Microsoft Moves Ignite 2020 Online Due to Coronavirus; More Events to Follow https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Microsoft-Moves-Ignite-2020-Online-Due-to-Coronavirus-More-Events-to-Follow.jpg

Microsoft has already moved its Microsoft MVP Summit, Build 2020, and Inspire 2020 online in light of coronavirus pandemic. The latest one to join the list is Ignite 2020 that was scheduled to be held this September in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“Microsoft Ignite will be launched as a digital event experience this September. Join us to learn innovative ways to build solutions, migrate and manage your infrastructure, and connect with Microsoft experts and other technology professionals from around the globe.”, reads the event website.

In fact, according to a recent report from ZDNet, Microsoft considers moving all events for the fiscal year 2021 (July 2020 to June 2021) online. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed ZDNet that all Microsoft events that were scheduled for the calendar year 2020 will be digital.

“In light of the challenges presented by Covid-19, we are adjusting our event calendar and strategy. For the remainder of 2020 we are embracing the opportunity to experiment with new platforms to provide our partners, customers and developers the highest quality, digital-first experiences.”, reads the statement.

The Redmond giant is hesitant to confirm if the company would consider virtual events for the second part of the fiscal year (January to June 2021), which makes sense as the decision really depends on how long the ongoing coronavirus pandemic is going to last. “We will continue to evaluate the event landscape, but that is what we have to share at this time,” the spokesperson added.

Microsoft has taken several steps to help contain or create awareness regarding the pandemic. Notably, the company pledged $1 million, closed its retail stores, built a coronavirus tracker map, to name a few. You may read more about Microsoft’s response to coronavirus here.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/microsoft-ignite-2020-online-coronavirus/

[UPDATE] ACT Fibernet Upgrades Users’ Internet Speeds to 300Mbps to Facilitate Remote Work https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/act-fibernet-300mbps-upgrade-free-featured.jpg

In the wake of the spreading Coronavirus in the country, a lot of companies are asking its employees to opt for remote work instead of coming in to work everyday. Now, in a step meant to facilitate work from home for its customers, Indian ISP ACT Fibernet is offering its users a free upgrade to 300Mbps speeds on its fiber broadband for the month of March, 2020.

The company made the announcement via an email which said “We realize that many of our customers are opting for lesser travel and increased work from home due to prevailing Coronavirus situation. […] To strengthen your work from home experience we will be upgrading your home internet speeds to 300Mbps and provided you with unlimited FUP for the month of March 2020 — at no extra cost.”

If you’re an ACT user you can avail the offer by launching the ACT Fibernet app on your smartphone, and tapping on the banner that shows up in the app. You will receive a confirmation that your internet speeds have been upgraded and that you have an unlimited FUP for the month of March 2020.

It’s nice to see internet providers taking steps to help users continue working from home with faster internet speeds and no data caps, and hopefully, more companies will follow in the footsteps of ACT soon.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/act-fibernet-upgrades-users-internet-speeds-to-300mbps-to-facilitate-remote-work/

Nvidia Further Talks up Minecraft Ray Tracing Support; Says It’s Coming Soon https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/farmto-table-2-4.jpg

Back in August last year, Nvidia revealed that everyone’s favorite block-building game Minecraft is getting ray tracing support. Mojang, the game developer, intends to add a layer of realism to the title with this technology. It’s been more than six months since the initial announcement and we are yet to see the fruits of Nvidia and Mojang’s labor. Well, Nvidia has shared an update today, further detailing the ray tracing support for Minecraft.

Nvidia has released a couple of videos talking in-depth about how ray tracing is being implemented in Minecraft – that too in real-time. A lot of documentation for the ray tracing variant has been released today and it’s a huge departure from shader packs and textures that hardcore Minecraft fans are familiar with. Minecraft with RTX has been built from the ground up to let you build fully ray-traced worlds with reflections, shadows, caustics, global illumination, and other realistic lighting effects.

We’ve also got a first look at some ray-traced worlds from popular Minecraft creators, namely Razzleberries, GeminiTay, and BlockWorks. The structures seen below would have looked lifeless and dark but thanks to ray tracing support, you can now see more reflective and textured surfaces. It does feel more real and life-like.

1 of 3

Of Temples and Totems RTX by Razzleberries

Crystal Palace RTX by GeminiTay

Imagination Island RTX by BlockWorks

Further, Nvidia has confirmed that existing worlds created or converted in Minecraft: Bedrock Edition can then be upgraded (i.e converted) to support ray tracing and PBR textures. You can go ahead and read about everything on Nvidia’s blog right here.

As for when we can expect Minecraft with RTX to make its way to our PCs, Nvidia still says that it’s “coming soon” in an official blog post. It hasn’t revealed an exact time frame at the moment, so stay tuned. We will update you once the new ray tracing tech-supported Minecraft update goes live.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/nvidia-talks-up-minecraft-ray-tracing-coming-soon/

Google App May Soon Get a List of ‘Assistant-enabled Apps’ on Android https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Google-App-shutterstock-website.jpg

Version 11.3 of the Google App started rolling out to the beta channel on Monday with some minor tweaks for the most part, but an APK teadown by 9to5Google suggests that the company has been working on a number of features that might be a part of the software in the coming weeks.

One of the biggest changes will likely be a built-in list of apps that can be controlled via Google Assistant. As can be seen from the screenshots below, the apps will be listed on a ‘Shortcuts’ page that can be accessed via a new menu item titled ‘Assistant-enabled apps’. The description of the page says: “You can use Assistant to navigate and get things done with your installed apps”.

Screenshots Courtesy: 9to5Google

It’s worth noting that the Shortcuts page only shows two apps for now – Google and YouTube. Moreover, given that the feature is still a work in progress, the ‘Recommended Shortcuts’ section is currently blank, but one would expect that to be filled out with actual recommendations going forward. It will, hopefully, also add all Assistant-supported apps to the list, helping users see which apps on their device can be controlled using voice commands.

Do note that the aforementioned feature is not yet available on the Google app and, was only discovered by decompiling the APK of the latest beta. While there’s a very good chance that Google will offer this functionality in a future version of the app, the teardown only suggests that the company is experimenting with it for now, with no guarantee that it will ever be a part of the software going forward.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/google-app-assistant-enabled-apps-android/

Mobile Data Usage Reportedly Increased 10 Percent Since Lockdown https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Mobile-Data-Usage-Reportedly-Records-10-Percent-Increase-Since-Lockdown.jpg

With the ongoing 21-day lockdown in India to contain the spread of coronavirus, there is no doubt that we’re using our phones and embracing the work from home culture more than ever before. As a result, everyone would expect mobile data usage to skyrocket to set new records of internet traffic across the country, but a new report from the Economic Times citing top government sources gives us numbers that are closer to reality.

According to the report, mobile internet usage has increased by around 10 percent since the start of lockdown (25 March) in Delhi and a significantly lower 3 percent rise in Mumbai.

“Data consumption on mobile networks has increased by about 10-12% and in fact in
places like Delhi, it has inched by 3% while in some areas of the capital, it has actually
fallen”, a senior government official told ET.

The temporary HD video restriction has got a role to play in this situation, according to Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) director-general Rajan Mathews. “Well, the mobile data consumption had surged by 30% but with shift in video-streaming from HD to SD … it has certainly come down but is still high enough at 20%,” he said.

The report points out the migrant population in metro cities to be one of the reasons for a lower-than-expected rise in metro cities since a significant number of people must have gone to their native places to stay close to their loved ones. “We think demand in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata has risen by 3%, 4% and 6%, respectively, since there has been a mass exodus of migrant population from these towns in the wake of Covid-19”

The real surge in network traffic happened in Assam, Himachal Pradesh, and West Bengal with 13, 14, and 15 percent respectively. However, officials claim those areas have sufficient network capacity to handle the unusual load.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/mobile-data-usage-increase-lockdown/

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered Available on PS4 Today https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cod-modern-warfare-remaster.jpg

As a fan of shooting games, I have a deep-rooted love-hate relationship with Call of Duty games. While I didn’t enjoy playing Advanced Warfare too much, the original Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series remains, to this day, one of my favourite single player campaigns of all time. If you’re in the same boat as I, you’ll be glad to know that Modern Warfare 2’s single player campaign has been remastered for PS4 and it’s now available to purchase.

Yes, much in the same way as the original Modern Warfare remaster, you can now experience all of COD:MW2’s single player missions in their newfound remastered glory.

Plus, if you buy the remaster, you also get the “Underwater Demo Team Classic Ghost Bundle” for free, which adds new content to the latest iteration of CoD games — Modern Warfare (which I’m currently playing. I know, late, but whatever.)

In this bundle you’ll get the Ghost skin we saw in MW2, along with ‘Task Force’ and ‘One for One’ weapon blueprints, a voice clip for Ghost, and a lot more.

So, if you’ve played the remastered version of the original Call of Duty Modern Warfare, I’m fairly sure I don’t need to convince you to drop the $20 to get this remastered version of Modern Warfare 2. If you’re new to Call of Duty; Modern Warfare 1,2, and 3 should be the games you jump in with.

Buy Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Remastered from the PlayStation Store ($19.99 / ₹1,695)

from Beebom https://beebom.com/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-2-remaster-ps4/

Xiaomi Increases Phone Prices to Counter 50% GST Hike; Effective from Today https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/redmi-note-9-pro-launched-in-india.jpg

If you’ve been keeping up with the latest updates, you would know that the goods and services tax (GST) on mobile phones was hiked from 12% to 18% in India in March. It comes as a huge blow for phone makers and Xiaomi seems to be the first one to have announced a price hike for its entire portfolio.

No, this is not an April Fool’s joke as many Mi fans suspect. This is 100% real. Xiaomi India MD Manu Kumar Jain took to Twitter last night to break this news. The caption of his tweet, as you can see below, read – “After much deliberation & in keeping with #Xiaomi policy of maintaining <5% margin on our hardware products, we will be increasing prices of our products.”

The GST rate hike comes in effect today, i.e 1st April 2020, and Xiaomi has now taken the necessary measures to counter the effect on its business. The reasons for the price hike are cited in the open letter attached below. Jain mentions that the GST rate hike, combined with depreciation in Rupee vs US Dollar rates has led to this decision.

Mi fans, #GST on mobile phones has increased by 50% from 12% to 18%.

After much deliberation & in keeping with #Xiaomi policy of maintaining <5% margin on our hardware products,we will be increasing prices of our products.

New prices will be effective immediately. Thank you! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/mdTqKdXm3r

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) March 31, 2020

Also, if you are not aware, Xiaomi is determined to stick to less than 5% profit margin on all of its products. This move was announced back in 2018, making it possible for the Chinese giant to offer its devices at so-called “honest prices.” So yeah, there wasn’t much choice left for Xiaomi except for bumping up the retail prices of its smartphones.

What does this mean for you? Well, all of your favorite Xiaomi, Redmi, as well as Poco phones, are going to be more expensive going forward. The company is yet to update its official website but the newer prices for some phones have already gone into effect on e-commerce platforms. You cannot place an order due to the ongoing lockdown in India but yeah, the updated prices are live on Flipkart.

The newly launched Redmi Note 9 Pro that was launched starting at Rs. 12,999 back in March now starts at Rs. 14,999 for the 4GB+64GB base variant. The Redmi K20 series receives a huge price hike as well. Redmi K20 and K20 Pro now start at Rs. 21,999 and Rs. 26,999 respectively as opposed to Rs. 19,999 and Rs. 24,999 that the base variants were selling for. More importantly, Poco X2 has also received a minor price hike. It was launched starting at Rs. 15,999 but its base variant is now selling for Rs. 16,999 over on Flipkart.

The increased tax rate on smartphones can be seen as a regressive move and one that stands opposed to the digital revolution that India may have been looking forward to. Apart from Xiaomi, it’s currently rumored that Oppo has hiked phone prices by 5% to balance the effects of the new GST rate.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/xiaomi-increases-phone-prices-counter-gst-hike/

Apple Acquires Weather App ‘Dark Sky’; Will Shut Down Android Version https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/dark-sky-apple.jpg

Much like Google, Apple has a history for acquiring really great third-party apps and shutting them down, albeit usually after incorporating their features into iOS. It happened with the popular iOS automation app ‘Workflow’ which became Siri Shortcuts, and now, the Cupertino giant has acquired the extremely popular weather app ‘Dark Sky’.

In a blog post announcing the acquisition, Dark Sky co-founder Adam Grossman said “Our goal has always been to provide the world with the best weather information possible, to help as many people as we can stay dry and safe, and to do so in a way that respects your privacy. There is no better place to accomplish these goals than at Apple. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to reach far more people, with far more impact, than we ever could alone.”

According to the post, the company will be shutting down its Android and wearOS apps, and they are already no longer available to download. If you’re a Dark Sky user on Android, you’ll be able to use the app till July 1. After that, if any Android or wearOS users still have a subscription to the service, they will be given refunds.

Apart from that, the service’s APIs will reportedly continue working until the end of 2021, which is great news for any third-party weather apps that pull weather information from Dark Sky. However, the company is no longer allowing new registrations to use the APIs.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/apple-acquires-weather-app-dark-sky-will-shut-down-android-version/

Supremo: Work from Home and Control Your Office PC with Ease https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Supremo-Work-from-Home-and-Control-Your-Office-PC-with-Ease.jpg

COVID-19 has changed the way we think about our daily work life. Suddenly, people are forced to self-quarantine and can’t go to work. Companies are realizing that not all workers need to come to the office daily, and many of their employees can work from home as effectively as they could from the office. And I am quite sure that even after COVID-19 blows over, remote work will remain a norm. That being said, working from home has its fair share of challenges, and if people don’t adapt to a smart working methodology, they will find it hard to succeed. Thankfully, companies like Nanosystems who provide smart and effective remote working solutions are here to help you out. In this article, I am going to take a quick look at Nanosystems’ remote working solution Supremo and tell you how it can enhance and elevate your work.

What is Supremo?

You must have heard about Remote Desktop software like TeamViewer. You might even have tried using them but they didn’t stick. TeamViewer and other such remote desktop software are both complex and costly. And now that you have to work from home, you don’t know what to do. Well, that’s the reason we are discussing Supremo. Supremo is a Remote Desktop software that allows you to take control of your remote working lifestyle with its teleworking features.

Using Supremo you can easily access any remote desktop and keep working from anywhere. Not only Supremo is easy to set-up but it also brings a stable and secure connection, enhanced features, and supports all major operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. In the sections below, we are going to look at its core features to see what it brings to the table and how it can improve your remote working environment.

Key Features

1. Plug & Play Remote Access

One of the best features of Supremo is how easy it is to download the software and get it running. The main problem with most Remote Desktop software is that you have to spend a considerable amount of time configuring the software before you can start using it. Supremo negates that problem by bringing plug & play remote access. Users don’t need to configure their routers or firewall to remote into a computer. You don’t even need to install the software. Just download it on your device and launch it.

2. Unattended Access

Another great feature of Supremo is the ability to remotely access any device without needing a person in front of the screen. This gives you the flexibility to connect to a remote desktop anytime you want. For example, once you set-up Supremo as a Windows service on your office desktop, you will be able to access it from anywhere without needing anyone from the office to authorize the access. You can remote in anytime you want and get the work done.

3. “Allowed IDs” Feature

The unattended feature that we just discussed might make you think that Supremo is not secure as it doesn’t require anyone to authorize remote access. Well, thanks to Supremo’s “Allowed IDs” feature, no-one will be able to access your computer. The feature allows you to set specific devices that you consider safe. And you will be able to remote into your desktop only if you are using allowed devices. This means, there’s no chance that anyone can remote into your desktop without permission.

4. Easily Transfer Files

Once you start working from home, you might realize that you forgot to transfer some important documents from your work computer and now you need them. Well, thanks to Supremo’s easy file transfer system, you can copy that file to your home computer and start working. Supremo also supports drag-and-drop gestures so you can easily manage files between devices. And since the data transfer is always encrypted, no unauthorized personnel can access your data.

5. Online Address Book and Contact Sharing

Sometimes you need to collaborate on projects with multiple team-members and it can be a challenge when you are working from home. Supremo brings a nifty solution to this problem. Thanks to its online address book and contact sharing feature, you can easily collaborate with other users. The online address book lets you instantly view if a contact is online or offline, and you can connect with them with just a few clicks. You can even share contacts with your colleagues and collaborate with them.

6. Online Report

If you want to have a successful work from home experience, you need a way to monitor connections and determine the productivity of your team. Using Supremo’s online reports you can easily collect, view, filter, and export reports related to outgoing connections. You can also monitor connections made during the working days by all the connected accounts. This will not only help you determine your team’s productivity but also help during invoice and billing.

7. Interface Customization

If you are working in remote support, you don’t want a Remote Desktop service provider’s logo showing up on the clients’ screen. That is not good for branding. Supremo allows you to customize the interface of its software by allowing you to use your company’s logo, information, and references. This is an excellent feature and ensures that your branding is always on point.

User Interface and Ease of Use

As I mentioned, Supremo is one of the easiest Remote Desktop software to get used to. It’s easy to install process and plug & play approach allows you to start working remotely within minutes. Also, the unattended connections feature is a boon for anyone who needs to constantly access work or home machines. The connection is secure and stable and you never feel any discomfort. Also, the easy to use drag-and-drop file management features ensure that you can always access that important file. Overall, I would say that Supremo has done a good job with its design and made the software accessible to everybody.

Pricing and Availability

Supremo is free for individual users who are using it for personal use. It also offers a comprehensive 21 day free trial for anyone who wants to test the software. For companies and freelancers working remotely, it is the most affordable remote desktop access software, thanks to its competitive price starting from $6/month/user. You can reduce this cost even further by getting the quarterly or annual plans.

When it comes to platform support, Supremo doesn’t disappoint. It’s a cross-platform software for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. You can connect from a PC, smartphone, or tablet from anywhere. So, no matter what operating system you and your colleagues are using, you will be able to work and collaborate using Supremo.

Check out Supremo

Forget Expensive and Complex Remote Desktop Software: Use Supremo to Work Smartly from Home

Supremo is one of the best Remote Desktop software on the market. The two main USPs of Supremo, in my opinion, is its plug & play approach and affordable pricing. Both these features ensure that Supremo is accessible to more users than any other Remote Desktop software. So, if you working remotely and don’t know what to, check out Supremo and see for yourself if it can help you and your team or not.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/supremo-work-from-home-control-your-office-pc/

Uber Launches ‘UberMedic’ To Transport Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Crisis https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/uber-new-safety-features-india.jpg

To help contain the spread of COVID-19 in India, ride-hailing giant Uber said on Tuesday that it has launched a new service, UberMedic, to transport frontline healthcare workers.

“Uber is providing a new service, UberMedic, to transport frontline healthcare workers and help the government contain the spread of COVID-19 in India,” Pradeep Parameswaran, President, Uber India and South Asia, said in a statement.

“Working closely with a network of hospitals and leveraging our global experience and technology, UberMedic allows hospitals to easily and reliably arrange transportation for doctors and other health workers to and from their homes as well as to healthcare facilities,” Parameswaran said.

UberMedic is designed to ensure that all healthcare workers who need to be mobile have a reliable and efficient way of getting around.

“We hope that this 24/7 dedicated service gives hospitals and their healthcare workers the flexibility to provide optimal healthcare,” Uber said in a statement.

Uber said it will facilitate top-rated drivers and dedicated cars to the hospitals through its platform.

Keeping the safety of drivers in mind, and in line with the government advisory, it will work with partner hospitals to provide drivers with personal protective equipment (PPE), including hand sanitisers, gloves, disinfectant sprays and face masks.

The drivers will be well-trained in COVID-19 related safety protocols, such as not allowing riders to sit in the front passenger seat, Uber said.

“We will also provide dedicated phone support to our riders who use this service,” it added.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/ubermedic-launched-healthcare-workers/

Google Rolls out India-specific Website on COVID-19 https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/google-covid-19-india-website.jpg

Google on Tuesday rolled out an India-specific website on coronavirus that delivers comprehensive information about the pandemic, and how to stay productive during this time.

The website contains information such as key helpline numbers, content about symptoms, protective measures, known treatments, and the latest global and Indian statistics.

It also hosts a collection of videos on how people can use their time productively while at home, as well as resources and training modules for individuals, small businesses, and educators to stay connected and informed, especially when self-isolated at home.

The website has four key sections: health information, safety and prevention tips, data & insights, and resources.

The Safety and Prevention Tips section consists of educational and informative links and videos by the Union Health Ministry, aiming to convey to people the importance of washing hands, declaring symptoms, and adopting responsible behaviour.

The website also carries a snapshot of some of the most popular searches related to coronavirus, including the latest coronavirus news, right way to wash hands, things to do at home, as well as answers to questions like what is social distancing?, what is a lockdown? or what is self-quarantine?.

The Data and Insights section shows up-to-date insights from Google Trends including some of the most searched and trending questions on COVID-19 from India.

The Resources section hosts several useful videos that help parents and kids spend time learning at home, or help people with coping techniques for stressful days, or simply try their hand at new recipes and DIY (do it yourself) projects spanning art and fitness.

To help people get up and running for working from home, there are also links to key resources: Individuals will find tips for getting work done when working from home useful, and teachers can connect with their students using resources like Distance learning resources for schools, Teach from Home tools for teachers, and methods to help kids learn to read at home.

For entrepreneurs running small and medium businesses, there is information on managing their business through uncertainty and training tools for remote working and learning.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/google-india-specific-covid-19-website/

Apple Reportedly Lets Select Employees Take Unreleased Products Home https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Apple-store-feat..jpg

Apple, like a lot of other tech companies across the world, has embraced the work from home culture in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. Apple is known for its strict policies to maintain secrecy about its upcoming products but the company is reportedly being more flexible by allowing some of its employees to take home early versions of products.

The report comes from Mark Gurman of Bloomberg citing unnamed Apple employees. According to the report, Apple started allowing engineers to take early-stage products home to work during this lockdown period.

However, that requires approval from a vice president and the list of employees with unreleased products is often reviewed by the team of Apple’s senior vice presidents. Apple’s approval is not only required for hardware devices but also for employees working on upcoming software versions.

According to Bloomberg, the software releases for this year are currently planned to be held as per the schedule at its annual developer conference WWDC 2020, which is happening online this June due to coronavirus outbreak. As per reliable tipster Jon Prosser from Front Page Tech, the internal tentative date for WWDC 2020 is June 1.

In addition, the report reveals tools used by Apple employees during this lockdown period. Apple allegedly uses FaceTime, Slack, and Cisco’s Jabber & WebEx for video conferencing, and Apple’s productivity-focused applications, Salesforce’s Quip and Box for file sharing.

The company is giving tips to configure ergonomic work setups and offers reimbursement for desks and computer monitors to make sure employees don’t face too much struggle during this time of crisis. Also, they’re running a desk setup contest to take the pressure off.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/apple-employees-unreleased-products-home/

Disney+ India Launch Set for 3rd April; New Subscription Plans Detailed https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/disney-hotstar-india-launch-date-april-3.jpg

Disney+ was earlier set to make its India debut on 29th March, alongside the newest season of IPL (Indian Premier League) via Hotstar. The company decided to delay the launch due to IPL being postponed amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. It didn’t reveal a new date at the time but has today confirmed that Disney+ will officially make its India debut on 3rd April.

If you are not already aware, Disney+ will launch in India via Hotstar. It is one of the most popular streaming services in the country. But, in line with this launch, it will be rebranded to Disney+ Hotstar later this week.

Before that, you must be wondering — why is Disney+ now launching just four days after the previous launch date? Wasn’t it going to be delayed?

Yeah, the Disney+ Hotstar launch was delayed due to the sudden stop placed on IPL 2020. The company decided to rethink its strategy amidst the Coronavirus outbreak, said Uday Shankar, President, The Walt Disney Company APAC and chairman, Star and Disney India. However, they’re readying for launch this week because there’s no fresh content being launched in India amidst this outbreak. Disney+ Hostar plans to fill this void and attract some new eyeballs in the process.

Disney+ Hostar will arrive with a refreshed app and website design, which we already got to see during the beta testing earlier this month. We have still attached a couple of screenshots showing off the new design. This new service will also launch with fresh and slightly more exorbitant subscription plans.

New Disney+ Hotstar Subscription Plans

If you are an existing user, you know that Hotstar lets you choose between two annual subscription plans – Hotstar VIP (Rs. 365) and Hotstar Premium (Rs. 999). Disney+ Hotstar is going to continue with the same model but with increased tariffs across the board.

First of all, let me make it clear that existing Hotstar VIP and Premium subscribers won’t have to shell an additional penny till the end of their subscription plans. New subscribers, on the other hand, will now have to shell out:

• Rs. 399 for Disney+ Hotstar VIP
• Rs. 1,499 for Disney+ Hotstar Premium

As for the difference between the two, Disney+ Hotstar VIP will enable subscribers to access the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe content library. You will also get access to live sports, a host of Hotstar Originals, and recent Bollywood movies.

Disney+ Hotstar Premium is the subscription plan you will need to opt for if you want to watch Disney+ originals, including High School Musical, Landy and the Tramp, and most importantly, The Mandalorian. The latest American shows from studios, such as HBO, Fox, and Showtime will also be included in this subscription. You do get all of the VIP content here as well, so don’t worry about that.

So yeah, get ready to spend a little extra to enjoy all your favorite Marvel and Star Wars content on the new Disney+ Hotstar.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/disney-india-launch-set-april-3-new-subscription-plans/

Sony, Disney and Other Hollywood Studios Postpone New Releases Due to Coronavirus https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/sony-article-e1523623333315.jpg

Sony has postponed the release of many of its upcoming movies in view of the coronavirus pandemic and the resultant lockdowns that have almost completely shut down most of the major global economies, including the US, China, India and the EU. Some of the most-awaited movies that were set to be released over the next few months, such as Uncharted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Peter Rabbit 2, have now all been rescheduled to be released next year.

Another notable casualty is Greyhound, a World War II drama starring Tom Hanks. It was originally slated for release in June, but has now been taken off the roster indefinitely. Both Hanks and his wife, actress Rita Wilson, are recuperating after testing positive for the novel coronavirus in Australia earlier this month. Interestingly, the release date for a movie called Fatherhood, starring comedian Kevin Hart, has been moved up to October 2020 from January, 2021.

Sony is not the only major movie studio that is holding back the release of its upcoming movies because of the pandemic. According to Variety, Warner Bros. is postponing Wonder Woman 1984 to August instead of June while indefinitely pulling a couple of other upcoming movies called Scoob and In the Heights that were due out in May and June, respectively.

Disney has also postponed at least a couple of its upcoming titles, including Black Widow and Mulan, while similar fates have befallen the next installment in Universal’s Fast & Furious franchise, titled Fast 9; MGM’s next James Bond release, No Time to Die; and Paramount’s upcoming sequel for the Emily Blunt – John Krasinski film, A Quiet Place.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/sony-disney-hollywood-studios/

Poco F2 Won’t Be a Rebranded K30 Pro: Report https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/poco-x2-specs-features-and-price.jpg

The long-awaited Poco F2 is in the news again but as always, there is no concrete information regarding its specifications or availability. Poco held a virtual community meet last evening on Zoom, where the company’s General Manager C Manmohan reportedly debunked a few rumors about the Poco F2.

The major takeaway from the Zoom meeting is that Poco F2 won’t be a rebranded Redmi K30 Pro that got launched last week in China. Notably, this directly contradicts XDA‘s findings in the MIUI Camera app’s code from a recent MIUI 11 beta.

According to FoneArena‘s report, he also revealed the handset is still in the works and won’t be priced around Rs.20,000 like the Poco F1. Another report from MySmartPrice hints the K30 Pro won’t be launched as Poco X2 Pro in India either.

Going by these, Poco might either entirely skip a Redmi K30 Pro rebrand or give it a new name apart from these two. However, since Poco GM believes 5G isn’t an imminent need in India, Poco launching a rebranded 5G phone appears to be unlikely to happen.

Poco has also apparently confirmed its plans to launch TWS earbuds in the country. In fact, Poco GM conducted a poll on Twitter last week where a majority of users voted for earbuds. However, we will have to wait to see if Poco would rebrand one of Xiaomi’s existing earbuds that has not launched in India yet or work on a new one from scratch.

Hey guys, the home quarantine situation has offered me the luxury to sit back and think. For one – do you guys think POCO should launch other cool tech products apart from smartphones? If so, what do you guys suggest? Vote below!

— C Manmohan (@cmanmohan) March 26, 2020

So, now that you know Poco F2 won’t be priced around Rs.20,000 and won’t be a rebranded Redmi K30 Pro, are you still excited to know what Poco has to offer? Let us know in the comments.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/poco-f2-rebranded-k30-pro/

Xiaomi India Pledges Rs. 15 Crores Towards COVID-19 Relief Efforts https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Xiaomi-to-Invest-6000-7000-Crore-in-Indian-Startups-Manu-Kumar-Jain.jpg

Even though India is currently on a 21-day total lockdown, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continue to soar. Tech giants, celebrities, and philanthropists in the country are now stepping up to the cause. Earlier in the day, Reliance announced that it’s donating a whopping Rs. 500 crores to the PM Relief Fund. Now, Xiaomi India has pledged Rs. 15 crores for the fight against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Xiaomi India MD Manu Kumar Jain took to Twitter to talk about the company’s efforts in helping the country cope with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Jain wrote an open letter saying that “Xiaomi will donate INR 10 crores to the honorable PM’s relief fund and CM’s relief funds across various states.”

The company further requests its 1000+ employees and partners to donate directly to honorable PM’s relief fund, CM relief fund, or a portion of their salary. Xiaomi has also partnered with non-profit organization GiveIndia to make 20,000 hygiene kits (including soaps, sanitizers, and masks) available to families in need. It’s turning to Mi fans and partners to accept donations via its own website. You could follow this link to donate for yourself. 100% of the proceeds go towards relief efforts, GiveIndia doesn’t charge a fundraising fee.

#Xiaomi is pledging ₹ 15 Cr. for:

1) Prime Minister's relief fund
2) CM's fund across states
3) Masks & suits for doctors
4) @GiveIndia partnership on Mi. com
5) Helping needy with NGOs

Proud of team, partners & Mi Fans who are also contributing.#India 🇮🇳 #IndiaFightsCorona pic.twitter.com/1fg36N4fmP

— Manu Kumar Jain (@manukumarjain) March 31, 2020

In addition, the Chinese giant has donated face masks and hazmat suits for healthcare personnel and will continue to do so in the future. It has also joined hands with several other NGOs in India to help support daily wage workers, migrants, and stray animals in these tough times. All of this combined, Xiaomi intends to contribute over Rs. 15 crores towards relief efforts in India.

Several phone makers in India have canceled upcoming phone launches, except for the flagship killer brand – OnePlus, who is launching the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro on April 14. Many companies are busy with COVID-19 relief efforts, including telecom operators and ISPs, who are doing everything in their power to support users. Most e-commerce and online delivery platforms are overburdened with orders, but we are pushing ahead together in these tough times.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/xiaomi-pledges-rs-15-crores-covid-19-relief-efforts/

How to Use Zoom for Video Conferencing like a Pro https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/How-to-Use-Zoom-for-Video-Conferencing-like-a-Pro-1.jpg

With the rise of video conferencing, Zoom has become a household name and rightly so. The company has been pretty popular in its domain, but apart from that, general users didn’t have much idea about its existence. So if you are new to Zoom and want to learn about its installation process then you have landed at the right place. In this article, we bring you a step by step guide on how to install and use Zoom for video conferencing like a Pro. We have also mentioned some basic tips and tricks at the end so you get a fair idea about how to navigate Zoom for creating and joining a meeting. So without further delay, let’s go ahead and learn about the installation process.

Use Zoom for Video Conferencing like a Pro

1. There are two ways to use Zoom: through a web browser or a dedicated Zoom client. Generally, people use Zoom on a web browser because it’s fast and lightweight. However, you can install Zoom Client if you want more features. Here are the download links for major operating systems.

• Chrome Browser/Chrome OS
• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS

2. In this tutorial, I am installing Zoom on Windows to show you the whole setup process. After downloading the client from the above links, open it and click on the “Install” button. Next, click on the “Sign In” button.

3. Here, click on “Sign Up Free” to create a Zoom account. You can also sign in with your Google or Facebook account, but I would recommend you to create a separate Zoom account for better privacy.

4. After you are done creating the account, you will be presented with the Zoom dashboard. From here, you can easily start a video conference by simply clicking on the  “New Meeting” option.

5. Instantly, you will be live and you can invite users by clicking on the “Invite” button. Here, copy the URL and share it with your teammates who are already on Zoom. However, if you want to invite someone who is not on Zoom then simply click on “Copy Invitation” and share it with the individual. It will have the Meeting ID and a password so the user can seamlessly authenticate and join the web conference through a web browser.

6. Similarly, you can join a meeting by clicking on the “Join” button. Here, enter the “Meeting ID” and you are in. If the host has not set a password for the meeting then it won’t ask for a password.

7. Those were the basic pointers about using Zoom. However, you must know a few tips and tricks so you can easily breeze through the app. For example, you can set a virtual background for video conferencing. Just click on the “cogwheel” icon and switch to the “Virtual Background” tab. Here, you can choose a background from the given options or add your own custom image or video.

8. In addition, you must know some keyboard shortcuts. Press “Alt + A” to quickly mute and unmute your audio. Next, press “Alt + S” to start and stop screen sharing. Further, press “Alt + Shift + T” to take a screenshot. Apart from these shortcuts, you must know how to quickly turn off/on your video in a web conference. Just press “Alt + V” and you are done.

9. You can enable a lot of third-party plugins including Google Calendar, Office 365, Slack and more. Just switch to the “Chat” menu and click on the “+” button under the “Apps” menu. From here, you can seamlessly integrate your calendar schedules, notifications, office documents and more.

11. Zoom has a feature to enhance your appearance in live video and it works pretty well. Just open the Settings from the cogwheel icon and move to the “Video” tab. Here, enable “Touch up my appearance” and Zoom will soften your skin and also minimize blemishes from your face.

Install Zoom and Bring Life to Virtual World

So that is how you can install and set up Zoom on your computer and smartphone. In this tutorial, I have shown steps for Windows, but the steps are nearly identical for other platforms as well. If you are a heavy user of Zoom then I would suggest you to download the  Zoom client for better controls and features. In case, you are disappointed with this app then you can take a look at Zoom alternatives. Anyway, that is all from us. If you are having any problem while installing Zoom then do let us know in the comment section below. We will definitely try to help you out.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/use-zoom-video-conferencing-like-pro/

Microsoft’s Family Safety Tools Coming to Android, iOS This Year https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/microsoft-family-safety-tools.jpg

Microsoft’s Family Safety tools are a feature-rich set of tools that have been a part of Windows and Xbox for a while. Now, the company has announced that the Microsoft Family Safety tools will be coming to the two most popular smartphone operating systems in the world — iOS and Android.

According to Microsoft’s website, “Microsoft Family Safety empowers families to help protect their loved ones by giving them the tools and insights to start a conversation promoting healthier habits online and in the real world. The new Microsoft Family Safety app is the only app that manages screen time across Windows PCs, Android, and Xbox while also giving you peace of mind when your kids aren’t home.”

With the app, parents will now be able to keep a track of their kids’ browsing activities and screen time without having to always use the Family Safety website. It will also let parents block their kids’ access to risky websites and apps, screen time limits, spending limits, and more. Plus, it will allow parents to track their child’s location while they are on the go, so they can rest assured that their kid has reached their destination on time.

Microsoft also mentioned that even though the app will be available on iOS as well, since Apple locks down its platform, iPhone users will not be able to perform tasks such as setting screen time limitations using the app.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/microsoft-family-safety-tools-android-ios/

BSNL, MTNL, Airtel Extend Prepaid Validity to Comply With TRAI Directive https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/bsnl-mtnl-airtel.jpg

With people struggling to recharge their prepaid mobile connections amidst the coronavirus lockdown, BSNL, MTNL and Airtel have extended the validity of their prepaid packs. The decision is in line with TRAI’s latest directive that made it obligatory for telecom operators to ensure uninterrupted services for all users during the lockdown period. While the State-run companies are extending the validity to April 20, Airtel is only extending it to April 17.

All three companies will also credit an additional Rs. 10 worth of talk-time for customers who run out of balance so as to help them stay connected during this hour of crisis. While BSNL and MTNL have already started notifying its users about the scheme, Airtel says it will start rolling out these benefits in the next 48 hours. In a press release on Tuesday, the company said that its decision will benefit up to 80 million ‘under-privileged’ subscribers.

Union telecom minister, Ravi Shankar Prasad, took to Twitter on Monday to announce that BSNL and MTNL will offer extended connectivity during the lockdown period, saying that it will “enable poor people to make calls for help even if they don’t have any balance left”.

Now @BSNLCorporate & @MTNLOfficial will extend validity period of their pre-paid mobiles upto 20 April 2020 & provide ₹10 of additional talk time even after zero balance.
This will enable poor people make calls for help even if they don’t have any balance left.#21daysLockdown

— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) March 30, 2020

The validity extension is part of the companies’ efforts to comply with TRAI’s new directive that states: “You (telecom companies) are required to take necessary steps as deemed fit including extending the validity period to ensure that all prepaid subscribers can enjoy uninterrupted services during the period of lockdown”. The regulator also sought details from all telecom operators in the country about the steps they’re taking to ensure availability of uninterrupted services during the next few weeks.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/bsnl-mtnl-airtel-validity-extended/

Samsung to Stop LCD Panel Production by 2020 https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Samsung-logo-shutterstock-website.jpg

Samsung will reportedly end the production of LCD panels in South Korea and China. According to Reuters, the South Korean tech giant will stop LCD productions by the end of this year.

The step follows Samsung’s previous announcement of suspending one of its two LCD production lines in South Korea last October due to reduced demand.

The company, however, will fulfill all the current LCD orders by the end of 2020. “We will supply ordered LCDs to our customers by the end of this year without any issues,” a Samsung spokesperson told Reuters.

It is worth noting that Samsung announced its 13.1 trillion won ($10.72 billion) 5-year investment plan to upgrade its LCD production lines in South Korea to focus on the production of Quantum Dot OLED panels last year.

However, the plans regarding the future of its Chinese LCD production lines remain uncertain for now. It is likely that Samsung may utilize its Chinese factories for focusing on Quantum Dot OLED panels to stay ahead of LG.

With Samsung out of the scene, companies like Apple will have to rely on other suppliers for meeting their LCD needs. However, there are reports suggesting that Apple would switch to Mini-LED display for its iPads and MacBooks.

Samsung is not the only company leaving LCD behind in favor of better and much-sophisticated display technologies. One of Samsung’s primary competitors in the display market, LG, has also announced it will stop the production of LCD TV panels to focus on QLED and OLED panels by the end of the year.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/samsung-lcd-panel-production-2020/

Nike, Adidas Offering Premium Workout Apps for Free During Coronavirus Lockdown https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Yoga-workout-shutterstock-website.jpg

With millions of people around the world stuck inside their homes because of the coronavirus pandemic, sports goods manufacturers, Nike and Adidas, have started offering users free access to their premium online workout programs. The companies believe that the initiative will help people continue with their exercise regimens at home as gyms and swimming pools are closed in most places around the world.

Nike, the world’s largest sporting apparel manufacturer, says that its Nike Training Club (NTC) premium subscription will remain free ‘until further notice’, while Adidas is offering free access to its Training and Running apps globally for the next three months.

The Nike Training Club app offers free workouts for everything, including bodyweight-only sessions, yoga classes, targeted training programs and full-equipment home workouts for all fitness levels. According to the company, it is offering NTC premium for free because it wants people to stay healthy and active during the pandemic. In an official press release, Nike said: “Enjoy on-demand class-style workouts, programs, and expert tips on nutrition, sleep, and more with free access to NTC Premium to all Nike Members until further notice”.

As for Adidas, its Running and Training apps are available in 15 different languages and come with specific at-home workouts and nutrition guides. On its website, the company said that the initiative will help people “keep (their) hearts, bodies and minds healthy through activities that can be done at home”. The company also plans to roll out ‘free virtual experiences’ across its social and digital channels over the next few weeks to help its users stay active during the lockdown.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/nike-adidas-premium-workout-apps-free-coronavirus/

Here’s How You Can Book Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Online in India https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/shutterstock_795466444-e1585646969688.jpg

The world is currently battling COVID-19, formally known as the Coronavirus, and if you are unaware, India is on a prolonged 21-day total lockdown to curb the spread of the virus. The number of confirmed cases, however, is still on the rise and one of the major reasons behind it will have to be the lacking COVID-19 testing in the country.

Popular doctor appointment booking service Practo is now looking to change that by making it possible for patients to book COVID-19 tests online. It has partnered with Thyrocare for the launch of this new service, which went live over the weekend. The government of India and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have both authorized this new service.

So, let’s take a quick look at Coronavirus symptoms, pre-requisites, and finally, the steps to book the Coronavirus test online:

Who Should Book Coronavirus Test?

Before we talk about how you can go about the online booking, here are the COVID-19 symptoms (based on the current testing guidelines) that one would be showing:

• high fever,
• cough (sore throat),
• frequent headaches,
• shortness of breath,
• respiratory illness,
• and other breathing difficulties.

You should immediately consult a qualified physician if you or someone you know are seeing any of the aforementioned symptoms.

Pre-requisites for Coronavirus Test

If you’re looking to book a Coronavirus test for yourself or another patient, Practo has listed some pre-requisites that you need to fulfill before you complete the booking:

• valid doctor’s prescription
• Form 44 signed by a qualified physician (Test Requisition Form includes the patient’s travel history and info on whether they’ve been in contact with suspected COVID-19 patients)
• Photo ID card
• A resident of Pune or Mumbai (online booking is only available in two locations at the moment, with plans to expand it to more locations in coming days)

Steps to Book Coronavirus Test Online

1. Open the Practo app and tap the ‘Lab tests at home’ option to see the new COVID-19 test booking (a sample collection) plastered at the top. You can head to this dedicated COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 Detection Test website set up by Practo as well.

2. Tap the ‘Book Now’ button, as seen above, and fill up all of the patient’s credentials including the name, phone number, address for sample collection, and more. You can then select a suitable time slot for the test.

3. Once you have chosen the time slot, complete the payment (Rs. 4,500) and you’re done booking Coronavirus test for the patient.

A trained lab physician wearing a single-use biohazard suit will arrive at your doorstep at the chosen time slot to collect a throat swab sample. The results will be shared with you, as well as the government, within 48 hours, says the official Practo listing.

I cannot stress this enough but if you, or someone you know, have developed COVID-19 symptoms, then do direct them to self-quarantine, consult a qualified doctor, and book them this test right away.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/how-to-book-coronavirus-covid-19-test-online-india/

How to Enable Apple Music In-App Notifications for New Releases on iPhone and iPad https://beebom.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Feature-3.jpg

As a music lover, I like to keep a tab on the latest albums, EPS, and videos from my favorite artists. Though Apple Music already had the feature to alert users about the latest arrivals, it wasn’t always spot-on. Many a time, it would send out alerts about new albums days or even weeks after their rollout. Thankfully, those days are gone for good! Courtesy the latest update, users can now enable Apple Music in-app notifications for new releases on iPhone and iPad. If keeping a track of the all-new albums also tickles your fancy, follow along to turn on this nifty but quite handy feature!

Enable Apple Music In-App Notifications for New Releases on iOS

With the in-app notifications enabled, the alerts about the latest releases will show up at the top right corner of the Library tab in the Music app. Thus, if any of your favorite artists roll out new albums, you can easily discover them through the notification banner at the top of the Library interface.

1. On your iPhone or iPad, launch the Music app.

2. Now, select the For You tab and then tap on your profile photo at the top right corner.

3. Next up, tap on Notifications.

4. Finally, turn on the switch next to New Music. 

That’s it! Going forward, you will see alerts about the new albums from your favorite artists included in your music library arrive.

One thing worth noting is that even if you haven’t subscribed to ‌Apple Music‌, these alerts will show up on your iOS device’s Lock Screen and Notification Center. If you find them unnecessary, you can turn them off with ease. Just follow the same steps mentioned above and then toggle off the “New Music” switch in the end.

Completely Turn off Music App Notifications on iOS

What if you want to completely disable Music app notifications on your iOS device? Well, you can get it done with ease from the Settings app.

1. Launch the Settings app on your iOS device.

2. Now, tap on Notifications. 

3. Next, tap on Music.

4. Disable the switch next to Allow Notifications. 

Enable/Disable Notifications for Apple Music New Releases

So, that’s the way you can enable or disable notifications for Apple Music new releases on your iOS device. As a user, I find it quite handy – pretty much in line with the time-synced lyrics that’s great for belting out in karaoke style. What do you think of this feature and where do you find Apple’s offering against the top music-streaming apps.

from Beebom https://beebom.com/enable-apple-music-in-app-notifications-new-releases/