Google Photos is ending its unlimited free storage policy for pictures at high resolution and express resolution starting today, June 1. Launched in May 2015, more than 4 trillion photos have been uploaded to the platform over the last five years.
According to Mashable, the existing high-quality photos and videos are exempt from this and will not count towards the 15GB default storage that comes with a Google account.
The policy change was announced late last year. If you have relied only on Google Photos to back up all your pictures and videos, you will soon need to start worrying about the storage space on your account.
The policy change also means that Google wants more consumers to pay for its storage service. Starting June 1, every Google Photos user will receive just 15GB of storage space for free.
Any media you upload to the service after the first of the month that goes above those free 15GB will require a paid subscription plan. Those subscriptions will start at $1.99 a month for 100GB.
That may sound cheap, but remember, as the photos and videos accumulate as you upload more over time, you'll probably find yourself having to upgrade to a more expensive plan.
So, how do you upload to Google Photos if you haven't yet?
Sign in to your Google account and head over to photos.google.com in your web browser. It's as easy as dragging and dropping your pics and videos right onto the page.
You can also download the Google Photos Mac or PC app and upload photos from your desktop or laptop in the background while you do other things on the computer. Users can download the Google Photos iOS or Android app to easily upload content from their mobile devices and tablets too.
The one exception to the changing Google Photos plans is for existing Google Pixel phones. While future versions of Google's smartphone line will also have to pay for Google Photos storage, the current models will continue to get free unlimited storage, at varying photo quality depending on which phone you own.
Launched in May 2015, more than 4 trillion photos have been uploaded to the platform over the last five years. (Unsplash)
What was the storage policy earlier?
Google offers 15GB of free storage space. This space is divided across Gmail, Google Drive and Photos. Under the previous policy, photos at the high or express resolution, which are both compressed formats, did not account for free storage. This meant one could upload photos for free without worrying about running out of space.
What has changed?
From June 1, these photos will count towards the 15GB free storage space. So if you are uploading photos to your Google account continuously, then you will need to buy some extra storage space.
How much do the storage plans cost?
Google One storage is a paid subscription that will add 100GB or more storage to your account depending on what plan you decide to choose.
The basic plan starts at 100GB which is ₹130 per month or ₹1300 per year. The 200GB plan starts at ₹210 per month. The other plans are 2 TB at ₹650 per month or ₹6,500 per year, 10 TB which is ₹3,250 per month, and 20 TB at ₹6,500 per month, and 30 TB at ₹9,750 per month.
What are some of the alternatives?
Flickr: You can upload, edit and share your photos on Flickr from any device. Its free plan, however, is restricted to just 1,000 photos and videos. Flickr Pro will cost you $5.99/month and offers ad-free and unlimited storage.
Microsoft OneDrive: OneDrive is another cloud storage platform that is available across multiple platforms. If you are an existing Microsoft365 user, you have 1TB (or 100GB) of space at your disposal. If not, you can sign up for OneDrive's Basic 5GB plan for free.
Apple Photos: If you are an iOS or MacOS user, then you're lucky to have the best possible alternative to Google Photos. Every user gets free 5GB of storage on Apple iCloud and you can get 50GB store for as low as Rs75/month. Apple Photos also syncs across devices.
Summer is just around the corner, and along with the warm weather and sunshine comes a boatload of exciting new video game releases to escape the heat with. May was an exciting month for gaming, with plenty of exciting releases and announcements. Now, we are heading into another month of big-name titles, intriguing indie games and (of course) whatever the return of E3 has to offer.
From big-name sequels to brand new experiences, June 2021 has a little something for every type of gamer. Here are 10 of the most noteworthy releases heading your way this June.
Continue scrolling to keep readingClick the button below to start this article in quick view.
Edge of Eternity
Releasing June 8 for PC
An ambitious blend of Japanese and Western RPG styles, Edge of Eternity is a sprawling, Final Fantasy-inspired open-world adventure with a unique grid-based ATB battle system. It also features a beautiful soundtrack composed by Yasunori Mitsuda, the composer behind classic JRPGs like Chrono Trigger and Xenoblade Chronicles. Early Access impressions have been very positive, so fans of the fantasy RPG genre looking for a fresh experience should keep an eye out for the full version of Edge of Eternity.
Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
Releasing June 10 for PlayStation 5
For those who would rather play an updated version of a more familiar JRPG, the PlayStation 5 version of Final Fantasy VII Remake, titled Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, may be more intriguing. Join Cloud, Barrett, Tifa, Aerith and the rest of Avalanche once again as they take on the corrupt power company Shinra in a desperate attempt to save both the city of Midgar as well as the planet itself from Shinra's excessive harvesting of Mako.
Intergrade brings the incredible adventure to the PlayStation 5 with enhanced visuals, a 60 FPS performance mode, a customizable photo mode and immersive haptic feedback provided by the DualSense controller. It also includesEPISODE INTERmission, a brand new experience starring Yuffie from the original FFVII as she sets off on her own adventure through Midgar featuring a new story arc and numerous gameplay additions to set it apart from the main game.
Releasing June 10 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One & PC
Fans of Team NINJA's beloved, incredibly difficult action series Ninja Gaiden rejoice, as the impending release of Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection brings three of Ryu Hayabusa's classic adventures to modern consoles with new features and modes to mix things up for veterans of the series. Featuring Ninja Gaiden Sigma, Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 and Ninja Gaiden 3, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection also includes the ability to select from four additional characters besides Ryu Hayabusa.
Players can build a tag team made up of returning characters Ayane, Rachel, Momiji and Kasumi, who can be freely swapped in and out of battle to take advantage of their different playstyles and combat abilities. Plus, with all previous DLC and costumes included, Ninja Gaiden: Master Collection looks like the perfect entry point for anyone who missed out on these classic action games the first time around.
Guilty Gear -STRIVE-
Releasing June 11 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 & PC
The Guilty Gear series has built itself a reputation for containing some of the most critically acclaimed, technical-focused fighting games in the entire genre, with a presence at the Evolution Championship Series since its inception all the way back in 2002. Next month sees the release of Arc System Works' eighth mainline entry, Guilty Gear -STRIVE-, which aims to be a complete reconstruction of the series while also introducing new features like the "Wall Break" ability that allows players to transition between stages mid-battle.
The PlayStation 5's first AAA post-launch exclusive finally arrives this month with Insomniac Games' highly anticipated shooter/platformer Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart. The game sees the return of the beloved Lombax and Robot duo in their first wholly new adventure since 2013's Into the Nexus. Featured prominently in several PlayStation 5 showcase events, Rift Apart looks to take the series' visuals to even greater heights while harnessing the power of Sony's next-gen console to allow for instantaneous world-to-world travel via the game's titular inter-dimensional rifts.
The latest entry in the galaxy-hopping shoot 'em up sees Ratchet and Clank team up with a female Lombax named Rivet, who joins them in their fight across dimensions as they try and stop their archenemy Doctor Nefarious from destroying all organic life in the Universe. Using a tool called the Rift Tether, players will be able to jump between worlds at will and solve dimensional puzzles to progress. Rift Apart also features the return of many of the series' beloved weapons, stages and supporting characters, and introduces a host of new (and extremely dangerous) toys to play with and unexplored worlds to discover.
Releasing June 17 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One & PC
Developed in partnership with Richard Garfield, creator of the legendary card trading card game Magic: The Gathering, Roguebook is a roguelike deck builder that challenges players to select a team of heroes and utilize their specific cards and abilities to escape the pages of the sentient and wicked Roguebook. Each hero has a unique 50-card deck, personal relic and dedicated skill tree, and picking the perfect duo is key to defeating the game's 40+ bosses and increasingly difficult challenges.
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance
Releasing June 22 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One & PC
Dungeons & Dragons: Dark Alliance is a third-person action RPG developed by Tuque Games and based on the Dungeons & Dragons tabletop game. It's also the spiritual successor to the classic hack-and-slash games Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance and its sequel. The new Dark Alliance will feature characters from The Legend of Drizzt novels by author R. A. Salvatore, allowing players to experience the story alone or with up to four friends online while exploring the tundra region of Icewind Dale and experience a new adventure.
There hasn't been a home console version of Mario Golf since 2003's Mario Golf: Toadstool Tour, but that all changes this June when Nintendo's famous plumber and friends finally hit the green once more in Mario Golf: Super Rush for the Nintendo Switch. Super Rush features classic Mario Golf gameplay, with players using each character's special abilities while paying close attention to the shot gauge to sink the ball in fewer strokes than their opponents and finish the course with the lowest score.
Super Rush includes several new modes. Speed Golf sees players each golfing simultaneously on the same course, requiring them to run to their ball after every shot while contending with each other and the numerous obstacles along the way. Battle Golf, on the other hand, also takes place at the same time, but in a special arena where players have to sink three shots into any of the nine open holes on the field. Finally, one of the most exciting new features is the Golf Adventure story mode that features RPG elements and sees player-controlled Miis become students at a country club, where they gain experience and compete against other members of the Mushroom Kingdom.
Releasing June 25 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One & PC
Described by developer Bandai Namco as "future brain punk," Scarlet Nexus is a highly stylized third-person action RPG created by the minds behind the iconic Tales of Vesperia and inspired by the same beautiful anime-esque visuals and storytelling elements. Featuring dual protagonists Yuito Sumeragi and Kasane Randall, their storylines weave in and out of one another before eventually combining to reveal the true story behind the game's bleak dystopian future.
A third-person action game with RPG elements, Scarlet Nexus puts players in control of one of the two Other Suppression Force recruits tasked with protecting humanity from an invasion by mindless monsters called Others. Yuito and Kasane are capable of wielding both close-ranged melee weapons like swords and katanas, as well as psychokinetic abilities that allow them to throw objects and enemies around the battlefield at ease. Players can upgrade and customize their abilities using a skill tree called the Brain Map, and can also learn new ones by recruiting party members and adopting their skills via Brain Link.
Scarlet Nexus looks to be a must-play for both action RPG aficionados as well as anime fans -- there's even an anime adaption from studio Sunrise scheduled to release this summer.
The sixth entry in Nippon Ichi Software's tactical RPG series, Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is a Switch-exclusive adventure that follows a zombie named Zed and his little zombie sister Bieko, where they live out a meager existence in the depths of the Netherworld. However, when the God of Destruction threatens their home, Zed harnesses his Super Reincarnation ability to oppose this new danger and unite the quirky yet powerful denizens of the Netherworld.
Featuring the same visual novel-like storytelling and strategic grid-based RPG battle system, Disgaea 6 introduces new features like Super Reincarnation. This allows Zed to retain his strength even after being defeated and returning to level one, as well as high-speed modes and experience share to further refine the series' beloved and addicting gameplay loop.
Odel Rawda is a writer, video editor, and gamer living in Syracuse, New York. He graduated from Hofstra University in 2011 with a B.A. in Film Studies and Creative Writing, and has been producing video game and entertainment-based content as a freelancer ever since. Odel has also worked on-set for several professional film and television productions as a camera operator, production assistant, and location scout; now, he plays video games and writes about them for CBR. When he's not doing that you can find him binge-watching anime, catching up on the latest manga, or traveling the world with his camera.
Chinese smartphone maker Realme has unveiled a new 5G smartphone and two smart TV models, which it will start selling from June 4.
Realme is the first smartphone company in India that is using Mediatek Dimensity 1200 chipset which supports dual SIM 5G connections at par on both SIM cards, peak data download speed of up to 4.7 gigabit per second on the device etc.
"...Launching realme X7 Max 5G is yet another feather in the cap, which is India's first Mediatek Dimensity 1200 powered 5G smartphone. The MediaTek Dimensity 1200 in Realme X7 Max 5G will provide a far advanced dual 5G experience to our users," Realme India and Europe CEO Madhav Sheth said while launching the device.
The Realme X7 Max 5G will come in two variants priced at Rs 26,999 and Rs 29,999.
In terms of features, the smartphone is equipped with FHD+ Super AMOLED display, which refreshes at 120Hz and supports a touch sampling rate of 360Hz. The phone comes with a triple camera setup, a 64 MP primary camera with a Sony IMX682 sensor, an 8MP Ultra wide-angle lens and a 2 MP macro lens. The front camera is a 16 MP selfie shooter.
The company also unveiled two smart televisions with 43-inch and 50-inch screen size for Rs 27,999 and Rs 39,999 apiece. Both the products will go on sale on Realme website, Flipkart and company's mainline retail channels from June 4.
Google Photos free storage is coming to an end later today, which means that from beyond midnight tonight (i.e from June 1), any amount of photos stored on Google Photos will count towards the total amount of storage you have available on your Google Drive cloud storage account. For users who have not subscribed for additional cloud storage, this means a 15GB file storage limit – and given that many users may have stored full size, high resolution photo files on Google Photos, this can spell trouble and chaos. In this situation, if you do not wish to pay for extra cloud storage and also don’t have the bandwidth to store all your files locally on an offline SSD or HDD (or even your phone’s flash storage), Degoo might be a surprisingly little known, but nifty choice to make.
Degoo: What is it, and storage sizes
Degoo is an interesting alternative to Google Photos, which offers a pretty smooth and functional platform for all smartphone photographers, without making things complicated. However, the one thing that it is particularly known for is its generous amounts of storage. At present, Degoo offers three tiers of membership for users –
Free: 100GB storage, 5GB bonus per referral, 500GB total bonus, end to end encryption
Pro: 500GB storage, 10GB bonus per referral, 1TB total bonus, no ads
Ultimate: 10TB storage, 10GB bonus per referral, 1TB total bonus, no ads, storage maximiser
As a result, Degoo is clearly defined as a cloud storage platform that aims to be a potential alternative to the most popular integrated file storage platforms such as Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive or Dropbox. However, there are a number of key points that numerous users have raised over time criticising the platform. With mixed views about the platform in space, here’s what you need to know before choosing it for storing your photos.
Issues with ads, security, reliability, customer support
The biggest criticism against Degoo is the level of ads served on the platform, as well as security of files stored on the platform. While 100GB free storage is definitely an attractive proposition, many users have posted across various forums regarding a ridiculously heavy amount of ads being served on the platform. Users have also spoken about how the ad-supported model makes the mobile apps not so friendly to use.
The bigger issue, however, is the security of storing files. With the free tier, users have complained about how numerous photos and video files are removed regularly, without any real prompt. The apparent reason behind this is to prevent copyrighted content from being stored on personal user accounts, but users have regularly written about how even content that are not copyrighted have been often removed from the platform. This makes it a highly inconsistent platform to use, which means that even with 100GB of absolutely free cloud storage being an attractive advertisement, Degoo can hardly be considered reliable.
This is only made worse because of rather underwhelming customer support on offer at Degoo, and most users have stated that despite multiple complaints, most content removals remain unanswered by the platform. The free Degoo tier also states that it would remove content after 90 days of inactivity, so reliability and security are both major concerns.
What other platforms should you consider?
All things considered, if you want a dedicated online storage platform for all your photos, there are a number of viable platforms for you to consider. On this note, do keep in mind that if you are only looking for free options, getting a better deal beyond Degoo is difficult. However, free services will always come with compromises, particularly on the security front – something that you likely wouldn’t want for your photos and videos.
Given that you are already invested in the Google ecosystem (if you’re using Google Photos), one of the most hassle free things to do would be to expand your Google Drive storage – via the Google One subscription plan. Plans start from Rs 130 per month or Rs 1,300 per year for 100GB storage, while the optimal 2TB storage plan for regular photographers costs Rs 650 per month (or Rs 6,500 per year). The Google One subscription will also give you bundled access to YouTube Premium.
Microsoft’s OneDrive offers a 100GB storage-only OneDrive subscription that costs Rs 140 per month. You can get 1TB cloud storage for Rs 4,899 per year, which comes with bundled access to Microsoft Office, auto-sync from PC or Mac, auto-backup of photos from phones, instant access cloud storage files and all other auxiliary benefits that Microsoft has on offer.
Among alternate platforms, pCloud is one of the safest cloud storage platforms that you can subscribe to. There are two storage tiers on offer with pCloud, both of which can be subscribed on annual basis. The pCloud Premium plan gives 500GB cloud storage for about Rs 3,500 (it’s on sale right now), and the pCloud Premium Plus plan offers 2TB storage for Rs 7,000 a year, meaning that its prices are almost comparable with Google’s offerings.
Homegrown telecom company, Reliance Jio, has partnered with Japanese gaming giant SEGA, to bring the company’s Jio Games Store. The partnership will allow users to download SEGA’s games in India, through Jio’s set-top-boxes (STB), smartphones and other devices. The partnership was confirmed by the Japanese company in its home country late last week.
At the moment, the company will offer two of its games — Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Streets of Rage 3. The gaming giant also said that it will be in charge of customizing the supported platform, localizing languages for the two titles, and incorporating them into the required systems. The company said Jio will distribute the game in India through its set-top-boxes and these will be the first SEGA games available in Hindi and Tamil. JioFiber users will get first access to the games.
Both Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and Streets of Rage are meant for devices that don’t have much processing power, so it’s likely that they’ll be coming to phones like the Jiophone. Smartphone games like PUBG Mobile, etc. use much more processing power and are meant for full-fledged smartphones.
The Mukesh Ambani-owned company is perhaps the largest Indian gaming company to announce a global partnership so far. With 2020 driving people indoors, the mobile gaming market in India has seen a big boom. The country accounted for 17% of worldwide downloads of mobile games in the first nine months of last year, with 7.3 billion total installs, according to data from Sensor Tower.
As reported earlier by Mint, this has led many global firms to seek partnerships with Indian companies. Digital entertainment firm, Jetsynthesys had announced a partnership with Square Enix, another Japanese gaming giant, in February, to launch a mobile game called Ludo Zenith.
On the other hand, companies like Games 24x7, GameZop and Delhi-based WinZo Games have all announced plans to enter Western markets. “We expect 30% of the new partnerships to come from markets outside India," Yashash Agarwal, CEO and co-founder of Gamezop, told Mint in February.
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Xiaomi has unveiled its fastest-ever charging solution. The company has announced its HyperCharge tech, which is currently the fastest in the industry. Xiaomi claims that its new fast-charging solution can charge a device from zero to 100 per cent within eight minutes. The charging tech can also wirelessly charge a device at 120W within 15 minutes. It showed a demo of its charging solution using a custom-built Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro. The device has a 4000 mAh battery that is claimed to charge within eight minutes using wired charging. Let’s take a look at the new Xiaomi HyperCharge tech announced today.
Xiaomi HyperCharge tech unveiled
Xiaomi has unveiled its new HyperCharge tech for smartphones. The charging solution can charge a 4000 mAh battery within 8 minutes.
The company demoed its fast charging solution using a custom-built Mi 11 Pro. The device has a 4000 mAh battery which was charged from zero to 50 per cent in three minutes. It also claims that the super-fast charging tech charges the device completely within eight minutes using the wired charging solution. HyperCharge can also wirelessly charge a device at 120W. The company claims that the new charging solution can charge a 4000 mAh battery within 15 minutes.
There is no word on the commercial release on the new charging tech. The company had previously unveiled a 120W wired and 80W wireless charging solution. However, we are yet to see a commercially available compatible smartphone with charging speeds. The Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11 Pro, and a few other Redmi K40 series smartphones come with support for 67W wired fast charging support.
Unveiling the fast charging solution does not necessarily mean that Xiaomi will launch a device with a 200W charging support. A lot many factors like safety, thermal management, certification, etc., come into play before making the product commercially available in a country. Even if the company does unveil its new HyperCharge tech, we can expect it to see on premium smartphones later this year or early next year.
What are your thoughts on HyperCharge? Do let us know in the comments below.
Vivo’s former sub-brandiQoo’s upcoming smartphone,iQoo Z3 5G, will be sold viaAmazonin India.
A new microsite of the soon to be launched handset has been spotted on Amazon, confirming some of its specs that it will offer.
As per the Amazon listing, theiQoo Z35G comes powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7685G processor, which was only recently launched. iQoo is touting it to be the first smartphone in the country to be powered by this SoC.
Storage-wise, the iQoo Z3 5G offers at least an 8GB RAM variant. The 8GB RAM is also listed to come with an extended 3GB Virtual RAM.
The company is yet to announce an official launch date of the device, which we expect to be sometime this month. More details about the iQoo Z3 5G are expected to be revealed in the coming days.
From Social
The company has been teasing the upcoming launch of this Z-series smartphone. The iQoo Z3 smartphone launched in China in March this year.
iQoo Z3 5G specifications The iQoo Z3 5G smartphone offers a 6.58-inch full-HD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate. Powered by octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 768G SoC, it offers 8GB of LPDDR4x RAM.
For imaging duties, the iQoo Z3 5G houses a 64MP main camera, an 8MP ultrawide angle lens and a 2MP sensor. On the front, users get a 16MP selfie camera.
Backed by a 4400mAh battery, the iQoo Z3 5G runs on OriginOS for iQoo 1.0, based on Android 11 out of the box.
The price of the iQoo Z3 5G in China was CNY 1,699 (roughly Rs 18,900) and in India too, it is expected to be a mid-range smartphone only.
Realme X7 Max 5G was launched in India on Monday with a MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC and triple rear cameras. The smartphone also comes with a 120Hz Super AMOLED display and supports 50W fast charging. The Realme X7 Max 5G is essentially a rebadged Realme GT Neo that was launched in China in late March. In addition to the new smartphone, Realme launched the Smart TV 4K that comes in 43- and 50-inch screen sizes and supports technologies such as Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. The smart TV comes with a list of connectivity options that include HDMI and USB ports as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Realme X7 Max 5G, Realme Smart TV 4K price in India
Realme X7 Max 5G price in India starts at Rs. 26,999 for the 8GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. There is also a 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option that is priced at Rs. 29,999. The smartphone comes in Asteroid Black, Mercury Silver, and Milky Way colour options and will go on sale from 12pm (noon) on June 4 via Flipkart, Realme.com, and major offline stores. It will also be a part of the company's 'Real Upgrade Programme' under which customers will be able to get the phone for a year at 70 percent of its price and get a chance to upgrade to a new smartphone next year. At its given price, the Realme X7 Max 5G will compete against the likes of the OnePlus Nord and Xiaomi's Mi 11X.
The Realme Smart TV 4K price in India has been set at Rs. 27,999 for the 43-inch variant and Rs. 39,999 for the 50-inch option. The smart TV will be available for purchase from Flipkart, Realme.com, and major retail stores starting 12pm (noon) on June 4.
Realme X7 Max 5G specifications
The dual-SIM (Nano) Realme X7 Max 5G runs on Android 11 with Realme UI 2.0 on top and features a 6.43-inch full-HD+ (1,080x2,400 pixels) Super AMOLED display with a 20:9 aspect ratio, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a 360Hz touch sampling rate. The display also comes with 1,000 nits of peak brightness, 100 percent DCI-P3 colour gamut, and a 91.7 percent screen-to-body ratio. Under the hood, the phone has an octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC, along with up to 12GB of RAM. There is a triple rear camera setup that houses a 64-megapixel primary Sony IMX682 sensor with an f/1.8 lens, along with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide shooter and a 2-megapixel macro shooter.
Realme X7 Max 5G comes with a triple rear camera setup
For selfies and video chats, the Realme X7 Max 5G offers a 16-megapixel selfie camera sensor at the front with an f/2.5 lens.
The Realme X7 Max 5G has up to 256GB of UFS 3.1 storage. Connectivity options include 5G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth v5.1, GPS/ A-GPS, NFC, USB Type-C, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Sensors on board include an accelerometer, ambient light, gyroscope, magnetometer, and a proximity sensor. There is also an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Realme has provided a stainless steel vapour cooling system on the new smartphone that is claimed to have a 42 percent higher strength over a traditional copper vapour cooling system and offer up to 50 percent increased cooling power. The smartphone also comes with Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio support, and has an IPX4 water-resistant build.
The Realme X7 Max 5G packs a 4,500mAh battery that supports 50W SuperDart fast charging. It is bundled with a 65W charger. Besides, the phone measures 158.5x73.3x8.4mm and weighs 179 grams.
Realme Smart TV 4K specifications
The Realme Smart TV 4K runs on Android TV 10 and comes in 43- and 50-inch screen sizes that both feature a resolution of 3,840x2,160 pixels, a 16:9 aspect ratio, and 178-degree of screen viewing angle. The smart TV is powered by a quad-core MediaTek SoC along with 2GB of RAM. It also comes with 16GB of onboard storage. On the audio front, the Realme Smart TV 4K has four speaker units that jointly deliver a total of 24W output. You'll also get Dolby Atmos, Dolby Audio, and DTS HD support. There are quad microphones on the TV that enable hands-free voice controls with Google Assistant support.
Realme has preloaded apps such as Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and YouTube. The smart TV also includes Google Play store and has built-in Chromecast support. Connectivity options on the Realme Smart TV 4K include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v.5.0, Infrared (IR), two HDMI ports, two USB ports, an HDMI ARC port, and a LAN (Ethernet) port. The TV also supports traditional AV connectivity and has an optical audio out port.
The Realme Smart TV 4K is bundled with a Bluetooth-enabled remote control that has four hotkeys for quick access to Amazon Prime Video, Google Assistant, Netflix, and YouTube. The TV measures 960x563x76mm (without stand) and weighs 6.5 kilograms for the 43-inch variant, while the 50-inch model measures 1110x64775mm (without stand) and weighs 9.2 kilograms.
It's an all television spectacular this week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, as we discuss 8K, screen sizes, QLED and mini-LED panels — and offer some buying advice. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Starting June 1, Google will start putting a cap of 15GB for your files across Google Photos, Drive and Gmail. (Photo credit: Pratishtha Nangia/Financial Express)
Starting June 1, the unlimited storage benefit offered by Google Photos will come to an end. The company has restricted the access to unlimited storage feature for backups on Google Photos and put a cap of 15 GB. This means if this limit is exceeded, the additional storage will have to be purchased from the company. To be sure, this memory space has been split between Google Photos, Drive, and Gmail.
What it means?
Starting June 1, Google will start putting a cap of 15GB for your files across Google Photos, Drive and Gmail. Prior to this, there has been no cap as such on file storage across these Google services. It is therefore advised that users who want to stay within the storage limit, should free up some space by tomorrow. All unwanted photos and videos can be deleted. Infact, downloading Google One will also help users identify the storage use and provide different solutions that can free up storage space. The users who have not used their 15GB storage limit as of now will not be impacted on the immediate basis. Once the storage limit begins nearing, Google account users will be getting notifications.
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What to do next? How to backup your data and are there any alternatives?
Having access to Google One can help increase the storage capacity; albeit it comes at monthly and annual subscription fees. Google One prices start from Rs 120 per month where users will get 100GB storage. There are some annual subscriptions where users can pay upto Rs 6,500 a year.
There are also some alternatives that will help users store their images. One of them is Microsoft OneDrive which will provide users storage space along with access to many Microsoft services. OneDrive is free upto 5GB, however, for increased storage capacity (100 GB), users will have to pay Rs 130 per month.
Users can also opt for Amazon Photos that will allow unlimited storage for full-resolution photo storage and five family members can share the services as well. This service also provides many editing, search and sharing features. While the services are easily available to those with Amazon Prime memberships, the storage is limited to 5 GB for non-Prime members.
Apple users, in this case, also make the most of Apple Photos. The seamless service offers powerful AI features, integration across the Apple ecosystem, along with a host of editing tools. The storage is free for up to 5 GB. It is to note that the services are limited to Apple users only and will not work with Android or Windows operating systems.
The cloud storage platform- DropBox can also be used for all kinds of files. The platform features cross-platform compatibility as well as additional features including DropBox Passwords and DropBox Transfers. The alternative is expensive as compared to others as subscription plans start at Rs 720. The free storage can only be accessed up to 2GB.
Google Photos free unlimited storage ends on June 1: What it means, what to do next and how to backup your precious memories - The Financial Express Read More
Scammers are using consumer loathing towards spam email to - send more spam email. As reported by BleepingComputer, a new scam campaign aims to verify if the email the scammers have in their database is valid and active. If they get the needed confirmation, they’ll bombard it with various spam emails.
The campaign is simple in design - the victim will get a basic email with this call to action in it:
“Please confirm your Subscribe (sic) or Unsubscribe. Confirm Subscribe me! Unsubscribe me! Thank you!”
The scammers are betting most victims would press the unsub button. However, whichever option they choose, the same thing will happen. Should they indeed choose to unsub, they’ll trigger the email client to send a new email to multiple addresses, all under the scammers’ control.
Spam scam
The email’s only contents are “Please unsubscribe me from your newsletter,” tricking the victim into believing their efforts are legitimate. In reality, the only thing they’d be doing is confirming to the scammers that the email address is active and in use.
A few days after sending this confirmation, the victim’s inbox will get flooded with spam emails.
BleepingComputer confirmed the authenticity of the campaign by “unsubscribing” using a freshly created email address. “After sending unsubscribe/subscribe responses from the new account, in only a few days our new account became bombarded with spam emails”, the publication wrote.
It was also said that these campaigns aren’t necessarily limited to spam emails - nothing prevents the scammers from deploying phishing or social engineering against the target email, which are usually more dangerous and often more difficult to spot and stop.
Security experts are warning all consumers never to click any links they receive in an email, unless they are absolutely certain of the authenticity of the sender and the legitimacy of the link. No legitimate business will ever send an empty email with just “Subscribe or Unsubscribe” options, and without further explanation.
HomeNewsRealme X7 Max 5G launched in India with Dimensity 1200, 120Hz AMOLED...
Realme X7 Max 5G price in India, specifications, and sale date have been revealed as the phone has been officially launched in the country. The handset will join the existing Realme X7 series phones — the Realme X7 and X7 Pro. It is a rebrand of the Realme GT Neo that launched in China back in March. The Realme X7 Max 5G is the first phone in India to bring the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset. Key Realme X7 Max 5G specs include a 120Hz AMOLED display, 50W fast-charging, Android 11, and a 64MP primary camera.
Realme X7 Max 5G price in India, sale date
Realme X7 Max 5G price in India starts from Rs 26,999 for the 8GB/128GB model and Rs 29,999 for the 12GB/256GB storage version. The phone comes in Mercury Silver and Asteroid Black, with the Milky Way colour option coming soon. It will be on sale via Flipkart and Realme websites. The Realme X7 Max 5G first sale in India is on June 4th at 12 PM.
Under the Real Upgrade Program, you can buy the Realme X7 Max 5G by paying only 70 per cent of the phone’s cost first, while the remaining amount can be paid one year later or you can upgrade to the latest X-series flagship at 70 per cent of the cost. This means you can effectively buy the Realme X7 5G at Rs 18,899 and Rs 20,999, respectively.
Realme X7 Max 5G specifications
Realme X7 Max 5G sports a 6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 360Hz touch sampling rate, 2,400 x 1,080 pixels resolution, 91.7 per cent screen-to-body ratio, 1000nits max brightness. The phone is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC paired with ARM G77 MC9 GPU, up to 12GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage that is further expandable via a microSD card. The device runs on Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0 custom skin on top and it features an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Realme X7 Max specs
6.43-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate
MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC, ARM G77 MC9 GPU
Up to 12GB RAM, 256GB storage
Android 11-based Realme UI 2.0
64MP + 8MP + 2MP triple cameras
16MP selfie camera
4,500mAh battery, 50W fast-charging support
The phone packs a 4,500mAh battery with 50W fast charging support (65W provided in the box) and an in-display fingerprint sensor for security. Connectivity features include 5G, 4G LTE, NFC, Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, GPS, and USB Type-C port for charging and data transfers. It measures 8.4mm in thickness and weighs 179 grams. The Realme X7 Max 5G is equipped with Stainless Steel Vapour Cooling, dual stereo speakers that support Dolby Atmos and Hi-Res audio, and an IPX4 rating for splash resistance.
Moving to optics, Realme X7 Max 5G has triple cameras at the back, consisting of a 64MP (f/1.8 aperture) Sony IMX682 sensor, an 8MP (f/2.3 aperture) ultra-wide-angle lens with 109-degrees FoV, and a 2MP (f/2.4) macro camera. The rear cameras support features such as super night mode, panorama, expert, timelapse, portrait, HDR, AI scene recognition, AI beauty, face distortion correction, and passport photo. It can record 4K videos at 30 and 60fps and there is EIS support. There is a 16MP snapper on the front for selfies and video chats.
The dreaded day for Google Photos users is here. Today, May 31, is the last day of you enjoying free unlimited high-quality storage in Google Photos. Starting tomorrow, June 1, all your high-quality and express-quality images will count towards your free 15GB Google account storage.
Once you reach that 15GB limit, you will have to start deleting some of your photos or other Google Drive content to free up space. Alternatively, you can also purchase a Google One plan to increase your Google account’s storage up to 2TB.
If you are a Google Photos user who will be impacted by the new storage policy, here are some frequently asked questions you may want answers to before the June 1 deadline.
Google Photos storage change: FAQs
What will happen to my photos and videos backed up before June 1?
The good news is that your high-quality and express-quality photos and videos backed up before June 1, 2021, won’t count toward your 15GB Google Account storage. So if you still haven’t backed up some images, now is the time to do so.
What about storage space for original quality photos and videos?
Original quality photos and videos will continue to count toward your Google account storage. Photos backed up in original quality and then compressed to high quality after June 1, 2021, will also count toward your Google account storage.
How do I find out how much storage I have left on my Google account?
How much do Google One plans cost if I have to upgrade my Google account storage?
Google One plan prices vary across different regions. If you’re in the US, Google One plans start at $1.99/month for 100GB of storage. You also have an option to get 200GB storage for $2.99/month or 2TB storage for $9.99/month.
What are some of the best Google Photos alternatives?
There are many good options available if you’re planning to jump ship. Here’s our list of the best Google Photos alternatives you can get.
I am a Pixel owner. Will Google Photos storage changes also apply to me?
If you have a Google Pixel 5 or an earlier device, you’ll continue to receive free unlimited storage for photos and videos backed up from your Pixel devices. Pixel 3 owners can still upload unlimited original quality images to Google Photos through January 31, 2022, when it will switch to unlimited high-quality pictures. Pixel 2 owners have already switched to unlimited high-quality uploads as of January 16, 2021. Those who own the original Pixel will be able to continue uploading at original quality with no limits.
What happens to my photos if I’m over the limit?
If you exceed your 15GB storage quota, it means you’re using more storage space than you have available. Google says if you’re over quota for 24 months, your content may be impacted.
Sony WF-1000XM4 true wireless stereo (TWS) earphones are expected to launch in 2021, and numerous leaks and reveals have thrown light on just what to expect. The Japanese electronics conglomerate's latest true wireless headset is expected to be its most premium and feature-filled yet, and a new leaked promo video reveals the features and specifications that are expected to come with the new earphones. Apart from active noise cancellation and access to Google Assistant, which were present even on the Sony WF-1000XM3, the Sony WF-1000XM4 will have a revamped design and new features such as wireless charging and speak-to-chat, as per the promo video.
The new video, which can be watched below, was posted on the YouTube channel of Sparrows News, which has previously leaked Sony audio products' promo videos including that of the Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones. The video follows numerous leaks that have already shown the design of the Sony WF-1000XM4 earphones and also revealed some of the features and specifications. It confirms the presence of key features including active noise cancellation, wireless charging, and speak-to-chat on the Sony WF-1000XM4.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 are expected to get some big changes in design from the Sony WF-1000XM3, which were launched in India in 2020 for Rs. 19,999. The new earphones are smaller in size, but retain the core features and capabilities, and even add a few new ones. These include wireless charging, a popular feature commonly seen on premium TWS headsets now, as well as a speak-to-chat feature that was introduced with the Sony WH-1000XM4 in late 2020. Speak-to-chat pauses the music and turns on transparency mode on the headset automatically when the user's voice is heard by the headset.
Other notable points shown in the video include a new Sony V1 integrated processor that replaces the QN1e processor on the WF-1000XM3, adaptive sound controls, IPX4 water resistance, and up to 8 hours of battery life on the earpieces, with a total claimed battery life of 24 hours when including the charging case. Sony's 360 Reality Audio sound format will also be supported on the earphones, according to the video.
The Sony WF-1000XM4 will go up against strong competition in the premium true wireless segment, including the ageing but still capable Apple AirPods Pro, Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro and the Jabra Elite 85t. Sony could go with similar pricing for the WF-1000XM3 of around Rs. 20,000 in India, in order to compete against Samsung and Jabra that are priced at under Rs. 20,000.
It's an all television spectacular this week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, as we discuss 8K, screen sizes, QLED and mini-LED panels — and offer some buying advice. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Realme X7 Max 5G is set to launch in India today (May 31) as the company's latest flagship phone. The smartphone will come with MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC and features including a 120Hz Super AMOLED display and triple rear cameras. Alongside the Realme X7 Max 5G, the Realme Smart TV 4K is launching in the country at today's event. The new smart TV is teased to have Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support. The launch event will take place virtually through the company's social media channels.
Realme X7 Max 5G, Realme Smart TV 4K launch in India livestream, timings
The Realme X7 Max 5G and Realme Smart TV 4K launch event will begin at 12:30pm. It will be livestreamed through Realme India's Facebook and YouTube accounts. You can also watch the event directly from the video embedded below.
Realme X7 Max 5G, Realme Smart TV 4K price in India (expected)
Realme X7 Max 5G price in India is yet to be revealed. But nonetheless, the smartphone appears to be a rebranded Realme GT Neo that debuted in China in late March with a price tag of CNY 1,799 (roughly Rs. 20,500) for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage variant. The phone also comes in 8GB RAM + 128GB storage model at CNY 1,999 (roughly Rs. 22,700) and 12GB RAM + 256GB storage option at CNY 2,399 (roughly Rs. 27,300). The Indian variant — the Realme X7 Max 5G — is expected to have prices similar to what the company announced in China for the Realme GT Neo.
On the pricing of the Realme Smart TV 4K, a tipster last week reported that the new smart TV by the Chinese company would be available between Rs. 28,000 and Rs. 30,000 for the 43-inch model and between Rs. 33,000 and Rs. 35,000 for the 50-inch option.
Realme X7 Max 5G specifications (expected)
The Realme X7 Max 5G is teased to have the octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC and feature the Super AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate. It will also come with a 360Hz touch sampling rate and deliver up to 1,000 nits of peak brightness, according to the recent teasers that appeared on the Realme and Flipkart sites. Further, the phone will feature a triple rear camera setup with a 64-megapixel primary Sony IMX682 sensor, along with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide shooter and a 2-megapixel macro shooter. It is also teased to have 50W SuperDart fast charging as well as 8.4mm of thickness and 179 grams of weight.
Considering it as the rebranded Realme GT Neo, the Realme X7 Max 5G could include a 16-megapixel selfie camera sensor, in-display fingerprint sensor, and a 4,500mAh battery. The smartphone is also likely to have Dolby Audio and Hi-Res Audio support, apart from featuring dual stereo speakers.
Realme Smart TV 4K specifications (expected)
The Realme Smart TV 4K is teased to have Ultra-HD HDR screens in 43- and 50-inch sizes. The smart TV will also come with HDR support and include Dolby Vision technology, as per the recent teasers. It is also teased to have Dolby Atmos audio.
In addition to the details available through teasers, the rumour mill has suggested that the Realme Smart TV 4K could come with a quad-core MediaTek SoC and run on Android TV 10. The smart TV is also said to have three HDMI ports and two USB ports. The company is also expected to offer dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5.0.
It's an all television spectacular this week on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast, as we discuss 8K, screen sizes, QLED and mini-LED panels — and offer some buying advice. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever you get your podcasts.
Financial Express is now on Telegram. 
