TecQ: Space X, Sony, EMV Debit Cards and Chinese Mobile Brands
Top technology stories of the week.
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TecQ is our weekly round-up of the top technology stories.
1. Sony or Bose: Which Headphone Packs a Punch Under Rs 30k?
When it comes to sound, Bose has many accolades to its name, and hence it’s touted to be “the best”. Sony is another brand which has been snapping at Bose’s heels for a while, vying for the top spot in the audio accessory market in India.
Last year, Sony launched the WH 1000-MX2 over-the-ear headphone to take on a market favourite, the Bose QC-35 II. Loaded with tech, the Sony audio gear did prove to be stiff competition, but didn’t have the kind of comfort Bose offered.
Now, Sony is back with an upgrade, the WH 1000-MX3 which also comes under Rs 30,000.
So, the big question remains. Do I still go for a Bose or try the new Sony? Read the story here to know the answer.
2. ‘Chinese Wave’ in India Stalled as Many Mobile Makers Struggle
I never thought I’d see this day but it’s happening. Chinese smartphone makers are struggling in India.
Just a couple of days ago the news of HTC shutting its smartphone division came as a shock to many. Not too many days before that, LeEco too shut shop in India and declared bankruptcy.
Now Oppo, which was once a hot favourite among selfie lovers in India is struggling and this has been corroborated after news emerged that the company’s managing director for India, Yi Wang, had resigned.
The Indian smartphone market is a highly competitive territory, which devours any brand not able to offer products that are unique, innovative and please the customers’ pockets.
Read the story here.
3. Huawei Mate 20 Pro First Look: It’s a Phone & Wireless Charger
Huawei has launched its latest flagship phone Mate 20 Pro in India with prices starting from Rs 69,990. This is Huawei’s second flagship product in the country, after the P20 Pro, which was launched earlier this year.
The Mate 20 Pro, like its predecessor, packs three cameras at the back, carries a bigger yet compact design and packs in hardware that’ll match the best in the business. The phone will be available from 3 December onwards for Prime members on Amazon, and 4 December for everyone else.
We spent sometime with the Mate 20 Pro and read here to know our first impressions of the latest Huawei flagship phone in India.
4. Here’s Why You Should Get Chip-Based Debit Cards Before 1 January
If your debit or credit doesn’t have a chip at the front, it’s time you get your existing card replaced before the year ends. Because according to a Reserve Bank of India (RBI) notification, banks have been asked to make it mandatory to issue cards with EMV chips fitted on them.
Till now, most of the plastic payment cards came with a magnetic strip at the back, which was the means to swipe for payment, as well as use it for taking out cash from ATMs.
But the old feature was easy to hack into, leaving millions of users vulnerable to card thefts or skimming without their knowledge.
To reduce such instances, RBI feels that with the assurance of having an EMV (named after Euro Pay, Mastercard and Visa) chip, which is entrusted with storing confidential data like your account details and even access to the personal identity numbers or PIN.
Read the story here.
5. This Indian Startup Will Launch Its First Satellite With SpaceX
On Sunday, 2 December, another Space X rocket will fly into the space from Vandenberg Air Force Base, which is business as usual for the Elon Musk-owned company.
The rocket was first supposed to take off earlier this month, but that didn’t come through multiple times. The new launch date was announced on Saturday.
Now that we have a confirmed launch date for the rocket, it’s time to delve into an interesting Indian context for the story, something which has been scripted from our shores in Mumbai.
A Mumbai-based company called ExseedSpace is playing a critical part of the Space X project. This Indian startup is putting a made-in-India satellite on board the rocket.
Read the story here.
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