Monthly Archives: May 2015

Samsung Galaxy Camera 2 review

Cameras, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

As smartphones become more like cameras, it was inevitable that eventually, cameras would become more like smartphones.

Samsung’s original Galaxy camera, debuted in 2012, combined a ‘real’ camera – one with a sensor larger than the average smartphone – and a 21x zoom lens with the Android operating system, making for a huge amount of customisation and connectivity options.

Now, Samsung has updated the original Galaxy with the Galaxy Camera 2. It has many of the same specifications as the original, making some tweaks along the way for improved performance. Interestingly, Samsung has also taken the decision to remove 3G capability from the camera, making it less ‘phone-like’ than the original, but it retains Wi-Fi functionality camera 2.
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https://www.techradar.com/reviews/cameras-and-camcorders/cameras/compact-cameras/samsung-galaxy-camera-2-1212956/review

Is Pebble in trouble?

Wearables, , , , , , , ,

Pebble was one of the first smartwatch success stories but that success might be short lived, with the indomitable Apple Watch now on the scene and growing competition from Android Wear, along with various other indie smartwatch projects emerging.

It certainly looks like Pebble might be struggling, as despite raising around $18 million with its Pebble TimeKickstarter the company is reportedly struggling to maintain its growth and has been turned down by Silicon Valley VCs, forcing it to take out a $5 million bank loan and a $5 million line of credit “in order to stay afloat.”

That’s according to unnamed sources close to the company speaking to Tech Crunch, one of which also claimed that many employees weren’t happy with the direction the company was taking.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/wearables/time-might-be-ticking-on-pebble-s-viability-1294524

Samsung Z1 Tizen OS Smartphone: First impressions

Phones, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Samsung has been notoriously known for its affinity with plastic and more plastics over the years. It started off with the entry-level Y an Ace series and from there on it slowly reached up to the flagship Galaxy level. The company may be advocating for innovative but let’s be straight, we expect more from a brand like Samsung. After a brief hiatus, the renowned plastic is back with the emergence of Tizen operating system and first-ever device called Samsung Z1 (it’s nowhere close to Sony’s Z1).

At a time when major phone brands are focused on delivering top-quality products at affordable price point, Samsung has played havoc with the market perception by pricing its entry-level Z1 close to the likes of Asus Zenfone, Android One devices and Xiaomi’s Redmi 1S among others. The biggest takeaway about Z1 is the platform it’s based on and marks the Korean brand’s re-entry into the mobile OS market, after the Bada debacle. Samsung Z1 and Tizen are now amongst us and we tell you whether it’s worth your time or just another phone amidst the crowd.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-s-first-tizen-phone-shows-up-in-the-flesh-1278185

LG G Watch jumps in line as one of the first Android Wear smartwatches

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Update: LG has tweeted a new picture of the LG G Watch (see above) sat on someone’s wrist, giving us a clearer view of the square alternative to the Moto 360. Note the lack of LG branding.

In the same tweet, LG said the wristy device “coming soon”, and we certainly hope that’s the case.

Original story below…

Google just announced its new modified Android WearOS made for  wearables, but LG is already hopping on the platform with its G Watch.

LG announced it’s working closely with Google to produce the G Watch, which it aims to launch by the second quarter of 2014.

Thanks to the similar operating system architecture, LG promised its watch will work with a variety of Android smartphones.

The smartwatch will also operate in a similar fashion the Moto X, requiring users to only say “Okay Google” before asking questions or uttering commands.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/other-devices/lg-announces-the-g-watch-one-of-the-first-android-wear-powered-smartwatches-1234968

Shazam now works on Android Wear as well as the Apple Watch

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Considering Android Wear is closing in on its first birthday party, it’s about time that Shazam updated its app to work on the wearable platform – especially as it already has an Apple Watch app out.

As usual all you need to do is update the app on your smartphone, run a sync with your smartwatch, and you’re ready to go. It uses the mic on your timepiece to listen for songs but your phone does the heavy lifting.

That means your phone needs to be in range of your watch in order to identify songs, otherwise you’re going to be left trying to name that tune using your old-fashioned memory.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/wearables/shazam-now-works-on-android-wear-as-well-as-the-apple-watch-1294661

Bloxels lets you build your own video games one block at a time

Wearables, , , , , , , , ,
Video games on tablets are very popular with just about every age group from grandparents down to kids. One of the most popular games out there is Minecraft because it lets players build anything they want in the digital world with blocks of material. A new game system has debuted that brings that ability to build anything you want to the real world and keeps its digital component as well.

The game is called Bloxels and with this game you can build your game worlds using a square gameboard and colorful blocks on your desk or table in the real world. Once you get the game board built just the way you want it, you align it with the game app using the camera on your tablet and the game board you built is imported into the video game world.
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https://www.slashgear.com/bloxels-lets-you-build-your-own-video-games-one-block-at-a-time-21384651/

iPad

iPad Jumbo: more details on “Pro” model leaked

Tablets, , , , , , , , , ,

Several feature software enhancements for the iPad and new details on the so-called “iPad Pro” appear. One feature update is the long-rumored two-app split screen viewing mode akin to Windows Snap Screen functionality for Windows 8 and Xbox One. This bit of functionality may come to the current line of iPad Air and iPad Mini devices, but could also be limited to the upcoming iPad Pro. Two versions of the iPad pro are said to be in production testing, one code-named J98, the other code-named J99.
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https://www.slashgear.com/ipad-jumbo-more-details-on-pro-model-leaked-21384737/

Oppo-R7-и-R7-Plus1

Oppo officially unveils 5″ R7 and 6″ R7 Plus

Phones, , , , ,

Chinese mobile manufacture Oppo has finally taken sheet off its new flagship smartphones, the R7 and R7 Plus. While the company teased the R7 Plus just a few days ago, the formal announcement in Beijing brings our first look at the R7, along with details and specs for both models. The sleek looking phones both feature metallic, unibody designs, and will be available in shades of silver and gold. The R7 features a 5-inch screen, while the R7 Plus has super-sized to 6 inches, and both phones will come running a modified version of Android Lollipop.
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https://www.slashgear.com/oppo-officially-unveils-5-r7-and-6-r7-plus-20384453/

Galaxy Note 5

Samsung says no July release for Galaxy Note 5

Phones, , , , , , ,

If you’re a fan of Samsung’s Galaxy Note series and were hoping for an early release of this year’s device, it looks like you’re still going to have to wait until September. One might think that with the critical success of the recent Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge that the Korean company would want to move up the release of its larger-screened flagship, but that’s not the case. Samsung’s own President Shin Jong-kyun has stated that the Galaxy Note 5 will be announced in June or July, as has been rumored recently.
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https://www.slashgear.com/samsung-says-no-july-release-for-galaxy-note-5-20384545/

Xiaomi

Xiaomi did something interesting with Snapdragon 810

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you’re a smartphone company that doesn’t make its own mobile processors, you’re at a disadvantage. Xiaomi isn’t at the scale to follow Apple and Samsung and dive into quite silicon yet – though the increasingly popular manufacturer is growing rapidly – but that doesn’t mean the latest Mi Note Pro doesn’t have a performance edge over Snapdragon 810-powered rivals like the HTC One M9. Usually they’re rarer than hen’s teeth in North America, so you can consider me curious when I had the opportunity to do some benchmarking with the fettled phone.
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https://www.slashgear.com/xiaomi-did-something-interesting-with-snapdragon-810-20384475/

Android Wear

Android Wear 5.1.1 update is rolling out now

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Earlier today, certain Android Wear smartwatch owners began receiving updates for their wearable, bringing them up to Android Wear version 5.1.1. Most others still weren’t seeing the update, but more voices were chiming in saying they, too, had gotten the update. This wasn’t a fluke — the update is indeed rolling out as of now, with some lucky LG G Watch and LG G Watch R users being on the receiving end. If you’ve using one of those wearables, take a look — you might have the update, too.
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https://www.slashgear.com/android-wear-5-1-1-update-is-rolling-out-now-19384407/

watch

Apple Watch bands to be available in limited numbers at Apple Stores

Wearables, , , ,

Along with yesterday’s news that the Apple Watch is soon to be available for purchase at Apple’s retail stores — as opposed to display and try-ons only — it sounds like wrist bands for the Watch are also to become available this week. Apple has been limiting Watch and accessories purchases to the online store since launch as part of an effort to give customers the best experience and reduce long lines. Apple Stores are said to have recently received a memo stating that Watch bands are to be available in “limited” numbers.
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https://www.slashgear.com/apple-watch-bands-to-be-available-in-limited-numbers-at-apple-stores-21384671/

Galaxy Note 5

Galaxy Note 5, Project Zen leaked with puzzling details

Phones, , , , , , ,

It’s not unusual for OEMs to venture outside of their comfort zones in search of the perfect pitch. That is especially true for Samsung, who has, at least for the time being, diverged from its usual path with the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. That said, there are some choices that still boggle the mind and confound imagination. Like these new tidbits that are coming about Samsung’s rumored two high end smartphones, particularly the one called Project Zen, the Galaxy Note Edge successor that might not be a successor at all.
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https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-note-5-project-zen-leaked-with-puzzling-details-20384621/

lenovo

Lenovo smartphone numbers not enough for Q4 2014 profits

Wearables, , , , , ,

Many have pointed to the writing on the wall for the PC business, looking towards to smartphones for the future. While that may have been true to some extent for Lenovo, the world’s largest PC maker, it isn’t the complete story. Lenovo has just revealed its report card for the last quarter of 2014 as well as its full year evaluation of that year. And while its smartphone shipments have indeed improved, partly thanks to its acquisition of Motorola, those numbers weren’t enough to save its sinking profits.
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https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-smartphone-numbers-not-enough-for-q4-2014-profits-21384649/

iphone-5c

iPhone 6c leaked at Apple Store

Phones, , , , , , , , ,

A possible mess-up in an early uploading of images to Apple’s store website reveals a new iPhone. This newest iPhone would – more than likely – be called the iPhone 6c, adding a Touch ID sensor to the already colorful iPhone 5c. This previous model replaced the iPhone 4s as the lowest-end iPhone of the bunch, coming with a plastic backing in several bright colors instead of a metal back. The release of the iPhone 5c also effectively ended the reign of the 3.5-inch display on all iPhones.
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https://www.slashgear.com/iphone-6c-leaked-at-apple-store-21384732/

xperia-z4

Xperia Z3+ believed heading to Hong Kong, Taiwan

Phones, , , ,

Sony works in mysterious ways, it seems. Or perhaps it has tired of having some of the worst kept secrets when it came to keeping smartphones under wraps that to is now working double time to keep us confounded and baffled. Whatever its reasons or whatever its plans, Chinese media are now reporting that the Japanese consumer electronics giant will be holding press conferences next week in Hong Kong and Taiwan to unveil the Xperia Z3 Plus or Xperia Z4 or even a new flagship.
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https://www.slashgear.com/xperia-z3-believed-heading-to-hong-kong-taiwan-22384813/

oneplus-one-never-settle

Leaked OnePlus 2 specs reveal another “flagship killer”

Phones, , , , , , , ,

Despite the rather large setback it experienced in India, it seems that there is no stopping OnePlus yet from taking their “Never Settle” motto for another spin. Dubbed the “flagship killer”, at least as far as last year’s generation was concerned, the OnePlus One was a formidable smartphone with a formidable price. And it seems to have a successor already popping up in leaks and benchmarks. And it seems that this OnePlus 2, as it is still currently called, might be worthy of that title as well.

When you say “2015 flagship”, you are, of course, talking about the highest hardware specs available. Based on a Geekbench sighting of a “OnePlus A2001” (the OnePlus One was model A0001), that translates to a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 and 3 GB of RAM. Now the 3 GB RAM might be a no-brainer, but the Snapdragon 810 might be a bit worrying, considering the drama it is involved in.
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https://www.slashgear.com/leaked-oneplus-2-specs-reveal-another-flagship-killer-22384831/

SoundCloud for Apple Watch has arrived

Wearables, , , , , , , ,

Apps for Apple’s newly launched wearable, the Apple Watch, are pouring in. SoundCloud has made sure it is one of the companies getting an app out for the wearable, and as such recently announced the arrival of its own SoundCloud for Apple Watch offering. The app does exactly what you’d expect it to do — allows Apple Watch owners to listen to audio on the platform from their wrist. It works in conjunction with the SoundCloud for iOS app and one’s iPhone.
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https://www.slashgear.com/soundcloud-for-apple-watch-has-arrived-21384773/

Watch

It’s time! Pebble Time ships May 27

Wearables, , , , ,

You might say all the timely puns that you want, but nothing will stopPebble Time from shipping out in time. Or at least that’s the idea. Pebble has just announced the detail that everyone, especially its backers, have been waiting for. The brand new, color-toting Pebble Time smartwatch will officially start shipping 27th May. But don’t get too excited and expect yours to land in just a few days. That’s just the first wave and it might take a while to get them all out to more than 70,000 backers.

Just as the first Pebble was a record breaker in crowdfunding history, so was the latest Pebble Time, netting $20 whopping million when it was only looking for $500,000. It’s actually not that hard to imagine why. Pebble Time is one of the few places where you’ll see e-ink paper display come in color. And in this day and age of smartwatches, it is the only one, or at least one of the extremely few, that works both iOS and Android.
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https://www.slashgear.com/its-time-pebble-time-ships-may-27-22384828/

Apple Watch

The Apple Watch Death Counter is here

Wearables, , , , ,

Apple Watch app Deadline tells its wearer when they’ll die, suggests ways that they might extend their life. Like that episode of The IT Crowd, there are mathematically sound ways in which you can figure out how long you’ll live. There are also ways to extend your expected lifespan, and this Apple Watch app knows those ways. As such, this particular app is very, very popular with new Apple Watch wearers. What better way to fully enjoy your new purchase than to find out when you’re going to die?

The full name of this app is “Deadline – Watch your Life, Make it Count” and it comes with an ominous crow as its very depressing icon. This app does not 100% accurately predict your lifespan, but it does suggest that it’ll get it at least a little bit right.

NOTE: The image above uses the icon from this app, but does not necessarily reflect the presentation of the app as imagined by the developer. In other words – this is just an illustration, the app in the real world looks different.
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https://www.slashgear.com/the-apple-watch-death-counter-is-here-21384756/

 

Blu Studio C

Blu Studio C smartphone sports quad core CPU and Android 5.0

Wearables, , , , , , , , , , , ,

If you are shopping for an unlocked smartphone and you are on a tight budget but want a device with decent specs and nice looks, the new Blu Studio C might be the ticket. This smartphone is offered in five different colors including standard grey and white colors along with bright atomic orange, salmon pink, and mint green colors. The smartphone also has a large 5.0-inch display.

Native resolution for the screen is 720 x 1080 with 293ppi. That’s not the best screen you will find in the smartphone market, but considering that this device sells for $99 unlocked on Amazon right now it’s not a bad screen at all. The processor is a 1.3GHz quad core unit paired with a MALI-400 GPU.
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https://www.slashgear.com/blu-studio-c-smartphone-sports-quad-core-cpu-and-android-5-0-22384835/

Apple Watch

Apple Watch users find latest update is affecting heart rate monitor

Wearables, , , , , , , , ,

On Tuesday of this week, Apple released the first update for Apple Watch, bringing the OS up to version 1.0.1. The patch was intended to improve both Siri and the performance of third-party apps, as well as fix a number of security issues. Unfortunately, the update has also had adverse effects on the Watch’s heart rate sensor for more than a few users. Watch owners on both Apple’s support forums and MacRumors‘ message boards have posted that their heart rate reading are being taken at infrequent intervals, as opposed to every 10 minutes.

The history of heart rate data can be found in iOS’s Health app. The Watch’s default is to check a user’s heart rate every 10 minutes all throughout the day, and more frequently during exercise and workout in order to track in real-time. The users who have been affected by the new bug are noting that readings are very sporadic, sometimes maintaining a schedule of every 10 minutes, and other times there are gaps of an hour or so.
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https://www.slashgear.com/apple-watch-users-find-latest-update-is-affecting-heart-rate-monitor-22384855/

Hands on: Oppo R7 review

Phones, , , , , , ,

Oppo has just announced the R7 Plus – a new phablet for its mid-range device family – but it also comes with news of a sequel to the R5, the Oppo R7.

There was much to like about the Oppo R5, not least the cheap price, but Oppo has built on what it had already achieved and thrown in a few more features to keep you interested.

The R7 comes with a similar design to the R5 but subtle changes all over make it feel like a vast improvement and you notice it a few seconds after picking it up.

There’s a 5-inch 1080p display on the front that looks bright and displays images really well – it’s top notch considering the pricing on the R7.
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https://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/oppo-r7-1294417/review

 

Security flaw makes Apple Watches vulnerable to nimble thieves

Wearables, , , , , , ,

A blogger has discovered what could potentially be a rather serious security flaw with the Apple Watch, with crafty thieves able to trick the wearable into believing it is still being worn by its owner.

The flaw exploits a feature of the Apple Watch that uses sensors to detect when it is being worn on a wrist. When you put on the Apple Watch you enter in your security pin, then as long as the Apple Watch knows it is still in contact with the wrist, you don’t have to enter in the pin again.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/wearables/security-flaw-makes-apple-watches-vulnerable-to-nimble-thieves-1294543

Did Apple just leak the iPhone 6C?

Phones, , , , , , , , ,

The fact that Apple announced an official Lightning dock a couple of days ago wasn’t particularly exciting, but the renderings illustrating it may have revealed more than the Cupertino company wanted to give away.

Click all the way through to the last picture illustrating the dock and you’ll see what looks like an iPhone 5C – only it has a Touch ID button without the square markings in the middle.

Does it mean the iPhone 5C is getting a Touch ID upgrade? Or could it be there’s an iPhone 6C in the pipeline? Perhaps Apple is ready to throw a bone to lovers of 4-inch phones after all.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/did-apple-just-leak-the-iphone-6c-1294609

Fujifilm makes a Polaroid comeback with instant selfie click-and-print cameras

Cameras, , , , ,

Well, we would all agree that Selfies are the flavor of the season, but have pictures clicked through the front camera outnumbered the ones clicked from the rear? Well, if you get to relive the days of Polaroid cameras that can offer instant hard copies of your selfies then you might think you are getting the best of both worlds. And keeping those changes in mind, Fujifilm has introduced the perfect selfie-remedy for smartphone users, who have forgotten the power of digital camera.
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https://www.techradar.com/

A smartwatch battery that lasts 6 months is in the works

Wearables, , , ,

Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek has confirmed his company is working on a better battery, one that will help smartwatches last up to half a year.

In an interview with a Swiss newspaper, Hayek divulged his company is working on a “revolutionary battery” for a new line of smartwatches due out in 2016. The watches’ biggest selling point may be a 6-month battery life.

“Whoever brings a battery for a smartwatch to the market that you don’t need to charge for six months has a competitive advantage,” Hayek said, as reported by Reuters. “We’re working intensively on this problem with our research group Belenos and battery producer Renata.”
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https://www.techradar.com/news/wearables/a-smartwatch-battery-that-lasts-6-months-is-in-the-works-1293068

First-ever Indian branded Chromebook set for launch this week

Computers & IT, , ,

India is set to get its first tryst with a Chromebook and what’s more this Chromebook is made specifically keeping in mind the needs of this market. Google partnered with a local brand to come up with Chromebook and the laurels have gone the way of Xolo. As reported earlier this year, Xolo was chosen by Google to become its latest Chromebook partner along with other global players and finally reports emerging from industry have talked up the launch of the same later this week. Google is hosting a product-centric event on 15 May and in all probability, we expect to catch glimpse of the first Indian brand to make Chromebooks.
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https://www.techradar.com/

Sony invests $645M in Olympus to become largest shareholder

Phones, , , , , , , , , ,

Despite its own well documented financial woes, Sony has coughed up $645 million (UK£400,AU$621) to become the largest shareholder in Olympus.

The deal will give Sony a 51 per cent stake in a newly created medical company, whereas Olympus will maintain 49 per cent of the pie.

Although the investment is less about Sony wanting a slice of Olympus’ digital imaging expertise and more about taking a foothold in the medical supplies business, where Olympus is a big player, the two companies will also likely work together on imaging products.

“By combining the know-how and products Olympus has developed in its medical business with Sony’s strengths in audio visual solutions, the two companies aim to establish a comprehensive systems integration business that offers high value-added solutions for operating rooms and other medical arenas,” the new best friends said in a joint statement.
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https://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/sony-invests-645m-in-olympus-to-become-largest-shareholder-1100625

Apple Debuts New 15-Inch MacBook Pro With Force Touch In India

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Apple today updated the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display with the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage, longer battery life and faster discrete graphics, delivering even more performance and capabilities to the MacBook Pro line. Apple also today introduced a new Rs 159,900 configuration of the 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K display featuring a 14.7 million pixel display, quad-core processors and AMD graphics.

“The response to the new MacBook and updated 13-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display has been amazing, and today we are thrilled to bring the new Force Touch trackpad, faster flash storage and longer battery life to the 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display,” said Philip Schiller, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing. “Customers love the groundbreaking iMac with Retina 5K display, and now with a new lower starting price, even more people can experience the best desktop we’ve ever made.”
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https://www.techradar.com/in/news/computing-components/peripherals/apple-s-magic-mouse-will-soon-benefit-from-force-touch-wizardry-1318402