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Leaks reveal specs and price of Xiaomi Mi Note 2

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Xiaomi Mi Note 2 render

As fascinating as the leaked renders of the Xiaomi Mi Note 2 were earlier this week, they didn’t reveal the information we really cared about, namely the specifications and pricing. Now we have those and more, thanks to presentation slides that spilled.

Take a gander at what we have here:

From what we can decipher, most of the rumored information we’ve compiled a few days ago still hold true.

We can expect Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 821 chipset, along with a 5.7-inch Quad HD AMOLED display and a choice between two memory and storage configurations: 4GB of RAM with 64GB of storage, or 6GB of RAM with 128GB of storage.

The more alluring feature is the inclusion of an iris scanner for unlocking the phone. If this isn’t a clear knock at the discontinued Samsung Galaxy Note 7, we don’t what is. In line with the recently launched Mi 5s series, there should also be a pressure-sensitive screen, akin to what Huawei and Apple have done on their best phones, and an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner on board.

[irp posts=”4798″ name=”Xiaomi Mi 5s and 5s Plus set to challenge iPhone 7 and 7 Plus”]

Finally, it’s all but assured that a dual-camera setup will be in place. According to the slides, one lens has a 23-megapixel sensor behind it, and the other owns a 12-megapixel sensor. We can’t say for certain if the shooting implementation will be like the Redmi Pro or the Mi 5s Plus.

More importantly, the final page gives us a glimpse at how much it may cost. The 4GB RAM setup is tagged with a CNY 2,799 price ($414), and the 6GB RAM config looks to retail for CNY 2,999 ($444).

Xiaomi’s newest flagship will be launched on Tuesday, October 25, but the rumors are adding up to something big — bigger than anything we may see for the rest of the year. And it has to be something special, considering how long it’s been since the original Mi Note’s release in January 2015.

[irp posts=”6977″ name=”Xiaomi Mi Note 2 with dual-curved display to arrive October 25″]

Source: Android Pure

Apps

Instagram is building an AI chatbot

Follows TikTok in doing so

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Do you need an AI chatbot to hold a conversation? Instagram seems to think so. As the world rapidly experiments with developments in AI technology, the platform is reportedly working on a chatbot for its users.

According to Alessandro Paluzzi, a reverse engineer who usually digs up future plans for popular apps, Instagram is working on the AI chatbot feature for a future iteration of the app. Much like other chatbots out in the market today, Instagram’s unnamed bot will enable users to interact with it in casually flowing conversation.

The screenshots obtained by the engineer read that it “answers questions, gives advice.” Additionally, it helps users “find the best way to express [themselves] … [through] writing messages.” From a usability standpoint, the feature can help users craft replies to direct messages. They can also bring the bot into human-to-human conversations by mentioning the bot in the conversation.

To add to the quirkiness, Instagram will supposedly add 30 different personalities to the chatbot. Users can pick and choose which one they like the best. The sneak peek does not reveal any personalities included in the feature. (We’re hoping for a snarky one that judges and critiques posts.)

The feature has no timetable as to its release. However, since TikTok already released its own chatbot for testing, it should stand that Instagram’s feature will come out soon.

SEE ALSO: Instagram is creating a Twitter competitor

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Gaming

ROG Ally greatly improves with new update

Days before official launch

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The ROG Ally has some hefty shoes to fill. Touting an impressive slate of specs, the upcoming handheld console is one of the first true competitors to the dominating Steam Deck. Unfortunately, early reviews revealed a flawed comparison against Valve’s juggernaut of a console. Now, days ahead of its official launch, ASUS is releasing new firmware which drastically improves the console’s performance.

Getting down to the nitty gritty of things, the ROG Ally, in its unpatched version, lacked performance in low-wattage scenarios. Early reviewers found that the console could not keep up with the Steam Deck under such circumstances.

A new update, which started rolling out to early units, started catching up. According to YouTuber Dave2D, the update easily improves the console by 15 to 20 percent better than its initial release. First of all, it brings the ROG Ally almost at par with the Steam Deck in low-wattage scenarios. While the results aren’t as good as the latter device yet, it’s a much better performer compared to the former on day one. ASUS acknowledges that Valve really did its homework in low-wattage scenarios.

More notably, the update dramatically boosts the ROG Ally’s performance in higher wattages. The console is now close behind the Ayaneo 2S, a beefier alternative to the Steam Deck. Before the update, the ROG Ally could barely touch the Steam Deck, let alone the Ayaneo 2S.

ASUS also notes that the update should include improvements for the battery life. The lackluster battery has been a point of contention among all early users.

The ROG Ally is officially launching on June 13 and will start at US$ 699.99.

SEE ALSO: How well do PlayStation games run on the ROG Ally?

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Xiaomi reportedly working on a clamshell phone

Says a new rumor

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In recent years, Motorola and Samsung have proved that the clamshell phone is more than just a resurrected fad. Both companies have developed solid lineups capable of becoming daily drivers. Now, others want to get into the market. Following the footsteps of its contemporaries, Xiaomi is reportedly developing a clamshell phone of its own.

Even before the unannounced clamshell phone, Xiaomi has some experience in the foldable market. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 was quite the impressive powerhouse when it launched last year. The foldable smartphone even bagged the title as the thinnest foldable at the time (before Huawei grabbed the title soon after).

Now, the Chinese company is seemingly tapping into the same lineup for a rumored clamshell phone. According to Weibo leaker Digital Chat Station, the brand is indeed looking at an extremely light version of the vertically folding form factor.

Unfortunately, not much else is known about the upcoming device yet. However, Xiaomi’s supposed entry into the market shouldn’t be a surprise. After all, the brand’s competitors — Huawei and vivo — are already deep inside the clamshell segment. The latter, for example, just released the vivo X Flip, its first device in the vertically folding market. Expect things to heat up in the Chinese foldable market soon.

SEE ALSO: The vivo X Flip is the company’s first vertical-folding smartphone

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