New year, new Telegram update
Telegram decided to end 2021 by releasing the 12th update of the year. This one was packed with message reactions, message translation, themed QR codes and a hidden text feature. The message reactions work similarly to Facebook Messenger or what WhatsApp is working on. The hidden text formatting is great for hiding spoilers. Select the part of your message and mark it as ‘spoiler’. Your recipient can tap to reveal after you’ve warned them.
Messages also received a dedicated translate feature that does pretty much what it says on the tin. You’ll need to enable the feature in the settings so that when you receive a message in a foreign language, you can translate it directly in-app. For the Telegram die-hards out there, you can now personalise the QR codes of any user with a public username. It also works for channels, bots and groups, so get creative. Finally, there’s a new interactive version for a few of the larger than necessary emojis. Once sent, you can tap on them for a full-screen effect.
Source: Telegram
Xiaomi’s series 12 devices could be a little late
Shortly after the reveal of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chips last year, Xiaomi announced its series 12 devices which include the Xiaomi 12, 12X and 12 Pro. The vanilla and Pro models will feature the new Snapdragon chip while the 12X will get the slightly older Snapdragon 870. The devices were all available in China from 31 December but there hasn’t been any word on a global release just yet.
The company launched its previous flagship, the Mi 11, in late December 2020 in China and followed with a global launch on 8 February 2021. This time around it might take a little longer for the devices to reach foreign shores, according to frequent tipster Mukul Sharma who spoke to MySmartPrice. We’re certainly keen to get our hands on the 12 Pro to see what all the fuss is about the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC and get another taste of that sweet 120W charging.
Source: Android Authority
Samsung’s new TV remote charges with radio waves
CES is always an exciting time in the tech industry. Companies like Samsung love making a big fuss over their latest new tech. This year, that comes in the form of a new smart TV Eco remote. Improving on last years version that could charge with solar power, Samsung has somehow figured out how to use radio waves to charge the remote. This apparently works by “collecting routers’ radio waves and converting them to energy.”
If you find the radio waves are too slow, you can still use indoor or outdoor light or revert back to conventional USB-C charging. Hopefully, this is the next step towards moving away from using batteries. According to Samsung, switching to solar-powered remotes could save the world from using 99 million batteries over seven years.
Source: The Verge
Samsung brings NFTs to your TV
If this is the first time you’re hearing about Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), where were you for the whole of 2021? Unsurprisingly, big brands are jumping on board, the latest of which is Samsung. The company is bringing NFT functionality to its new TV ranges.
The “NFT Aggregation Platform” will be available on the MicroLed, Neo QLED and The Frame models and will allow users to browse and buy NFTs directly from their TVs. As the name suggests, the platform will aggregate NFTs from several marketplaces and will also include relevant info on the artwork, like its creator and blockchain metadata.
If you already own NFTs and one of the new Smart TVs you’ll be able to showcase your collection of apes and, by using Samsung’s “smart calibration” tech, the TV will automatically adjust its settings according to the creator’s instructions to ensure the image is rendered as intended.
Source: Samsung