Review: AGM M7 - world’s biggest speaker smartphone

A new company is trying to make space in the smartphone industry, AGM. The brand mainly focuses on developing durable rugged devices, protecting them from every kind of damage in all conditions. Most rugged smartphones have been tested to tough IP68 standards. Last month, the company launched AGM M7, the world’s biggest speaker smartphone.

 

Must see: How to Setup Insignia TV

AGM M7 is a classic smartphone with all the essential features available at a starting range. It is one of the cheapest and elite rugged phones out with a price tag of $99 (approx INR Rs. 75,00). Let’s take a review of the new rugged device.

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Design

The latest M7 member of the AGM family features a bar-shaped design. The smartphone displays a black plastic material body with a LED torch at the upper side. Needless to say, this too is built to face any damage. The phone carries a thin bumper at the sides, enhancing the protection.

Call it old-fashioned but the 21 keys keypad is more styled this time. As mentioned, the phone is water and shock-resistant with an IP68 rating. On the other side, the earth-shaped amplifier is the world’s biggest speaker!

Beneath the speakers is the logo of AGM with a customizable button and Sim card slot at the side. While the bottom is equipped with a 3.5mm audio jack and Type-C charging port.

Display

Above the styled keys, there’s a 2.4-inch tiny touch screen for user interaction. The graphics are not major, but the clarity and brightness are commendable with 240 x 320 pixels resolution. It does not need any shield for protection as the quality is designed to resist any situation.

Processor

It uses a simplified version of Android Oreo that easily supports the small screen, Android 8.1. Under the hood, a Quad-core 1.5 GHz processor-based MediaTek MT6739 powers the device.

The model offers 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage that is enough to manage all pre-installed apps like FB and WhatsApp. There is no option to extend the memory configuration so manage your files accordingly.

Also, there is no kind of app store available so you have to manage some other links to flash any other application. This will be a good choice who use a smartphone for basic use with a touch of smart support.

Camera

Obviously, you don’t expect a good camera quality from these phones. But it is equipped with a 2MP rear camera housed above the speakers. For selfies, the phone has a 0.3MP lens, don’t expect good quality pictures from the smartphone. Also, there is no flash on either side, so let’s just say it’s okay for the day.

Battery

The battery has a capacity of 2,500 mAh, but with the lower software and screen interaction, it can last for up to four days! The removable battery comes with a 5W of adapter.

Additional 

The rugged smartphone supports 4G connectivity that would provide a good speed to the small device. Moreover, users tend to be satisfied with the performance with the support of GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth. Plus, it has the ability to clear all DNS cache by long pressing the * button. On the side, there is a customizable button that perform functions such as open camera, push to talk, turn on/off the torch, and so on.

Conclusion

This smartphone is strong enough at the best possible price providing an exceptional battery backup. The durable handy rugged design provide a strong grip and speakers will blow any smartphone away. But the camera and storage are the concerning factors. AGM M7 is ideal for those who are looking for a less digital and more simple smartphone.

Tap on the button to head to the picture gallery of the decent embedded smartphone.

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Review: AGM M7 - world’s biggest speaker smartphone

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Google Photos' New Uploads aren't being Counted against their Quota for Some Users!

With the onset of higher resolution cameras equipped right on our smartphones, clicking photos has transformed from being a vanity fair to a part and parcel of our lives. Therefore, the amount of photos we click on every day and store has also increased many folds. Finding that the physical storage space on their devices was running out, consumers started looking forward to cloud-based options. The most popular cloud-based media backup solution emerged to be Google Photos. Its most special feature was the ability to backup unlimited photos for free (at high quality). However, a few months back, Google announced that they're changing this policy. Starting from 1st June, any new photos uploaded to Google Photos would count towards the user's storage quota. The new policy has since come into effect. However, some users have managed to upload new media to the cloud without it counting towards their storage quota. 

Must See: Google I/O 2021- Google Photos to get new functions

Why new uploads to Photos aren't counting against the storage quota?

A few users have reported that they're able to upload GBs worth of new media (after 1st June), which didn't add up to their existing 15GB of free storage. When Android Police reached out to Google for an explanation, Google said that the new policy is being gradually rolled out. Therefore, some users can still upload new data freely as the new policy hasn't been enforced on their accounts yet. However, it's not garden and roses forever as the policy will be eventually rolled out to all the accounts. 

Google also mentioned that there could be a processing lag when it comes to the new uploads. As a result, the newly acquired storage isn't being reflected immediately. The storage quota will be updated eventually once the processing is complete. Hence, due to one of the two aforementioned reasons, users might be tricked into thinking that they are exempted from the policy. The only consumers exempted are eligible Pixel owners. Do let us know if you faced this scenario in the comments. 

Related: Google brings the new Material You design to the Google Photos app

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Asus will commence Android 12 Beta update program once Google releases Stable build

At the latest Google I/O, Google finally revealed Android 12 to the world. With Android 12, Google has majorly re-designed the look and feel of Android. Google has also focused and doubled down on the privacy aspects with the latest Android version. Like every year, a list of Android smartphones from various brands was announced to get the Android 12 Beta. The first to get Android 12 are Google's own Pixel devices. Brands like Samsung have already started work on Android 12 for its devices. Now, Asus has also commented on the availability of Android 12.

Must See: Asus ZenFone 8 new update brings VoLTE and VoWiFi across several carriers and countries [30.11.51.67]

When will Asus release ZenUI Based Android 12 Beta?

According to the latest reports, Asus has said that they intend to release Android 12 Beta for the Zenfone 8 after Google releases the stable Android 12 update. To recall, Google recently released Android 12 Beta-2. Asus ships devices with its own ZenUI skin. ZenUI gives a close-to-stock Android feel with some improvements and added features.

When a user in the Asus Community forums asked the brand about its plan for the Android 12 release for Asus Zenfone 8, a forum admin replied:

We do not actively maintain Android 12 AOSP Beta – as it is a developer program to enable developers with Zenfone 8 an early access to the Android 12 level APIs. ZenUI Android 12 Beta for Zenfone 8 will start at a later date once the Android 12 reaches final release.

Therefore, Asus plans to directly release a ZenUI based Android 12 beta for its consumers. This ZenUI based Android 12 Beta will begin after Google releases the stable Android 12 update. The admin also suggests that users who are capable can try Android 12 AOSP Beta using GSI and DU Loader. However, flashing a GSI via DU Loader requires unlocking the bootloader. Hence, the GSI option isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Hence Asus Zenfone 8 owners are advised to patiently wait for the Android 12. While the brand didn't comment on an exact date, they did provide us with a timeframe for the beta update. Do let us know what are your thoughts on a ZenUI based Android 12 update in the comments.

(via)

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Android 11 based Realme UI 2.0 early access beta program available for Realme 5 Pro

After the launch of Realme UI 2.0, the early Realme device users are waiting for the update to hit their device. The update is currently available for the recent devices, but older devices have to wait for it. Surprisingly, there is some good news for Realme 5 Pro users as they can now access the Realme UI 2.0 beta on their devices.



The program is launched as an early access program for those who want to taste the new Realme UI 2.0. It is a beta program based on Android 11 which brings the best that Android has to offer. The early access program is currently available for India and China only, it may launch for other regions in the future.

If you want to experience the new Realme UI 2.0, you also enroll in the early access program. Here is how you can do it.

How to apply for Realme UI 2.0 early access update

1. First, make sure you have the correct model number, the update is for RMX1971EX_11_C.14 in India. Users should have at least 5 GB of storage available for the update.


2. On your device open the Settings app and navigate to software update. You will find a settings icon on the top right corner of the page. Click on the Settings icon and you will find the trial version over there. Select open beta and apply for the program, you have to fill in the required details also.

We hope after performing the above steps you receive the Realme UI 2.0 early access beta for Realme 5 Pro.

Related: [Update: January 2021 Security Patch] Realme 5 Pro Update Tracker

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Four Samsung devices receive Google's ARCore Certification

Samsung has been on a roll with device launches recently. It launched various devices under its A series along with a few tablets. Some of these devices carried powerful enough hardware for ARCore. However, they were not certified for ARCore at the time of launch, and hence their potential was limited. Users couldn't benefit from the AR Capabilities that their new Galaxy device possessed. This is about to change as 4 new Samsung devices have received an update enabling ARCore. These four devices are- Galaxy A22 5G, Galaxy A72, Galaxy Quantum 2, and Galaxy Tab S7 FE.

Must See: Google ARCore update adds support for Dual-Camera setup

What is ARCore?

To recall, AR stands for Augmented Reality. It allows users to use physical objects in a virtual world thus giving the feeling of mixed reality. It does this by using a combination of camera, motion sensors, etc. ARCore is Google's software development kit that allows for augmented reality applications to be built. It provides developers with various APIs that help them to develop AR-related features.

The ARCore certification is given after testing and checking whether the device meets the hardware and software requirements for a smooth experience. In the testing, the device's camera, processor, and its working with the sensors, and their calibration is checked. This isn't the first time that an Android device is receiving ARCore certification after launch. For example, the OnePlus 9 Pro recently received support for ARCore.

As mentioned earlier, the Galaxy A22 5G, Galaxy A72, Galaxy Quantum 2, and Galaxy Tab S7 FE have officially received the ARCore certification. Look out for an update to enable ARCore on the aforementioned devices. With ARCore coming to these Samsung devices, they'll become compatible with a wide range of AR-related applications and games that are already available on the Play Store. Do let us know what you think about ARCore support for Samsung devices in the comments section.

Related: OnePlus 9 Pro receives Google ARCore support despite no official listing

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Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) bags June 2021 Security Patch

Samsung has massively evolved as a brand in terms of providing software support to their devices. It recently committed to 4 years of support to a range of Galaxy devices. Now, the brand has started rolling out a software update to its 4-year-old mid-range device. The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) has started receiving the June 2021 Security Patch.

Must See: Galaxy J7 Prime receives Android Oreo 8.1 update in India

What's new?

The June 2021 update for Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) is based on Android 9. The new update for J7 comes as firmware version J730GMUBSCCUF3. This update doesn't bring any other changes to the device except the security patch. The June 2021 Security Patch comes with around 4 dozen and 19 fixes from Google and Samsung, respectively. To recall, the device was launched in 2017 with Android Nougat. Since then, the brand has upgraded the device to Android 8, followed by OneUI based Android 9 updates.

Availability and Roll-Out

The update is currently being rolled out in Mexico in batches. J7 owners from Mexico can manually check for the update by navigating to Settings -> Software Update -> Download and install. Users in other regions are requested to patiently wait for the update.

Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) Specifications

The Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) was launched in June 2017. The device is shipped with a 5.5" FHD Super AMOLED display. The smartphone has a screen-to-body ratio of 73.1%. It has a 16:9 aspect ratio. The device is powered by the Octa-Core Exynos 7870 SoC. The processor is built on the 14nm architecture. Graphical duties are handled by the Mali-T830 MP1. Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) sports a single 13MP rear camera and a 13MP front camera for selfies. It is backed up by a 3600 mAh battery. For security, the device possesses a front-mounted fingerprint scanner. Other sensors include an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and a compass. The device was available in four colors - Black, Blue, Gold,  and Rose Gold. The device has a metal back and weighs 181 gm.

Related: Samsung sends Android 11 One UI 3.1 update to Galaxy A51 in the US

 

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Amazfit GTS 2e & GTR 2e gets Alexa support with latest update

At the beginning of this year, Huami debuted the Amazfit GTS 2e and Amazfit GTR 2e. Though the wearables have some extensive features on board, they still miss Amazon's Alexa support. The case is now going to change with a new software update the company is pushing to the smartwatches. After flashing the new build, the user will be able to command Alexa to execute different functions.

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As of now, the latest software update is arriving in India with firmware version 1.0.2.31. The new build will allow its users to connect smartly to their smartwatches. Moreover, with no efforts put in, a single command will answer your question, make a call, send a text, set an alarm, play music, get updates, and a whole lot more.

The smartwatches came pre-installed with an offline voice assistant. However, it only has access to few features that can be controlled through voice commands without internet access. With the new software, the array of features has expanded, allowing more smart handling of the device.

"the much-awaited Alexa for the Amazfit GTS 2e and GTR 2e is now available for users to enjoy voice interaction, play music, provide weather forecast, and lots more. Users were encouraged to update their devices to enjoy the Alexa support." Says Amazfit Team, India.

You can install the fresh build for the GTS 2e and GTR 2e via the official Zepp app. After flashing the update, add Amazon Alexa to your Account Profile. To do this open the Zepp app, go to the Profile > Add Accounts > tap on "Amazon Alexa" > log in with your Amazon account. Lastly, follow the instructions present on-screen to enable Alexa on your device.

Related: Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 receives a new software update

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Moto G Stylus (2021), Moto G Power (2021), Moto G Play (2021), and Motorola One 5G Ace launched officially

The Lenovo-owned Motorola has launched the four new smartphones as refreshed models in the United States. The newly launched devices include Moto G Stylus (2021), Moto G Power (2021), Moto G Play (2021), and Motorola One 5G Ace. Talking about the device’s key specifications, all the smartphones run Android 10 out of the box and are packed with Qualcomm processors. In terms of price, Moto G Stylus (2021) price starts from $299, Moto G Power (2021) carries a starting price of $199.99, Moto G Play (2021) is priced at $169.99, and last but not least, Motorola One 5G Ace’s price starts from $399.99.

Price

• Moto G Stylus (2021) is available only in 4GB RAM + 128GB storage variant and is priced at $299 (Approx. Rs. 21,940).


• Moto G Power (2021) carries a price tag of $199.99 (Approx. Rs. 14,674) for 3GB RAM + 32GB storage variant and $249 (Approx. Rs. 18,271) for 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant.


• Moto G Play (2021) comes only in 3GB RAM + 32GB storage variant and carries a price tag of $169.99 (Approx. Rs. 12,473).


• Motorola One 5G Ace is priced at $399.99 (Approx. Rs. 29,350) for 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant.

Moto G Stylus (2021) specifications

A 6.8-inch full-HD+ display device couples with 1080 x 2400 pixels of resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, and 386ppi pixel density. The comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage capacity. Furthermore, it can be expandable up to 512GB via microSD card. Moreover, the phone is powered by a Qualcomm processor based Snapdragon 678 SoC Chipset.

Coming to the main part – the camera, it houses with a quad rear camera setup that includes 48-megapixel primary sensor, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, 2-megapixel macro sensor, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front, there’s a 16-megapixel camera for selfies and video calling.

Moto G Power (2021) specifications

Moto G Power (2021) sports a 6.6-inch HD+ display with a resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels, 267ppi pixel density, and a 20:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, it is powered by Snapdragon 662 SoC paired with 3/4GB of RAM and 32/64GB of internal storage. Additionally, it can also be expandable up to 512GB with a microSD card.

In-camera department, there’s a triple rear camera setup that assembles with 48-megapixel primary sensor, 2-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. On the front, it houses with an 8-megapixel camera with an aperture of f/2.0.

Moto G Play (2021) specifications

The device features a 6.5-inch HD+ display with 720 x 1600 pixels resolution, 269ppi pixel density, and 20:9 aspect ratio. The phone is powered by Snapdragon 460 SoC Chipset and coupled with Adreno 610 GPU. It comes with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage & 512GB expandable storage (microSD card).

Talking about the camera, it comes with 13-MP (Primary) + 2-MP (depth sensor) dual rear camera. On the front, there’s a 5-megapixel camera with f/2.2 aperture.

Motorola One 5G Ace specifications

It is powered by a Qualcomm processor based Snapdragon 750G 5G SoC Chipset. Motorola One 5G Ace features a 6.7-inch full-HD+ display with 1080 x 2400 pixels resolution and 20:9 aspect ratio. The device is available in two variants – 4GB + 64GB storage and 6GB RAM + 128GB storage.

For photos and videos, there’s a 48-MP + 8-MP + -MP triple rear camera setup. On the front, it packs a 16-MP camera with f/2.2 aperture. Moreover, the device houses with a 5,000mAh battery including 15W charging support.

Moto G Stylus (2021), Moto G Power (2021), Moto G Play (2021), and Motorola One 5G Ace launched officially

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Redmi Note 9T and Redmi 9T launched globally with 6.5″ screens

Xiaomi has globally launched two brand new smartphones named Redmi Note 9T and Redmi 9T. The Redmi Note 9T is the rebrand version of the Redmi Note 9 5G and the Redmi 9T is the rebranded version of Redmi Note 9 4G which was launched in China last month.

Related: Xiaomi Mi 10i with Snapdragon 750G and 108MP camera launched in India.

Redmi Note 9T specifications

The device packs with a 6.53-inch FHD+ punch-hole style display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels and a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, it is powered by an octa-core processor based MediaTek Dimensity 800U SoC. It is available in two variants – 4GB RAM + 64GB storage and 4GB + 128GB storage variant. Furthermore, it can be expandable up to 256GB with a microSD card.

In-camera department, it comes with a triple rear camera setup that assembles with 48-megapixel primary sensor, 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. On the front, there’s a 13-megapixel camera with an f/2.25 lens. The device runs Android 10-based MIUI 12 (Skin) out of the box and equips with a 5,000mAh battery and 18W fast charging support.

The connectivity options of the phone include Wi-Fi, 5G, 4G LTE, GPS/ A-GPS, NFC, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Moreover, here’s also a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The smartphone measures 161.96 x 77.25 x 9.05 mm and weighs nearly 199 grams.

Price and Availability

• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage – EUR 229 ( Approx. Rs. 20,528)


• 4GB RAM + 128GB storage – EUR 269 ( Approx. Rs. 24,128)

The device is available in Nightfall Black and Daybreak Purple color variants. The sale of the smartphone is going to start from January 11 and both the devices will be available at a lower price as an introductory offer.

Redmi 9T specifications

Redmi 9T sports a 6.53-inch full-HD+ display with 1080 x 2340 pixels resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, and a waterdrop-style notch. The phone is powered by an octa-core processor based Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC paired with 4/6GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. Moreover, it can be expandable up to 512GB with a microSD card.

Talking about the camera, it features a quad rear camera that compromises the 48-megapixel primary sensor, 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, 2-megapixel depth sensor, and a 2-megapixel macro lens. For selfies and video calling, there’s an 8-megapixel camera with an f/2.05 lens on top.

The dual-SIM (Nano) Redmi 9T runs Android 10-based MIUI 12 (Skin) out of the box. There’s also a 6,000mAh battery with fast charging support up to 18W. In-connectivity, it comes with Bluetooth 5.0, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, GPS/ A-GPS, USB Type-C, NFC, 3.5 mm audio jack. It also comes with a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The device measures 162.3 x 77.3 x 9.6 mm and weighs 198 grams.

Price and Availability

• 4GB RAM + 64GB storage – EUR 159 ( Approx. Rs. 14,253)


• 4GB RAM + 128GB storage – EUR 189 ( Approx. Rs. 16,942)


• 6GB RAM + 128GB storage – EUR 199 ( Approx. Rs. 17,843)

The device is available in Carbon Gray, Sunrise Orange, Twilight Blue, and Ocean Green colors and the sale of the smartphone is going to start from January 6.

Related: Vivo V20 (2021) quietly launched in India at ₹24,999.

Redmi Note 9T and Redmi 9T launched globally with 6.5″ screens

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