New leak shows Galaxy S10 with cryptocurrency wallet

Not much is really kept behind closed doors these days when it comes to new product releases. We keep getting updates on phones that are just about to be released. This time around, we get new details about the Galaxy S10 and one of its new features: a native cryptocurrency wallet. SamMobile shares images from Twitter user Ben Geskin that shows the Samsung Blockchain KeyStore app. It’s described on its splash page as a “secure and convenient place for your cryptocurrency.” It offers users the ability to import currencies such as Ethereum. It also offers biometric authentication for extra security.

According to SamMobile, there would be two parts to this cryptocurrency service. One is a cold wallet for storing digital currencies, public and private keys, and signing private keys for transactions. Another is a crypto wallet to view account information, transfers, and transaction history.

Xiaomi teases its take on the foldable smartphone

The race to release foldable smartphones is on. Xiaomi just teased its take on the technology through a teaser video uploaded on Weibo (the Chinese equivalent to Twitter). It shows Xiaomi’s co-founder and President Lin Bin tinkering around with a double-folding phone. It’s a unique interpretation of the trend, with the sides of the phone folding in and out to switch from a tablet to a more compact smartphone. We don’t have details beyond what’s in the video. The phone, which is an engineering mode, is said to have overcome “a series of technical problems such as flexible folding screen technology, four-wheel drive folding shaft technology, flexible cover technology, and MIUI adaptation.”

There are, of course, obvious weak points to the device. Having it fold on two ends means there are more moving parts that can be damaged. Availability is also an issue, beyond the market Xiaomi caters to. We’re also curious to see if the ends when folded to the back of the device are usable. Xiaomi is known to undercut its competition while offering good value for its devices, so we’re also curious how much this device will cost. Samsung is rumoured to be revealing its foldable phone next month, ahead of Mobile World Congress. Now, we want to see if Xiaomi will try and catch up and release any news at MWC about this phone.

Source: The Verge

Amazon temporarily stops selling Echo Wall Clock over connectivity problems

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Just a little over a month since Amazon started selling its Echo Wall Clock, the company has pulled the product from its site. The reason was that customers were experiencing connectivity issues and some reviews mentioned that it kept losing Wi-Fi connection. Amazon is working on the fix now and intends to start selling the clock again “in the coming weeks.” This clock makes use of a connected Alexa device so you can control it with your voice, letting you do things like set timers and reminders. It can even display timers with LED indicators to let you know how much time you have left. The Echo Wall Clock itself doesn’t have a speaker or mic.

Source: Engadget

HMD releases Android Pie release schedule for Nokia phones

HMD Global has consistently been releasing the latest Android updates for its phones. The company just announced on Twitter which phones will be getting the update. And this batch are promised to receive Android Pie by early Q2 2019, at the latest. Five of the company’s Nokia phones already have the update (Nokia 7 Plus, 6.1, 6.1 Plus, 7.1, and 5.1 Plus), while two of them (Nokia 8 Sirocco and 8) are listed as ongoing. The Nokia 5 and 3.1 Plus are expected to get the update this month. The Nokia 6, 5.1, 3.1, and 2.1 are lined up for a Q1 2019 release, while the Nokia 3 and 1 are expected to get the update in early Q2 of this year. Unfortunately, the Nokia 2 doesn’t seem like it’s getting the update—or at least not in the immediate future. And it must be noted that while roadmaps are a good guide, these aren’t definitive timelines. But things might fare better with HMD as the company has shown it’s kept to its promise.

Source: The Verge