TecQ: Voice-Based Apps, OnePlus 6 Launch, Apple Watch & More
TecQ is our weekly round-up of the technology stories that made the news.
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1. OnePlus 6 Launch: Everything We Know About OnePlus 5T Successor
Putting all rumours to bed, OnePlus this week announced that OnePlus 6 (yes, that’s the name) will be launching in India on 17 May. The phone, their fifth flagship in the country, has been mooted for various reasons, including the iPhone X-like notch it’s going to sport.
Besides that comparison, there’s a lot to look forward to with the OnePlus 6, which could be pricier than its current bracket of 38K. What else do we know about the upcoming phone? Read here to find out if this is the phone for you.
2. Asus ZenFone Max Pro Vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro: When Pros Duel
Just a few days ago, before the official launch of the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro, I had the opportunity to attend the pre-launch briefing of ASUS’s new smartphone.
During the briefing, I must have heard the names “Xiaomi Note 5 Pro” & “Redmi Note 5” being mentioned more than the ZenFone Max Pro, which is where I figured that ASUS is really in the mood to dethrone Xiaomi from the top. Find out if the Asus Zenfone Max Pro in our comparison here with the Redmi Note 5 stands a chance.
3. What Goes Into Making a Voice-Based App for Smart Speakers?
The Indian developer community doesn’t get the credit it deserves, but Amazon is putting this debate to rest once and for all. The Jeff Bezos-owned technology giant envisages a world built around the Star Trek vision, where humans should be able to do anything through a voice command. And it is already happening.
‘Hey Google’ and ‘Hey Alexa’ will pretty soon become popular trigger words in your circuit/household, and voice will be at the forefront of the same. The advent of voice-commands is slowly getting thrust upon computing platforms, and developers are taking notes.
It’s not as lucrative as mobile apps just yet, though. So, what’s pushing developers in the country to make voice skills for Alexa-like platforms, and how do they even make it? Read here to know the business of making voice apps and how Indians are warming up to it.
4. Apple Watch Series 3 4G SIM Model Now in India With Jio & Airtel
Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio on Tuesday announced the sale of Apple Watch Series 3 (GPS + Cellular) in India which will be available starting from 11 May at Rs 39,000.
According to industry sources, Reliance Jio is also planning to bring Apple Watch Series 3 to its stores with pre-orders starting 4 May. iPhone users can use it for messaging and even voice calls. All without keeping the phone with you all the time.
Although launched globally alongside the other Watch Series 3 variants, Apple has taken its own sweet time to bring the LTE model to the Indian market.
Both Jio and Airtel will be offering eSIM variant Watch Series 3 in the coming weeks, with a trial plan, and will work with your existing mobile number.
Read the full story here.
5. 4 Reasons Why 2017 Saw People Buying More Feature Phones in India
India is a growing market, one of the largest in the world where people continue to buy phones in millions. Well, that’s what we’ve been told over the past six to eight months, and while that’s still the reality, the protagonists seem to have switched positions recently.
According to recent analyst reports, the feature phone segment seems to have stolen the limelight from the smartphones. More people have bought non-Android supported devices over the past four months in India.
Read here to know the reasons why we think this has happened.
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