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Redmi 9, 9A, 9C budget family now official

Because three is better than one!

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We’ve already shown you how you can maximize your budget phone. Those exact same methods apply to all three of these new budget smartphones — the Redmi 9, 9A, and 9C.

We’re just going to do a quick rundown here.

Redmi 9

This is a budget smartphone equipped with a quad-camera setup. That’s shooting versatility for less. Whether you’re looking to take a quick snap, wide-angle group shot, close-up with stunning details, or beautiful portrait photos, Redmi 9 has you covered.

It has a 6.53’’ FHD+ Dot Drop display with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light certification and Corning  Gorilla Glass for on-the-go protection.

Inside it’s powered by a MediaTek Helio G80 SoC. It has a 5020mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

You also get your usual ports and connections:a 3.5mm headphone jack, IR blaster, multifunctional NFC, while supporting dual SIM usage and an additional microSD card slot.

The Redmi 9 is available in the Philippines and comes in Carbon Grey, Ocean Green and Sunset Purple. Pricing are as follows:

  • 3GB+32GB — PhP 6990
  • 4GB+64GB — PhP 7490

They are available for offline purchase at official Mi Stores, as well as Xiaomi’s authorized offline retailers and the Xiaomi Official Store on Lazada.

Redmi 9A

If a huge display with a big battery for less is your jam then you might want to rock with the Redmi 9A.

It has a 6.53” Dot Drop display with 5000mAh battery. Elsewhere on the phone you get the MediaTek Helio G25 chip and a 13MP rear camera.

It’s available in The Philippines with one variant, 2GB+32GB, in Granite Gray, Peacock Green and Sky Blue. Priced a PhP 4,690.

The device is available for purchase from at official Mi Stores, as well as through Xiaomi Flagship Store on Lazada and Xiaomi Global Store on Shopee.

The model will also be available for purchase from July 21 via Xiaomi’s authorized offline retailers.

Redmi 9C 

The Redmi 9C hits much of the same beats as the 9A with a similar 6.53” Dot Drop display with a 5000mAh battery. Inside, it’s powered by a MediaTek Helio G35 chip.

It comes in three colors: Midnight Gray, Sunrise Orange, and Twilight Blue. Global pricing are as follows:

  • 2GB+32GB — EUR 119
  • 3GB+64GB — EUR 139

For distance learning

It’s interesting to note that all three fall within the minimum spec requirements laid out by the Philippines’ Education Department. Despite common sense and on the ground knowledge dictating that it’s best to skip the school year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, they are still bullish about pushing through with it.

So, if you’re a parent and want to arm your child with a basic smartphone to help, all three of the mentioned phones will suffice. For reference, here are the minimum requirements.

Distance Learning, Smartphone Minimum Tech Specs

Processor

Octa-core 2 GHz

Memory

2GB

Display

6”, IPS LCD

Storage

32GB

Network

GSM / HSPA / LTE

Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n

Bluetooth

Ports

Micro USB or Type C, 3.5mm Audio Jack

OS

Android 8.1

 

News

Samsung invites iPhone users to ‘install’ One UI

It’s a virtual try-on

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There are a few things more difficult than getting an iPhone user to try Android and vice versa. In a continued effort to grab some of the market from the other, Samsung has introduced a new way for iPhone users to take a gander at the other side of things.

Simply dubbed Try Galaxy, the new program allows users to virtually try One UI from the comforts of their device. Of course, it won’t replace the iPhone’s iOS software with Samsung’s own. It’s just a small web app.

The tool, installed through a website, simulates One UI 5.1. It includes the system’s suite of apps tailored for Samsung. It can even simulate a message thread and rifling through Samsung’s settings.

Whereas brick-and-mortar Samsung stores offer a way to try devices personally, Try Galaxy makes the process much easier. Unfortunately, pulling a user into another brand rarely relies on the user interface exclusively. If anything, the program might alleviate the worries of those scared to adopt a different system.

That said, Samsung has a very specific target in mind. The program does not work on any other device. Only Apple’s devices can access the new tool. If you try the new tool on, say, a Pixel 6, the website tells you that you’re already on an Android and prompts you to share the link with those who have an iPhone.

SEE ALSO: Samsung defends AI ‘faking’ moon photos

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Gaming

E3 2023 is cancelled

Both in-person and digital

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Throughout the past few months, E3 has suffered through devastating losses. Though the conference was still scheduled to push through later this year, the event’s biggest names — Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox — have pulled out of the event for their own exclusive launches. Now, the death knell is clear: E3 2023 is reportedly cancelled.

First dropped by IGN, the bombshell announcement supposedly comes from a leaked email sent by Entertainment Software Association. The email, which was verified by IGN, states that the event “simply did not garner the sustained interest necessary to execute it in a way that would showcase the size, strength, and impact of our industry.”

Back in February, Nintendo, Sony, and Xbox reportedly pulled out of the event. All three companies were still slated to hold separate events in some form during the conference. However, more recently, Ubisoft also pulled out, holding an in-person event in the Los Angeles area.

Now, it’s clear. A few minutes after IGN dropped the news, E3’s official Twitter account confirmed the news and announced the cancellation of the 2023 conference. Both in-person and digital conferences will no longer push through.

For the past few years, the annual E3 conference seesawed between outright cancellation and exclusively digital programs because of the pandemic. This year was supposed to be the glorious return of the conference to an in-person event. However, with the new digital zeitgeist and an increased interest in smaller events, the writing on the wall is clear: E3 is gone, at least for the time being.

SEE ALSO: Ubisoft pulls out of E3 2023

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Apps

Instagram announces collaborative collections feature

Share memes much more easily

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Though the platform was generally intended to share photos with your friends, Instagram can have its fair share of memes. However, sharing memes on Instagram can be as tedious as passing links from thread to thread. Today, the platform is introducing a better way to share content with one another.

Announced on Twitter, Instagram is launching collaborative collections. Starting today, users can bookmark posts into a new folder that other users can also see.

As with saving posts, the feature is accessible through the bookmark icon on the bottom-right corner of the post. However, users can now create a collaborative collection which can be toggled to allow friends to join and see what you saved. Once added to a collection, your friends can add and remove content from the collection themselves.

It’s not a completely public feature, though. If you share an image from a private account, collaborators must also be following that specific account to see the shared post. Likewise, if the post’s creator deletes the post, it also disappears from the collection. Besides the main feed, Instagram users can also create collaborative collections from chats.

Naturally, the feature has other uses besides sharing memes. Users who are collaborating on a project can also share their ideas and inspirations with one another. For example, a family designing their new home can share their ideas for rooms. A group of friends going on a road trip can share destination ideas.

SEE ALSO: Facebook, Instagram verification badge launches in the US

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