The Techno Lads

PUBG Mobile 0.13.0 Update Expected May 31 With Deathmatch, 'Godzilla' Tie-Up and More

Tencent is reportedly all set to roll out the new 0.13.0 update (stable) for PUBG Mobile tomorrow, May 31, after a protracted beta testing period. As part of the update, the game is expected to get a number of interesting new features, including a 'Deathmatch' mode and a special Godzilla event as part of a tie-up with 'Godzilla 2: King of the Monsters'.

The game is also expected to get the Russian submarine gun called Bizon that's already available in the PC version. Furthermore, there could also be a Terror Fang Kar98k skin, as well as an updated 'Survive Till Dawn' with new zombies instead of Tyrant, G, Licker and Zombie Cop.

Last, but definitely not the least, the Vikendi snow map is said to be finally out of beta, which means it should be available with the incoming update as well.

EA's Apex Legends Is Finally Coming To Mobile & PUBG Mobile Has Something To Worry About

EA's new battle royale title became a breakaway gaming hit of this year. The game quickly became one of the top titles of 2019 by attracting over 50 million players in just a few months' time. Now, the company wants to bring it to mobile devices. Yes, it's finally happening.

In its earnings call, EA noted that “it's in advanced negotiations to bring Apex Legends to China and to mobile.” Unfortunately, they don't have an ETA for the same, but we believe that it'll arrive sooner rather than later. After all, they'd want to continue the momentum of the game and attract some players to take on the likes of PUBG MOBILE and Fortnite

EA didn't confirm whether it's planning to bring the game to both Android or iOS, but we assume the game will arrive on both platforms. It is, however, worth pointing out that the game may arrive first on iOS before making its way to Android. Given the success of Fortnite and PUBG Mobile on mobile platforms, it only makes to sense bring the game to both platforms.

Anyway, let's hope Apex Legends doesn't end up becoming a new found addiction for mobile gamers. Seriously, the last thing we want to see is people getting arested for playing games. But let's face it, PUBG Mobile is going to have some serious competition because a lot of playing ditched PUBG to play Apex Legends when it arrived on PC and consoles earlier this year.

OnePlus 7 Pro Pricing In India Leaked Ahead Of Official Launch

Chinese manufacturer OnePlus is gearing up for the launch of the OnePlus 7 lineup on May 14, 2019, and rumours surrounding the pricing of the smartphone are in full swing. The device will be unveiled at simultaneously occurring events in the United States, United Kingdom and India. A major chunk of all specifications have already been leaked for the same, and as per latest reports, the Indian pricing for the same has been leaked on Twitter.

Sources reveal that the OnePlus 7 Pro will be available in three different variants, and the prices of the same are listed below:

6GB/128GB: INR 49,999 ($723)
8GB/256GB: INR 52,999 ($766)
12GB/256GB: INR 57,999 ($838)

Alleged Chinese Hackers are Hiding Malware in CCleaner, Asus Live Update

A number of cyber-security firms, including Kaspersky, Cisco Talos, Morphisec, Symantec and more, are warning about the increasing number of software supply chain attacks, whereby hackers are breaking into the networks and systems of legitimate developers and hiding malicious code within trusted apps and software.

Kaspersky earlier this year detailed a supply chain attack on the systems of Taiwanese tech giant, ASUS, whereby attackers added malicious code to the Asus Live Update utility.

Another similar attack in 2018 affected Piriform's CCleaner, when security researchers at Cisco Talos and Morphisec discovered that the popular utility was infused with malicious code after hackers broke into Piriform’s London networks by using stolen credentials.

According to security researchers, the aforementioned works are most likely the handiwork of a single group of Chinese-speaking hackers, known variously as Barium, ShadowHammer, ShadowPad, or Wicked Panda, depending on which security firm you ask.

TikTok Ban in India Lifted by Madras High Court

The Madras High Court’s Madurai Bench on Wednesday lifted the ban on popular video music app, TikTok, owned by Chinese company ByteDance, subject to certain conditions. Deciding the case filed by advocate Muthukumar, the bench vacated its interim order of banning the app, subject to conditions that pornographic videos will not be uploaded on it, failing which contempt of court proceedings would begin.

“We are glad about this decision and we believe it is also greatly welcomed by our thriving community in India, who use TikTok as a platform to showcase their creativity,” TikTok said in a statement.

Earlier this month, the high court, on a petition filed by the advocate, issued an interim order to the central government banning downloading of the app in India and restricted the media from telecasting videos taken using the app. The high court had passed an interim order banning the app citing inappropriate and pornographic content.

Tamil Nadu’s Information Technology Minister M. Manikandan had earlier said that the state would write to the central government seeking a ban on the app in India. The high court had appointed leading lawyer Arvind Datar as an independent counsel to the court.

On an appeal filed by the Chinese company, the Supreme Court, on April 22, asked the Madras High Court to decide on TikTok’s plea for interim relief by April 24, failing which the ban imposed on the mobile app will stand lifted. The apex court had refused to pass any order in the matter.

TikTok on Wednesday said it was “committed to continuously enhancing” its safety features. “We are grateful for the opportunity to continue serving our users better. While we’re pleased that our efforts to fight against misuse of the platform has been recognised, the work is never ‘done’ on our end,” TikTok added.

Xiaomi VP Confirms Redmi Phone with Snapdragon 855; Could Come to India as Poco F2

Chinese smartphone manufacturer, Xiaomi, has been rumored to be launching a Redmi series smartphone with a flagship Snapdragon 855. Now, Xiaomi’s VP Lu Weibing has confirmed on Weibo that a Redmi device with a Snapdragon 855 is indeed coming — that’s pretty exciting stuff.

Weibing took to Weibo to confirm the existence of a Snapdragon 855 touting Redmi smartphone in a post, and even said that it’ll be a device “worth waiting for” (we’ve translated Weibing’s posts with Google Translate).

While we weren’t really wondering whether a Redmi phone with a Snapdragon 855 would be worth waiting for (it obviously is), Weibing also confirmed a bunch of extra details about the upcoming smartphone. He said that the device will have a “higher screen ratio”, a “better camera”, “longer battery life”, and “stronger performance”.

The part that interests us the most, is that a Redmi smartphone with the Snapdragon 855 might be perfectly suited to be launched as the Poco F2 in India. After all, it does come with the latest flagship processor that Qualcomm has to offer, and we are expecting a higher screen to body ratio on the Poco F2 anyway.

While there’s not a lot of information about the Poco F2 as of now, not reliable information anyway, judging by the Poco F1, and the huge success it has been for the company, it’s obvious that Xiaomi will definitely bring in some improvements to the F1 and make it an even more attractive offering for 2019. We’re expecting RAM and Storage variants of up to 8GB and 256GB, but who knows, maybe Xiaomi surprises us all with a 10GB RAM variant as well. We are also expecting Xiaomi to keep the headphone jack intact on the Poco F2, which would definitely be a welcome move.

So, are you hyped for the Poco F2? I mean, obviously you are, but let us know what you think the spec-sheet will look like, and more importantly, what price are you expecting the phone to be launched at?

Xioami Launches Redmi Y3 and Redmi 7 in India: Starting at 7,999

Following the success of the Redmi Note 7 lineup, Xiaomi has today debuted two new budget smartphones- the selfie-centric Redmi Y3. and all-rounder Redmi 7. The former has been priced starting at Rs. 7,999, whereas the Y3 starts at Rs 9,999.

Xiaomi carries forward its Aura design language to these 2 phones as well. Speaking of the Redmi Y3, it features a 6.26-inch Dot Notch display and is powered by the Snapdragon632 SoC. This is paired with up to 4GB RAM, up to 64GB storage, 4000mAh battery, and Android Pie-based MIUI 10.

The highlight of the Redmi Y3, however, are the cameras. There's a 32MP selfie camera on board with EIS in tow, along with a 12MP+2MP dual-rear camera setup.

The Redmi 7, on the other hand, is basically the same smartphone as Y3 in terms of build, specs, and other features, except for the selfie department. Redmi 7 has an 8MP selfie lens as opposed to the 32MP one on Redmi Y3.

OnePlus 7 series Confirmed To Launch On May 14

Confirming recent rumors, OnePlus has announced that its next flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 7, will be launched on May 14. The company has also revealed that it will be launching the "OnePlus 7 series", confirming the existence of 3 different OnePlus 7 variants: the OnePlus 7, the OnePlus 7 Pro, and the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G.

The company earlier today sent out invites to the launch events that will be held simultaneously at multiple venues around the world.

According to the official invite, the company will host three launch events on May 14, in London, New York and Bangalore, with a fourth event scheduled for Beijing on May 16.

The India event will be held at the Bangalore International Exhibition Centre from 8:15pm IST.

Samsung’s Galaxy Wearable app has been having sign-in problems for days

Users are reporting log-in issues and a white screen of death

The Samsung Galaxy Wearable app has been down for the past several days, with hundreds of users reporting log-in and update issues. The issue affects Samsung Gear and Galaxy Watch Active watches, with the app freezing on a white screen when users attempt to sign in on their phones.

A thread on Samsung’s community forums, which was started last Thursday, now spans 65 pages of users reporting problems with the app. The issue appears to affect several Android devices ranging from Google Pixel phones to the OnePlus 6T, Moto G7, and the Xiaomi Mi 9.

Reviewer Gavin’s Gadgets reports that Samsung is now aware of the issue, and is actively working on a solution.

We’ve reached out to Samsung about the issue and will update if we hear back.