Macs that came equipped with the M1 chip.

Apple Mixed Reality headset concept render
A drawing by The Information of Apple’s possible Mixed Reality headset (Image: The Information)

As per TFI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the Apple Mixed Reality headset will come equipped with hybrid ultra-short focal length Fresnel lenses made of plastic to keep their weight below 150 grams. He adds that the device will have a total of 15 camera modules, eight of which will be used for the core AR/VR experience while the rest will be employed for unspecified biometric function(s).

View MacBook Air M1 at Amazon
 View MacBook Pro M1 at Amazon

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Facebook makes News Feed less frustrating with a bunch of new features

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

Facebook has announced a bunch of new features that aim to enhance the experience of exploring its News Feed. The first one is the ability to quickly switch between the algorithm-driven News Feed and a chronological order for the posts you see. The social media platform has had a ‘Most Recent’ option to see the News Feed content in chronological order for a while now, but it was buried in the See More menu. Now, the ‘Most Recent’ option has been moved to the new Feed Filter Bar which appears at the top of News Feed.

The Recent button for switching to chronological order now appears at the top of News Feed.

Additionally, the Favorites tool – which allows users to select up to 30 friends and pages whose content will be prioritized in the News Feed – has also been moved to the Feed Filter Bar. Facebook says the Feed Filter Bar is now available on Android and will appear on iPhones in the coming weeks.

why am i seeing this post facebook
(Tap to see full-sized image)

And in case you’re wondering why a random post just popped up on your timeline, Facebook will now provide a context as to why that happened, thanks to the “Why am I seeing this post?” feature. Users can access it from the drop-down menu that appears at the top-right corner of a post, and can then take the appropriate action to personalize their News Feed.

who can comment facebook

Another helpful feature making its way to News Feed is the ability to control who can comment on your posts. To do so, just go to any of your public posts, tap on the menu icon in the right corner and then select “Who can comment on your post?” option from the pop-up menu. You can choose between three settings – Public (anyone can comment on your post), Friends, and only the people and pages that you have tagged in your posts. Twitter also has a similar feature that allows users to restrict who can reply to a tweet, but the doors are open for retweeting and quote tweeting. 

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Verizon sets the date for shutting down its 3G network, for real this time

Posted on by Nadeem Sarwar

The saga of Verizon planning to sunset its 3G services, only to delay it again might finally come to end. The Big Red originally had plans to stop 3G operations in back 2019, but extended it to 2020. Then in January this year, the company put those plans on hold indefinitely. Now, the company has announced it is going to shut down its 3G CDMA network – for good this time – on December 31, 2022.

December 31, 2022 is the day when Verizon finally says goodbye to 3G

“We worked for the past several years to help those who still have 3G devices transfer to devices capable of accessing the 4G LTE or 5G networks and continue to actively work with remaining 3G customers to migrate them to new devices and technology. As a result of those efforts, we can now report that more than 99% of our customers are using the enhanced features of 4G LTE or 5G, with less than 1% still accessing the 3G network.”
– Verizon

To recall, Verizon no longer allows activation of non-4G devices on its network, and is now trying to migrate its remaining 3G customers to 4G or 5G with a host of plans and services for both its regular and business customers. However, Verizon says it is strongly encouraging the existing 3G users to make the upgrade. Verizon notes that it would be among the last carriers to abandon the legacy cellular networking standard.

Existing 3G users might face network degradation and lack of support moving forward

And to achieve that, Verizon says that users might experience what it calls ‘a degradation or complete loss of service’ as the company also plans to reduce its support services and will only offer assistance for extremely limited troubleshooting. More details about Verizon’s CDMA services can and the facilities that are allowed / defunct can be seen here. 

However, Verizon has made it clear that the December 31, 2022 shutdown date for its 3G telecom infrastructure will not be extended again. So, yeah, this pretty much is the final nail in the coffin. 

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