TecQ Wrap: Samsung Galaxy S7 & S7 Edge, Freedom 251, LG G5 & More
Your weekly dose of all the tech action from around the world.
advertisement
1. Samsung Galaxy S7 & Galaxy S7 Edge: More Refined and Waterproof
Samsung unveiled its latest Galaxy S lineup – the S7 and S7 Edge – at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2016. The phones look much like the previous Galaxy S variants but get some crucial features that were missing last year.
The Korean brand has claimed that the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are now equipped to click high-quality pictures in low light and get add-on storage support as well. The phones are Samsung’s first-ever Galaxy S devices to offer water and dust resistance. With IP68 certified, Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, you can immerse the phones in up to 1.5 metres of water for 30 minutes.
The phones will be available across markets from 11 March, which should most definitely include India as well. The prices haven’t been revealed yet.
Key Specifications: Samsung Galaxy S7
- Display: 5.1-inch Quad-HD 2560x1440 pixels Super AMOLED
- Operating System: TouchWiz over Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Processor: Quad-core Snapdragon 820/ Octa-core Exynos 8890
- RAM: 4GB
- Rear Camera: 12-MP
- Front Camera: 5-MP
- Battery: 3,000 mAh
Key Specifications: Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge
- Display: 5.5-inch Quad-HD 2560x1440 pixels Super AMOLED
- Operating System: TouchWiz over Android 6.0 Marshmallow
- Processor: Quad-core Snapdragon 820/ Octa-core Exynos 8890
- RAM: 4GB
- Rear Camera: 12-MP
- Front Camera: 5-MP
- Battery: 3,600mAh
2. You’ve Been ‘Made’ in India! Freedom 251 Now to Be Imported
In a dramatic u-turn, Ringing Bells will now import the components for 50 lakh units of Freedom 251. The company had earlier announced that the phone will be launched as part of the Make in India initiative.
The company will start the manufacturing process in the next 6 to 8 months, said Ringing Bells spokesperson. This latest development in the Freedom 251 episode has raised more questions than it has answered.
Earlier this week, the company’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), over a telephonic conversation with The Quint, revealed that the assembly process had already begun. However, when questioned further, the company refused to divulge the address of the assembling unit.
The story of the world’s cheapest smartphone is getting murkier by the day. The company claims to have gotten payment for 30,000 orders worth up to Rs 75 lakh in just two days, while over 7 crore people have registered for the phone.
3. LG G5 Is a Modular Phone With Dual Camera & Swap Out Battery
2016 could be the year of the modular phone. What intrigued us, however, was the G5 by LG. Although the phone’s look and design have been in the public domain for some time now, the final product was the real surprise.
The ‘swap out, swap in’ battery case is integral to LG G5’s modular promise.
The phone is estimated to be priced at around $800 (Rs 49,000, approx) and will be available across markets in the coming months. It’s worth noting that the phone is no slouch on the hardware side of affairs either.
LG has played its cards well, but we wonder where the brand really stands among the leading phone makers, with its latest flagship product.
It’ll be interesting to see how LG plans to offer the modular accessories and how they’re priced in comparison to the phone.
4. Here’s How Railways in India Will Become Tech-Savvy This Year
Rail Budget 2016 was presented earlier this week. Like every year, we have been promised bullet and other high-speed trains. This year, the railway ministry’s promises come sprinkled with technology.
We can all agree that the current government is heavily focused on integrating technology, wherever possible. And the railways is set to get a solid tech upgrade. Here is what they have in store for you.
Read the entire story here.
5. All You Need to Know About Samsung’s Gear VR Headset
There’s no better way to show what virtual reality (VR) has in store for us than to experience the magic of a virtual reality headset. Last year, we were treated to entry-level options like the Google Cardboard and then had devices like the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive to look forward to.
Samsung chipped in with the Oculus-powered Gear VR headset which is optimally priced at Rs 8,200. But, can this VR headset make its presence felt in the market? Here’s the lowdown on the Gear VR made by Samsung in collaboration with Oculus.
What Is It?
Samsung Gear VR offers a 360-degree immersive viewing experience that’s dubbed to be the future of technology across spheres. You can buy the Gear VR in India for Rs 8,200 which promises to offer better VR results than the inexpensive Google Cardboard without costing as much as its other competitors.
Read the entire story here.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)