WhatsApp Multi-Device Support May Be Closer to Release

WhatsApp has a massive userbase across the globe and its parent company Facebook has been trying to make it even more feature rich and easy to use. The company has been reportedly testing a...

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WhatsApp Multi-Device Support Closer to Release, Spotted Again in Latest Beta Version: Report *APP_NEWS*

WhatsApp has a massive userbase across the globe and its parent company Facebook has been trying to make it even more feature rich and easy to use. The company has been reportedly testing a multi-device feature that will allow users to have the same WhatsApp account on multiple devices at the same time.

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Facebook Hits Record 3 Billion Monthly Users Amid COVID-19 Pandemic *APP_NEWS*

Facebook is witnessing a massive surge in its userbase owning to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown placed in several countries. The company today announced that for the first time, more than 3 billion people were actively using the company's platforms including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger each month.

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People Are Using Facebook More Than Ever During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Facebook is witnessing a massive surge in its userbase owning to the coronavirus pandemic lockdown placed in several countries. The company today announced that for the first time, more than 3 billion...

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Toy Story 4 Director Reportedly Boards Transformers Animated Movie

The animated Transformers movie is still happening. Paramount Pictures and Transformers owner Hasbro's studio eOne have reportedly signed on Oscar-winning Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley. It will...

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Nintendo Seen Extending Profit Streak as Housebound Consumers Switch On

Nintendo is expected to extend its decade-high earnings streak when it reports fourth-quarter results next week, powered by the hit Switch console which is expanding its reach among locked-down...

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Oyo Said to Offload More Loss-Making Hotels Amid Pandemic *APP_NEWS*

India's Oyo Hotels and Homes, backed by SoftBank Group, plans to offload more properties around the world, three sources familiar with the matter said, as the coronavirus pandemic prompts it to speed up a retreat from a rapid global expansion.

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Oyo Said to Offload More Loss-Making Hotels Amid Pandemic

India's Oyo Hotels and Homes, backed by SoftBank Group, plans to offload more properties around the world, three sources familiar with the matter said, as the coronavirus pandemic prompts it to speed...

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TikTok Tops 2 Billion Downloads, Sees Massive Growth During Pandemic

TikTok, a popular short-video app, has achieved 2 billion downloads via Google Play Store and App Store. According to app intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the first quarter of 2020 has been the best so...

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Indian Arrowverse Fans Left in the Dark as Hooq Shuts Down

The Arrowverse is (partly) gone. Well, sort of. The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow are not available on streaming in India anymore - they were on both Hooq and Disney+ Hotstar, thanks to...

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Mi Note 10 Lite Price, Specifications Tipped Ahead of Today's Launch

Mi Note 10 Lite alleged price and specifications have reportedly leaked ahead of the smartphone's launch today. According to a report, the Mi Note 10 Lite will be powered by Snapdragon 730G SoC,...

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TikTok Tops 2 Billion Downloads, India Accounts for Over 600 Million: Sensor Tower *APP_NEWS*

TikTok, a popular short-video app, has achieved 2 billion downloads via Google Play Store and App Store. According to app intelligence firm Sensor Tower, the first quarter of 2020 has been the best so far for TikTok, as it managed to accumulate 315 million installs.

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Indian DC Fans on Streaming Left in the Dark as Hooq Shuts Down *APP_NEWS*

The Arrowverse is (partly) gone. Well, sort of. The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow are not available on streaming in India anymore — they were on both Hooq and Disney+ Hotstar, thanks to a tie-up between the two — as Hooq has shut down.

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LG Premier Pro Specifications Leaked in Google Play Console Listing

LG Premier Pro Plus (L455DL) specifications have been leaked via Google Play Console listing and the phone's user manual has also been spotted. The latest revelations show that the upcoming LG...

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Redmi Note 9 Specifications, Renders Leaked Ahead of Today's Launch

Redmi Note 9 purported specifications and renders have surfaced online just hours before the official launch where the new phone is speculated to debut.

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Honor 9C, Honor 9A, and Honor 9S Budget Smartphones Launched

Honor has launched three new smartphones, the Honor 9C, Honor 9A, and Honor 9S which will go on sale in Russia starting May 4.

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Tesla Shows Surprise Profit as Musk Urges End to Virus Lock-Down

Tesla reported a surprise first quarter profit Wednesday on higher car production and deliveries as its chief called for an end to "fascist" coronavirus restrictions on people's movements due to the...

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Twitter Opens Up Data of COVID-19 Tweets for Researchers to Study

Twitter will grant researchers and software developers access to a real-time data stream of tens of millions of daily public tweets about COVID-19, which they can use to study the spread of the...

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Microsoft Sees Teams, Xbox Usage Rise Thanks Remote Work and Lockdowns

Microsoft on Wednesday beat Wall Street sales and profit expectations, powered by sharp demand for its Teams chat and online meeting app and Xbox gaming services as the world shifted to working and...

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Microsoft Reports Boost in Teams, Xbox Usage in Q1 Thanks Remote Work and Lockdowns *APP_NEWS*

Microsoft on Wednesday beat Wall Street sales and profit expectations, powered by sharp demand for its Teams chat and online meeting app and Xbox gaming services as the world shifted to working and playing from home because of the novel coronavirus pandemic.

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Facebook Reports 'Signs of Stability' in Ad Spending After Coronavirus Drop

Facebook beat analysts' estimates for quarterly revenue on Wednesday and said it has seen "signs of stability" for sales in April after a plunge in March, in yet another signal that tech giants may...

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Redmi Note 9, Mi Note 10 Lite Expected to Launch Today: Watch Live Stream

Xiaomi is all set to host its global launch event today, wherein it is expected to unveil the Redmi Note 9 and the Mi Note 10 Lite phones. The two phones have leaked on multiple occasions in the past,...

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Apex Legends PS5 upgrade possibly in development android os

Apex Legends is going to look even better!

What you need to know

• Apex Legends is a first-person battle royale shooter.
• The game is PS4 Pro Enhanced already.
• The developer is looking to upgrade the game for next-generation consoles.
• You can download Apex Legends for free through the PlayStation Store.

Apex Legends is a first-person battle royale shooter. The game took the world by storm because it was a stealth release. No one knew it was coming, and only a confusing map was ever leaked.

The game runs at 60 frames per second (FPS) on PS4 Pro, but the resolution is quite low, resulting in blurry image quality. Luckily, it seems like that's going to change when the PS5 launches. According to a report by GamesRadar+, a job listing for developer Respawn Entertainment says that they need a Senior Rendering Engineer to "push next-generation platforms and the PC to their limits on Apex Legends."

This seems to confirm that a next-generation upgrade for Apex Legends is in the works. Hopefully, the team will announce it soon. I hope that Respawn can push the visuals to 4K resolution at all times. We'll keep you posted as soon as we know more.

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Xiaomi May Soon Launch a 65-Inch OLED TV With Dolby Vision HDR

Xiaomi is said to be working on its first ever Dolby Vision capable television, with a new model getting Dolby certification, according to a new report.

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Samsung posts ‘solid’ Q1 results, forecasts weak Q2 profit due to COVID-19 android os

The company's Q1 operating profit increased by KRW 0.2 trillion ($164 million) in Q1 2020.

What you need to know

• Samsung Electronics has announced its Q1 2020 financial results.
• The company reported quarterly operating profit of KRW 6.45 trillion ($5.3 billion) and sales of KRW 55.33 trillion ($45.4 billion).
• It is anticipating a decline in revenue in Q2 2020 as COVID-19 will impact demand for its core products.

Samsung today announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2020. The company reported total revenue of 55.33 trillion ($45.4 billion) during the quarter, 7.6% lower from the previous quarter. When compared to the same period a year earlier, however, revenue rose 5.6% thanks to increased demand for the company's server and mobile components.

Operating profit, on the other hand, came in at KRW 6.45 trillion ($5.3 billion), down by KRW 0.7 trillion compared to the previous quarter. Samsung says the operating profit was affected by weak seasonality for some businesses such as consumer electronics and effects of COVID-19. It expects overall earnings for the second quarter to decline as demand for smartphones and consumer electronics is likely to decrease sharply because of the pandemic.

Samsung's Mobile Communications division posted KRW 26 trillion ($21.3 billion) in revenue and KRW 2.65 trillion ($2.15 billion) in operating profit for the quarter. Even though market demand dipped in the first quarter due to COVID-19, profits increased compared to the same period a year earlier, due to the launch of the Galaxy S20 series and more judicious management of marketing expenses.

In the second quarter, Samsung expects demand for smartphones to drop significantly in most markets due to the impact of COVID-19. The company has also confirmed that it will be launching new foldable and Note phones in the second half of the year to "offer differentiated products in the premium segment." At the same time, it will focus on bringing 5G to the masses and improve its operational efficiency.

Get More Galaxy S20

Samsung Galaxy S20, S20+ & S20 Ultra

From $1,000 at Samsung

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WhatsApp Looks to Enter Lending Market in India: Report

Facebook is reportedly already working on entering the lending space in India. In a regulatory filing, the company has mentioned credit as one of its business plans in India.

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Realme PaySa App to 'Soon' Enable UPI-Based Payments

Realme PaySa, the financial services platform developed by Realme, has been teased to receive Unified Payments Interface (UPI) based payments support.

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Netflix, T-Series Reportedly in Talks to Skip Theatres for Streaming

Netflix is reportedly in final talks with T-Series over a multi-film deal that would bring the latter's upcoming movies - stuck in limbo with theatres shut due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic...

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US Authorities Warn Zoom May be Vulnerable to Foreign Spying: Report

Zoom has grown exponentially over the past few months and this has raised concerns regarding user privacy and security, along with foreign surveillance.

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WhatsApp Looks to Enter Lending Market in India: Report *APP_NEWS*

Facebook is reportedly already working on entering the lending space in India. In a regulatory filing, the company has mentioned credit as one of its business plans in India.

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Realme PaySa Teased to Get UPI-Based Payments Support ‘Soon’ *APP_NEWS*

Realme PaySa, the financial services platform developed by Realme, has been teased to receive Unified Payments Interface (UPI) based payments support.

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Samsung Galaxy A20 Getting Android 10 Update With One UI 2.0: Report

Samsung Galaxy A20 is said to have started receiving the Android 10 update with One UI 2.0 on top. The smartphone was launched in March last year as Samsung's budget offering.

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YouTube Expands Fact-Check Features During COVID-19 Pandemic

YouTube, the video service of Alphabet's Google, said on Tuesday it would start showing text and links from third-party fact-checkers to US viewers, part of efforts to curb misinformation on the site...

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Mi Note 10 Lite Set to Launch on April 30, Xiaomi Reveals

Mi Note 10 Lite will be launched as a part of the Redmi Note 9 series launch event on April 30, Xiaomi has revealed. The company is hosting a global launch event wherein it is expected to introduce...

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Netflix, T-Series in ‘Final’ Talks to Bring Multiple Movies Directly to Streaming: Report *APP_NEWS*

Netflix is reportedly in final talks with T-Series over a multi-film deal that would bring the latter’s upcoming movies — stuck in limbo with theatres shut due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic — directly to streaming. Amitabh Bachchan’s Jhund, Kiara Advani’s Indoo Ki Jawani, and Anurag Basu’s Ludo are in discussion.

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Zoom: US Authorities Reportedly Warn Zoom May be Vulnerable to Foreign Surveillance *APP_NEWS*

Zoom has grown exponentially over the past few months and this has raised concerns regarding user privacy and security, along with foreign surveillance.

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OnePlus Z Tipped to Launch in July

OnePlus Z smartphone has been in the news for some time. It is hinted that OnePlus Z is essentially the rumoured OnePlus 8 Lite that was tipped to be a part of the OnePlus 8 series.

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Oscars Allows Streaming Movies to Qualify Due to Coronavirus Disruptions

Movies that skip the big screen will be allowed to contend for Oscars this year, the Academy said Tuesday in a significant rule change forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

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Samsung Sees Coronavirus Hit Smartphone, TV Sales, Forecasts Q2 Decline

Samsung Electronics said on Wednesday it expected profit to decline in the current quarter due to a coronavirus-related slump in sales of smartphones and TVs, although the chip business would remain...

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YouTube Expands Fact-Check Features to US Video Searches During COVID-19 Pandemic *APP_NEWS*

YouTube, the video service of Alphabet's Google, said on Tuesday it would start showing text and links from third-party fact-checkers to US viewers, part of efforts to curb misinformation on the site during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Oscars Allows Streaming Movies to Qualify Due to Coronavirus Disruptions to Movie Theatres *APP_NEWS*

Movies that skip the big screen will be allowed to contend for Oscars this year, the Academy said Tuesday in a significant rule change forced by the coronavirus pandemic.

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OnePlus 8 Pro, OnePlus 8 Are Now Listed for Pre-Bookings in India

OnePlus 8 Pro and OnePlus 8 pre-bookings have been kicked off in India. The pre-bookings are live through Amazon, with the sale date for both OnePlus 8 phones scheduled for May 11.

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Google Ad Sales Steady After Coronavirus Drop, Warns of Difficult Q2

A drop in Google ad sales steadied in April and some consumers returned to using the search engine for shopping in addition to finding novel coronavirus information, parent Alphabet said on Tuesday.

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Google Parent Alphabet Says Ad Sales Steady After Coronavirus Drop, Warns of Difficult Q2 *APP_NEWS*

A drop in Google ad sales steadied in April and some consumers returned to using the search engine for shopping in addition to finding novel coronavirus information, parent Alphabet said on Tuesday.

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Here's when your Nokia phone will get the Android 10 update android os

Nokia is updating a lot of phones to Android 10 in April.

Nokia's commitment to Android One means all of its phones feature a clean interface with no bloatware. Nokia's devices make up a vast majority of Android One phones, and although one of the benefits of owning an Android One device is fast updates, that hasn't been the case so far.

While Nokia rolled out the Android 10 update to six devices by January 2020, a bulk of its phones are starting to get the update just now. Nokia revised its Android 10 update schedule earlier this year, delaying the update for several phones.

Overall, Nokia is updating 21 devices in its portfolio to Android 10. Here's the status of Nokia's Android 10 rollout:

List of Nokia phones already on Android 10

• Nokia 9 PureView: December 2019
• Nokia 8.1: October 2019
• Nokia 7.1: December 2019
• Nokia 7 Plus: January 2020
• Nokia 6.1: January 2020
• Nokia 6.1 Plus: January 2020
• Nokia 2.2: Rollout started (April 22)
• Nokia 2.3: Rollout started (April 22)
• Nokia 3.2: Rollout started (April 9))
• Nokia 4.2: Rollout started (April 9)
• Nokia 6.2: Rollout started (April 28)
• Nokia 7.2: Rollout started (April 1)
• Nokia 8 Sirocco: Rollout started (April 15)

If you're on the Nokia 2.2, 2.3, 3.2, 4.2, 6.2, or the Nokia 8 Sirocco and don't see the Android 10 update just yet, hold tight. These updates are rolled out in phases, and it usually takes a few weeks for everyone to receive the OTA.

List of Nokia phones waiting to get the Android 10 update

Nokia has committed to delivering the Android 10 update to most of its older devices in Q2 2020 The update should be rolled out to the Nokia 5.1 Plus sometime in May, with other phones in this list set to follow shortly thereafter. There's no tentative timeline just yet, but if the April rollout is any indication, most of the devices on this list should be updated to Android 10 by June:

• Nokia 5.1 Plus
• Nokia 3.1 Plus
• Nokia 2.1
• Nokia 3.1
• Nokia 5.1
• Nokia 1
• Nokia 1 Plus

Nokia had its share of issues during the rollout, with the Android 10 update causing a host of issues on the Nokia 7.1, with basic features like calling and Wi-Fi connectivity disrupted for several users. Nokia 6.1 users also saw Wi-Fi issues after making the switch to Android 10.

And while Nokia has done a decent job delivering platform updates to budget devices in its portfolio, it hasn't been as diligent when it comes to rolling out regular security updates. The manufacturer has committed to delivering quarterly updates for most phones, and although that's still better than most brands, it doesn't quite live up to the promises of Android One.

Still going great

Nokia 7.2

$349 at Amazon

Hitting all the right notes

The Nokia 7.2 has a vibrant 6.3-inch FHD+ panel with HDR, and there's a 48MP camera at the back that takes decent shots. There's also a 3500mAh battery, 20MP front camera, and a 3.5mm jack. The phone is now on Android 10, and continues to get regular updates.

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Daily Coronavirus updates: Facebook rolls out virtual graduation ceremony android os

The coronavirus has spread to 181 countries around the world, and it shows no signs of abating. The pandemic has proved particularly devastating in recent weeks, with total confirmed cases crossing 3.1 million and fatalities of over 217,000 globally.

The virus has effectively shut down all sporting leagues around the world, major gatherings including tech events and music festivals, and closed down restaurants and malls. It has transformed how we live and work, and how we connect with our friends and families. Tech brands are doing their part to assist, with Google teaming up with Apple to build a coronavirus tracking tool.

Here's the latest on the coronavirus and how it's affecting not only the tech industry, but also the world at large.

April 28, 2020: YouTube starts fact checking videos in the U.S., Facebook rolls out a virtual graduation party

• YouTube started fact checking videos in Brazil and India earlier this year, and the video streaming platform is now doing the same in the U.S. to prevent COVID-19 hoaxes.
• Facebook says it will stream a a virtual graduation ceremony to celebrate the class of 2020. The virtual event will feature a commencement address from Oprah Winfrey, and include the likes of Miley Cyrus, Lil Nas X, Awkwafina, and Jennifer Garner. The event kicks off on May 15 at 2pm ET.

April 27, 2020: Global COVID-19 cases inch closer to 3 million

• Global COVID-19 cases saw another surge over the weekend, with 150,000 new confirmed cases. The global tally now stands at 2,982,933, with total fatalities of 206,833. The U.S. has registered 965,933 cases in total, four times as many as Spain.
• Amazon is tackling fraud on its platform by screening third-party sellers via video calls.

April 24, 2020: Samsung and Google provide free phone repair services to frontline workers

• Samsung and Google are teaming up with uBreakiFix to provide free phone repair services for healthcare workers on the front lines. The program will be in effect through June 30, and includes cracked screen issues as well as switching out faulty batteries.

April 22, 2020: Twitter takes action against misleading COVID-19 tweets

• Global COVID-19 cases have crossed 2.6 million, with 74,000 new cases registered in the last 24 hours. With six times as many cases as any other country, the U.S. is in the unwelcome position of being in the lead with 842,000 confirmed cases and over 46,000 fatalities.
• Twitter is now actively removing tweets that make unverified claims around COVID-19. The platform said it removed over 2,230 tweets, and that it will continue to do so if it finds tweets that "incite people to action and cause widespread panic, social unrest or large-scale disorder."

April 21, 2020: IFA 2020 set to go virtual as Germany extends social distancing guidelines

• IFA 2020 is set to take on an "innovative" new format that will likely see the conference go virtual in the wake of the coronavirus. Germany has banned all events with more than 5,000 participants until 24 October, so it is possible the show will go online-only.

April 20, 2020: Facebook rolls out new COVID-19 tool, Amazon goes thermal

• Facebook has unveiled a new tool that provides a county-by-county view of people with possible COVID-19 symptoms. Facebook says the aggregated data will be shared with governments and public health officials, with the social networking site essentially relying on surveys run by Carnegie Mellon.
• Amazon is now using thermal cameras at various warehouses around the U.S. to scan for fevers.
• Google will start showing COVID-19 testing centers in your vicinity directly in search results.

April 17, 2020: COVID-19 cases cross 2 million worldwide

• COVID-19 cases have seen another surge in the last week, with the virus crossing 2 million cases globally. There have been 96,700 new cases in the last 24 hours, with the U.S. seeing 31,500 new infections. The U.S. has 671,500 confirmed cases and 33,286 fatalities, more than any other country.

April 16, 2020: Apple slowly starts reopening its retail stores

• Apple will start reopening stores in select locations around the world, beginning with South Korea. The country has over 10,500 cases of the virus and has fared better than most regions in dealing with the pandemic. There's no mention of when U.S. retail stores will open, but it looks like the company will evaluate the situation in May.

April 15, 2020: Google fights COVID-19 malware, slows hiring

• Google mentioned that it is seeing a surge of malware and phishing emails related to COVID-19, with the search giant noting that the number is as high as 18 million a day. That number doesn't include the 240 million spam messages a day about the virus. Google is relying on its AI smarts to filter out these messages automatically, but you should be more careful than usual when clicking through in an email.
• Google is slowing down hiring and re-evaluating investments in marketing and data centers amid the COVID-19. Google initially planned to hire 20,000 workers over the course of the year, but that won't be the case anymore.

April 14, 2020: Nest reduces quality to ease bandwidth strain, Sony sets up $10 million fund

• In addition to limiting video quality on YouTube, Google announced that it would reduce Nest camera quality to ease the strain on broadband lines.
• Google has confirmed that it will deliver updates to its COVID-19 tracking tool directly from the Play Store.
• Sony announced it is setting up a $10 million fund to assist indie devs impacted by COVID-19. PlayStation is also giving away two free games — Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey — starting April 15.
• Apple is joining Google and Facebook in sharing aggregated data from Apple Maps to allow governments understand how social distancing guidelines are working.

April 13, 2020: Amazon is once again accepting non-essential items

• Amazon is once again accepting shipments of non-essential items into its fulfillment centers. The site saw a huge spike in orders following the start of the outbreak, and it only allowed household goods and medical supplies into its warehouses over the course of the last month. The retailer already hired 100,000 workers to deal with the influx in orders, and is set to hire 75,000 more.
• Microsoft is giving an additional $35 million worth of resources to non-profits on the front lines of COVID-19. The resources include Azure credits, free Windows upgrades, and free training services.

April 11, 2020: Google and Apple introduce coronavirus tracking system

• Google and Apple are working together to assist governments in fighting COVID-19. The solution relies on Bluetooth to track the spread of the pandemic.

April 10, 2020: Amazon sets up COVID-19 testing lab, Microsoft delays Neo

• COVID-19 cases have crossed 1.6 million, with the U.S. tally going up to 466,000. Global fatalities stand at 97,200, with the number in the U.S. at 16,703.
• Amazon says it set up a dedicated team consisting of research scientists and program managers to create its own testing lab for COVID-19. The lab will provide testing kits for Amazon's front-line workers as the retailer tries to negotiate a balance between serving customer orders and ensuring the safety of its workforce.
• Microsoft is delaying its dual-screen Surface Neo to 2021. Windows 10X devices will also not be debuting this year.
• T-Mobile has shared interesting insights regarding traffic usage on its network. With everyone working from home and classes being held online, T-Mobile saw an increase of 167% in education apps, and a similar uptick in video collaboration services.

April 9, 2020: Google bans Zoom usage over security fears

• Zoom has emerged as the go-to videoconferencing service over the last two months, but a spate of privacy and security issues have tarnished its image. According to BuzzFeed, Google is banning its workforce from using the service altogether over security issues.

April 8, 2020: Amazon halts third-party deliveries

• Amazon announced it was halting its third-party delivery service to focus on its own packages. The retailer has seen a surge in orders in the wake of the pandemic.
• Boutique PC manufacturer Maingear will use part of its production facilities to make ventilators for the New York region. New York City has been hit hardest by the pandemic, with the city already recording over 6,000 fatalities. Maingear says its ventilator is made from off-the-shelf parts — including an NVIDIA Shield tablet running custom software — and that it costs a quarter of a regular ventilator's manufacturing costs.

April 7, 2020: Microsoft asks all U.S. employees to work from home 'until further notice'

• Microsoft is now urging all U.S. employees to work from home "until further notice." The tech giant mandated work from home for its U.S. workforce three weeks ago, and with the virus continuing its deadly spread, Microsoft is extending its remote work guidelines. Microsoft has also confirmed that all of its events will be digital-only until July 2021.

April 6, 2020: Amazon donates 8,200 laptops to Seattle students

• Amazon has announced that it is donating 8,200 laptops to Seattle Public Schools families. The district shut down all schools nearly a month ago and switched to online classes, with Amazon's donation ensuring families have a device to access at home.
• School districts around the U.S. have started banning Zoom after security issues were found in the videoconferencing service. The New York public school system is switching to Microsoft Teams.

April 4, 2020: 100,000 new COVID-19 cases registered in one day

• COVID-19 cases surged over the weekend, with 101,500 new confirmed infections over the last 24 hours. The U.S. alone recorded one-third of those cases, with the country seeing 33,300 new infections.

April 3, 2020: COVID-19 has infected one million people globally

• COVID-19 hit an unwelcome milestone, as global cases ticked over the one million mark. With a staggering 80,600 new cases registered globally, the total number of infected now stand at 1,015,709. Total recovered is 211,049, and the virus has claimed 53,069 lives.
• The U.S. is now the country with the most number of COVID-19 infections, with 245,540 confirmed cases and 6,053 fatalities. The U.S. recorded 30,200 new cases in the last 24 hours, but what's truly astonishing is that the country still isn't in a nationwide lockdown.

April 2, 2020: Google donates Chromebooks to students in California, Amazon hires 80,000 workers, and Microsoft shifts to online-only events through 2021

• COVID-19 continue to rise globally, with another 75,100 new cases registered over the last 24 hours. Over 25,200 cases were registered in the U.S. alone, with the country seeing a huge spike over the last seven days.
• Google is donating 4,000 Chromebooks to students in rural California. With schools in the state closed for the rest of the year, Google is also contributing 100,000 Wi-Fi hotspots to households that deliver free access to the internet for three months.
• Amazon said a few weeks ago that it planned to hire 100,000 new workers for its warehouses to meet the rising demand in orders. The retailer now announced that it filled 80,000 roles, and outlined safety measures to ensure its warehourse workers don't contract the virus.
• Microsoft is planning on switching to online-only events for the foreseeable future. Microsoft has confirmed that all 2020 events are now digital, and that could extend to June 2021.

April 1, 2020: UN warns of global instability, and Bill Gates has the answers

• COVID-19 cases saw another huge spike over the last 24 hours, with 76,400 new cases registered. The U.S. recorded 26,400 new cases in a single day. With 190,000 cases, the U.S. has nearly double the number of confirmed cases as Italy.
• The United Nations has announced that the coronavirus pandemic will lead to enhanced instability around the globe, and that the current crisis is "unlike any in the 75-year history of the United Nations."
• Bill Gates has outlined a 3-step plan for the U.S. government to curb the spread of COVID-19. The measures include a full shutdown, more testing with aggregated results, and data-based vaccine trials.

March 31, 2020: Ford starts making masks, and the CDC is now asking the general public to wear masks

• Global COVID-19 cases continue to rise as countries test aggressively, with 62,200 cases registered over the last 24 hours. Over 20,900 cases are from the U.S. alone, with the country now seeing over 166,000 infections. The death toll for the U.S. has crossed 3,000.
• The CDC is reviewing its guidelines around wearing masks in public. The agency initially said that the general public does not need to wear masks, but with asymptomatic spread increasing, it is changing its stance.
• Masks continue to be in woefully short supply, with Ford announcing that it is working with 3M and GE to make respirators and ventilators.
• Sony is delaying the release of most of its movies to 2021, with the likes of Uncharted, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, and Peter Rabbit 2 affected. With movie theaters shut across the world, major studios have deferred the launch of their major titles.

March 30, 2020: Trump says U.S. death toll could be over 100,000, New York state records 1,000 fatalities

• In a statement, U.S. president Donald Trump stated that the death toll from COVID-19 could go beyond 100,000, and if it stays within that number, "we all together have done a very good job." Trump also extended the nationwide social distancing guidelines until the end of April.
• The death toll in New York has passed 1,000 as the state deals with the worst of the outbreak in the U.S. New York recorded 237 fatalities in a single day, the largest one-day increase yet.
• New York City mayor Bill de Blasio has warned that the city will run out of medical supplies, including ventilators, in a week's time.

March 29, 2020: UK may go into lockdown for six months to curb COVID-19 spread

• There have been another 59,400 COVID-19 cases around the globe in the last 24 hours, with 19,400 in just the U.S.
• UK predicts that it may be another six months before thing return to normal. The UK government enforced a lockdown last week, but with cases on the rise, it is estimated that social distancing guidelines will be extended.
• Russia announced a lockdown in parts of the country to prevent the virus from spreading.
• Mexico is also enforcing a lockdown of its 130 million residents for a month starting this week.

March 28, 2020: COVID-9 cases see biggest single-day increase yet

• A staggering 67,400 new COVID-19 cases were registered globally over the last 24 hours, making it the largest one-day increase yet. Governments around the world are enforcing out strict measures to control the spread of the virus.

March 27, 2020: Airbnb tries to provide 100,000 homes for front-line workers

• COVID-19 cases surged over the last 24 hours as countries ramp up their testing efforts. There have been a total of 61,900 new cases, with 19,800 coming from the U.S. alone. The U.S. now has more COVID-19 cases than any other country, with New York alone recording 3,101 new cases and 365 fatalities.
• Airbnb is asking 100,000 hosts to provide free accommodation to first responders.

March 26, 2020: U.S. pledges $1,200 in direct checks to Americans

• COVID-19 cases see another huge uptick, with nearly 50,000 new infections in the last 24 hours. The virus has now claimed over 21,000 lives, with confirmed cases rising to 472,000.
• The U.S. Senate has passed a $2 trillion stimulus package, the largest of its kind in American history. According to the bill, Americans earning up to $75,000 will receive $1,200 in direct checks, including an additional $500 per child. Anyone making over $99,000 will not be eligible to receive payment from the government. Joint filers netting under $150,000 will receive $2,400.
• The U.S. government also set aside $350 billion in loans to small businesses, and $500 billion for a government lending program.

March 25, 2020: U.S. sets up $2 trillion stimulus package, Tokyo Olympics postponed to 2021, 1.3 billion people in India under lockdown

• Global COVID-19 cases have skyrocketed in the last two days, with over 40,000 new cases in just the last 24 hours alone. Over 423,650 are now affected by the virus, with 18,900 deaths.
• The White House and U.S. senators came to an agreement over a $2 trillion stimulus plan designed to provide much-needed financial assistance to businesses and American families. This is the biggest stimulus package in American history.
• It's official: the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed because of the pandemic. They will be held in 2021 instead.
• The Indian government ordered a country-wide lockdown for three weeks, with the move affecting 1.3 billion people. Social distancing is just not possible in such a dense country, so a lockdown is the only measure to prevent the spread of the outbreak. But with three weeks in isolation and essential utilities already running low, it doesn't look good for the subcontinent.
• Warehouse workers in at least six Amazon fulfillment centers have tested positive for COVID-19: New York City; Shepherdsville, Kentucky.; Jacksonville, Florida.; Katy, Texas.; Brownstown, Michigan.; and Oklahoma City.
• Facebook and Google stand to lose more than $44 billion in ad revenue as a result of the coronavirus.
• WhatsApp is partnering with the WHO to create a new Health Alert service. It's aimed at sharing information on the latest numbers on covid-19 as well as tips to prevent spread and answers to FAQs. The service originally started in South Africa but is now going global.
• Facebook is looking to limit the number of chats messages can be forwarded to over Messenger to fight the spread coronavirus hoaxes.
• Snapchat is adding a coronavirus section to its Discover page. It will launch in both the U.S. and the UK, with more markets coming soon.

March 24, 2020: Amazon tackles price gouging, Verizon gives free data, and Big Tech turns to supercomputers

• Amazon, Microsoft, IBM, and Google are lending supercomputers to assist the U.S. government to solve COVID-19. That includes the world's fastest supercomputer, which has a 200-petaflop compute power.
• Verizon has announced that it is giving 15GB of extra data to all customers during the coronavirus crisis. The carrier is also waiving late fees and overages for residential and small business customers.
• Amazon says it removed over 500,000 items over price gouging. The retailer is working with regulators to ensure sellers don't violate its fair pricing policies.
• Google will begin highlighting search advisories and flexible airline and hotel policies when users make travel-related searches

March 23, 2020: Coronavirus cases see meteoric rise over the weekend

• There was a huge uptick in the number of coronavirus cases globally, with the virus now affecting 343,000 and claiming over 14,500 lives. Those numbers have doubled from just a week ago, with the U.S. tally at over 35,000. New York City now accounts for 5% of global cases, and the U.S. government is taking harsh measures to contain the spread.
• Google's coronavirus website is now live, and it gives useful information on preventative measures and real-time metrics at the global level.
• Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced that the company will donate millions of masks to healthcare professionals in the US and Europe.
• Best Buy is switching to curbside pickup for all orders as the retailer tries to contain the spread of the outbreak.
• After refusing to shut its stores last week, GameStop has announced that it will be closing its retail locations temporarily.
• The CDC has released a new self-checker bot to allow people to make healthcare decisions if they think they have coronavirus symptoms.
• Non-essential Amazon orders in March will slip into late April and early May as the company prioritizes household items.
• T-Mobile is offering users two months of YouTube Premium for subscribers to reward users for staying in during the quarantine. The company will also be offering users a four-week subscription at Shaw Academy.

March 20, 2020: Netflix and YouTube reduce video quality in Europe, Amazon shuts down Prime Pantry

• At the EU's urging, Netflix has reduced its streaming video quality in the region. With everyone self-isolating and working from home, ISPs are under a lot of strain. Netflix has announced that it will reduce the bitrate for 30 days, with the service noting that it should free up 25% more traffic.
• YouTube has also mentioned that it will reduce video quality in Europe to free up bandwidth. At this point, the restriction is only for the region and doesn't affect the U.S.
• The FCC has signed off on U.S. carriers using additional spectrum in the 600MHz channel for the next 60 days. The move is possible by leveraging unused spectrum from the likes of Dish, Comcast, NewLevel, and others.
• Amazon is shutting down Prime Pantry for the time being as the retailer deals with "high order volumes" because of the coronavirus outbreak.
• Google I/O 2020 is officially no more. Google had planned to host a livestream in place of a physical event, but even that has been axed.
• Now an information hotspot, Twitter is focusing on verifying user accounts that are providing credible updates around the pandemic. The company has directed experts to update their bio with relevant information and link their accounts to the email address of their associated public institutions.

March 19, 2020: U.S. government plans $500 billion in direct checks, Amazon shuts down NY warehouse, Google pauses Chrome OS development

• We got more details on the U.S. government's $1 trillion stimulus package. The Trump administration has asked Congress for an infusion of $500 billion in direct checks to American taxpayers. The other $500 billion is being set aside for loans to businesses.
• An Amazon warehouse worker in Queens, New York has tested positive for COVID-19. The retailer shut down the warehouse temporarily for "additional sanitation" and sent workers home for the day with full pay.
• Google is pausing the development of Chrome and Chrome OS temporarily because of the coronavirus.
• Samsung has mentioned that it is shutting down all stores in the U.S. and Canada. Customers will still be able to order products online.
• Waymo is also shutting down its driverless taxi service, but its fully driverless vehicles will continue to operate for now.
• Netflix is throttling streaming quality in Europe for the next 30 days to keep pressure off the internet.

March 18, 2020: U.S. government closes Canada border for non-essential travel

• The U.S. government is readying a massive $1 trillion stimulus, including $250 billion in direct checks to Americans. A government plan to combat the coronavirus suggests the pandemic could last 18 months.
• The U.S. is also closing its border with Canada for non-essential travel, and while trade will not be affected, it's clear that countries are locking down to prevent the spread of the virus.
• Google was set to conduct an online-only version of its Cloud Next event, but the search giant has mentioned that it is delaying the event indefinitely.

March 17, 2020: Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Twitter, and Reddit are working together to fight coronavirus misinformation

• Major tech companies — including the likes of Google, Microsoft, Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit — are uniting to fight misinformation on the coronavirus. Google in particular has been very proactive in taking down coronavirus-related hoaxes and fraudulent posts, and the move further strengthens collaboration between various platforms.
• Verily's coronavirus testing site has hit full capacity in just a day, and it is now not taking on any more users. Google has also mentioned that its informational site on the virus will be going live later this week.
• Mint Mobile is providing all customers with unlimited high-speed data between now and April 14. Furthermore, anyone that purchases high-speed data add-ons will be 100% reimbursed by the company.
• Uber is getting rid of its carpooling feature in the U.S. and Canada as the ride-sharing service tries to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Lyft is also temporarily stopping its carpooling option, but this extends to all markets that it's offered in.

March 16, 2020: Verily's coronavirus screening website goes live in San Francisco Bay Area, fake texts, and Android malware

• Verily's coronavirus testing website is now live for residents of the San Francisco Bay Area. The move comes after the Trump administration inadvertently announced that Google is building a nationwide testing site for COVID-19.
• Google was caught off-guard when Trump announced the details of the site and mentioned that 1,700 engineers were on the task. Over the last two days the Google provided more insight into what's actually going on. Verily — another organization under the Alphabet umbrella — is the one that's building the coronavirus testing site, and for now it is limited to residents of the Bay Area.
• Google, for its part, is rolling out a website that provides more information on the coronavirus by pulling in details from the likes of the CDC and WHO. The search giant is already promoting advice like "Do The Five", which includes public guidelines on how to limit the spread of the virus.
• Today, the White House National Security Council tweeted the text circulating about the president declaring a two-week national quarantine is fake. Instead, the WHNSC advises people follow the CDC for the latest information regarding the novel coronavirus.
• Security researchers DomainTools discovered there is a ransomware app for Android disguised as a coronavirus tracker. The app will lock your device with a password threatening to erase everything and leak your social media accounts online if you don't pay the ransom. The CovidLock app should only affect phones running older versions of Android because Google has added protections against the flaw starting with Nougat. If you get locked out by the ransomware, using the password "4865083501" without the quotes should get you back into your phone.

March 13, 2020: Amazon asks all employees to work from home, Microsoft Build goes online, and sports leagues shut down

• Microsoft's annual developer event will now be held online. Microsoft Build was scheduled to take place in Seattle, but with the city becoming a hotbed for the virus, Microsoft is putting the safety of the community first.
• Amazon is asking over 750,000 employees around the world to work from home. The move doesn't target its fulfilment division, and the retailer set up a $25 million fund to meet the needs of its fulfilment staff.
• NCAA cancels March Madness over coronavirus fears. NHL followed suit, and MLB will delay Opening Day by at least two weeks. The PGA Tour has also been called off.
• Formula 1 and the FIA have decided to pull out of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne over coronavirus fears. The sporting body waited until the last minute to make a decision, even as a team member from McLaren was tested positive, leading the team to withdraw from the event. The Bahrain Grand Prix will go along as planned, but will be held without any fans in attendance.
• IPVanish has launched a promotion on its VPN service offering 63% off for 3 months plus 250GB of free SugarSync cloud storage. This could come in handy for streaming media from other regions to stay entertained at home and for file sharing if you now have to work remotely.
• Google warns that customers needing to access support may have longer wait times due to "operating with a limited team." This applies to hardware platforms like Pixel and Pixelbook, as well as software like Google Drive.
• Google and the U.S. government are collaborating on a new coronavirus screening site. President Donald Trump says Google has "1, 700 engineers" working on it.

March 12, 2020: Twitter asks employees to work from home, U.S. bans travel from Europe as coronavirus becomes a pandemic

• Twitter has ordered all employees globally to work from home to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
• In an unprecedented move, the U.S. has banned travel from most European countries for 30 days. 26 countries are affected, including Germany, France, Belgium, Finland, and Denmark.
• The NBA has shut down the 2020 season until further notice after a player has tested positive for COVID-19.
• The World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus a global pandemic, with the organization urging countries to work together to contain its spread. This is the first coronavirus to be dubbed a pandemic, and with the virus already claiming over 4,500 lives, it is deadlier than SARS.
• Samsung is now offering free cleaning services for Galaxy phones, the Galaxy Watch and Galaxy Buds. It'll use UV-C light which kills viruses, bacteria, and miscellaneous germs and is less abrasive than wipes and other cleaning chemicals.

March 11, 2020: E3 won't be taking place this year

• Owing to the "alarming levels of spread and severity" of the outbreak, the World Health Organisation has officially classified COVID-19 as a pandemic.
• One of the gaming industry's biggest events won't be taking place this year. E3 has been officially canceled over coronavirus fears, with the three-day event originally scheduled to take place from June 9 - 11. It's a big blow to the gaming industry, and it is possible we'll see brands announce new games in dedicated virtual events.
• Google is now recommending that all of its North American staff work from home. The search giant previously told full-time staff in San Francisco, Dublin, and Seattle offices to work remotely, but that is now being extended to cover all of North America.
• The Mountain View giant has now expanded that recommendation to include all staff in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, as well.

March 10, 2020: U.S. stock market plummets, China's phone segment sees a massive 54.7% YoY decline

• Phone shipments in China have taken a massive hit in February because of the coronavirus outbreak. South China Morning Post notes that year-on-year figures were down by a staggering 54.7%, with the likes of Huawei and Xiaomi significantly affected. Apple's shipments were also down by over 50% last month.
• Huawei will now unveil the P40 series in an online-only event. The manufacturer planned an event in Paris on March 26, but has switched to a virtual event because of the coronavirus.
• Major tech companies took a massive hit as the stock market witnessed its worst day since the 2008 meltdown. Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, and Amazon cumulatively lost over $300 billion worth of value in one day.

March 9, 2020: Tech companies recommend remote work as COVID-19 spreads in the U.S.

• The U.S. now has over 500 cases of COVID-19, with 21 confirmed deaths. Major tech companies — including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook — are encouraging their employees to work from home to limit the spread of the outbreak.
• Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and Twitter have also committed to paying hourly wage workers during the outbreak. With these companies switching to remote work for full-time staff, hourly workers like security guards and janitors will be paid in full even if they're asked to stay home.
• Stanford University, University of Washington, Seattle University and Northeastern University's Seattle campus have all switched to online-only classes for the rest of the semester.
• Xiaomi has donated thousands of masks to the Italian government in a show of solidarity. The tech firm included a quote from Roman Philosopher Seneca to drive the sentiment home: "We are waves of the same sea, leaves of the same tree, flowers of the same garden."

Get real-time global data on COVID-19

The best resource for real-time information on COVID-19 infection rates globally is the dashboard maintained by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins. It provides a real-time view of the virus' spread around the globe, and has a country-wise breakdown of infection rates and total deaths/recoveries.

You also get a city-wise breakdown of COVID-19 cases in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. The dashboard plugs into several data sources, including the World Health Organisation, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, China's National Health Commission, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, and local government data. You can also head to the WHO and CDC to know more about the virus and how you can stay safe:

• CDC's COVID-19 site
• WHO COVID-19 updates

List of cancellations/online-only events because of COVID-19

COVID-19 has caused several cancellations, including Mobile World Congress, the largest mobile-related event in the world. With the rising risk of infection and restrictions on global travel, most brands are rescheduling, canceling, or switching to virtual events to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

• Google I/O (May 12 - 14): Google's annual I/O event is where the search giant shows off its latest developments. This year's event won't take place at all.
• Google Cloud Next (April 6 - 8): Google's Cloud Next event has been delayed indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic. The search giant initially planned on a "free, global, digital-first, multi-day event" with hundreds of sessions set to broadcast digitally, but that won't be the case.
• E3 2020 (June 9 - 11): The annual Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) has been canceled over coronavirus fears. The event was scheduled to take place in LA, and with the city in a state of emergency, the organizers of E3 decided to cancel the three-day event. This is the first time since 1996 the event won't take place.
• Coachella (April 10 - 19): Coachella has been postponed until October. The music event will now run from October 9 to 18 instead of April 10 - 19.
• SXSW 2020 (March 13 - 22):: SXSW 2020 has been canceled a week before its scheduled start. This is the first time the event has been canceled, and its fate was sealed when tech companies — including Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Facebook, and Intel — pulled out along with major record labels.
• Game Developers Conference (GDC): Originally scheduled to run from March 16 to 20, the event has been postponed to a date later in the summer. We don't have details on dates just yet, but will update once we hear more.
• Mobile World Congress (February 24 - 27): The biggest mobile-related event of the year was one of the first to be canceled because of the coronavirus outbreak. With major brands like Intel, LG, Ericsson, Vivo, and others pulling out, GSMA had to pull the plug on this year's installment of MWC.

A lot of tech events are still going on as planned, but will now be held online to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. That includes Google's annual I/O, where the tech giant usually showcases its latest software efforts. These are the events that will now be conducted over the internet:

• Microsoft Build (May 19 - 21): Micorosoft's biggest annual event will now be held online. The event was slated to be held in Seattle, but with the coronavirus posing a significant threat to the city and Washington state, Microsoft has switched to a virtual event.
• Facebook F8 (May 5 - 6): Facebook pulled the plug on its annual developer event, and the company says it will instead rely on a combination of "locally hosted events, videos and live streamed content." More details will be forthcoming leading up to the event date.

Product delays due to the coronavirus

The coronavirus effectively shut down China's manufacturing industry for several weeks, and that will have long-term effects for tech brands. It's business as usual for the industry for now as most manufacturers stockpile products months in advance, but we're already seeing the likes of Apple and Microsoft slashing their earnings forecast for Q1 2020.

The real effect of the coronavirus will be felt in the coming weeks as components run into shortages. Although companies like Samsung don't rely on China for manufacturing anymore, the individual components that go into your phone are still manufactured predominantly in the country. We'll be monitoring the situation closely, but for now there have not been any major product delays because of the virus.

COVID-19's effect on the tech industry

• Google donates 4,000 Chromebooks to students in California
• Verizon is giving 15GB of extra data to customers amid coronavirus crisis
• Apple will provide millions of masks to healthcare professionals
• Google's coronavirus website is now live
• GameStop is finally shutting its retail stores
• Waymo is shutting service due to the coronavirus
• Samsung is closing its U.S. and Canadian stores because of the coronavirus
• Google says it's pausing Chrome and Chrome OS development
• The U.S. government is readying a $1 trillion stimulus package
• The U.S. is closing its border with Canada for non-essential travel
• Uber shuts down its carpooling feature in the U.S. and Canada for now
• Verily's coronavirus testing site hits capacity in just a day
• Verily's coronavirus website is now live in California's Bay Area
• Google set to roll out information site with all the details on the coronavirus spread
• Apple reopens all 42 stores in China following an extended shutdown
• Xiaomi VP says production of the Redmi K30 Pro hasn't been affected by the coronavirus
• Twitter orders mandatory work from home for all of its employees
• Google encourages remote work for staff in North America
• Huawei will launch the P40 series in an online-only event on March 26
• Google and Apple curtail all nonessential travel for their employees
• Google shuts down all COVID-19 apps on the Play Store to prevent misinformation
• Twitter and Netflix bow out of SXSW, and the city of Austin pulls the plug on the event
• Google offers its enterprise version of Hangouts Meet for free to facilitate remote work
• Samsung temporarily shuts down Galaxy Z Flip manufacturing facility to limit spread of the virus
• How COVID-19 shut down the tech industry

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Mee Audio X10 True Wireless Earphones Review

Mee Audio's latest headset is the true wireless X10, which is priced at Rs. 4,999 in India. How do these affordable earphones sound? Find out in our review.

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Popular Google Doodle Games Series Continues With a Cricket Game

Google Doodle has been updated to the Cricket doodle from 2017 that celebrated the ICC Champions Trophy.

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WhatsApp Increases Group Call Limit for iPhone Users: How to Use It

The method to start a WhatsApp group voice or video call remains unchanged; however, you will now have the option to add seven more people, instead of just three.

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Vivo has surpassed Samsung as the second largest smartphone brand in India android os

Xiaomi continued to lead the Indian smartphone market with 30.6% share in Q1 2020.

What you need to know

• BBK-owned smartphone maker Vivo overtook Samsung to emerge as the second largest smartphone vendor in India in Q1 2020.
• Vivo shipped 6.7 million smartphones in India during the first quarter, while Samsung shipped 6.3 million units.
• Xiaomi remained the top smartphone vendor in the country, shipping 10.3 million units in Q1 2020.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, Xiaomi passed Samsung to become the top smartphone vendor in India. Since then, Samsung has been the second largest smartphone vendor in the country. As per the latest data from Canalys, however, Vivo overtook Samsung in the Indian market to take the second position in the first quarter of 2020.

The BBK-owned smartphone maker saw shipments rise by nearly 50% during the quarter, allowing it to capture 19.9% of the market. Samsung's shipments, on the other hand, dropped by almost 14% during the quarter. While Vivo shipped 6.7 million smartphones between January and March, Samsung shipped 6.3 million units.

Calling Vivo's victor "bitter-sweet," Canalys analyst Madhumita Chaudary said in a statement:

The high sell-in this quarter was mainly due to planned stockpiles ahead of the high-profile Indian Premier League (IPL). However, the unplanned lockdown at the end of March has disrupted the vendor's plans. With IPL postponed, and much of its inventory in offline channels locked out, Vivo will struggle to see a quick sell-through when the lockdown lifts.

Xiaomi continued to hold the No.1 spot in the country, shipping 10.3 million smartphones and capturing 30.6% market share. Realme too registered impressive growth during the first quarter of the year, with an annual growth of 200%. It shipped a total of 3.9 million smartphones, as opposed to 1.3 million units during Q1 2019. OPPO, another BBK-owned smartphone maker, held the fourth spot in the Indian smartphone market in Q1 2020, with 10.4% market share.

Canalys says smartphone shipments in the country will plunge in Q2 2020 due to the lockdown that remains in force up to May 3. Smartphone vendors will also have to continue to deal with supply- and demand-side issues in the near future.

BBK Electronics: Meet the company that owns OnePlus, OPPO, Vivo, and Realme

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New Google Pixel Buds Go on Sale in the US

After being announced back in October 2019, Google has finally put the new Pixel Buds on sale in the US, priced at $179.

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Xiaomi Takes Prepaid Orders Despite Coronavirus Lockdown in India

Xiaomi is taking pre-orders through its Mi.com site in India, amid the national lockdown that is aimed to limit the coronavirus outbreak.

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iPhone SE: New Wine, Old Bottle - Only Apple Has the 'Courage'

Apple iPhone SE (2020) uses the same old design as the iPhone 8, but will people overlook old design for top-of-the-line hardware?

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Mi 10 Lite vs Mi 10 Lite Zoom Edition: What's the Difference?

Mi 10 Lite and Mi 10 Lite Zoom Edition are recent additions by Xiaomi in its smartphone lineup. Both phones are quite similar in terms of design and specifications.

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Hits Disney+ Hotstar on Star Wars Day

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is coming to Disney+ Hotstar on May 4, also known as Star Wars Day. Download or stream the full movie online. With that, the Skywalker saga is complete on streaming in...

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Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Hits Disney+ Hotstar on Star Wars Day *APP_NEWS*

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is coming to Disney+ Hotstar on May 4, also known as Star Wars Day. Download or stream the full movie online. With that, the Skywalker saga is complete on streaming in India.

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WhatsApp Takes on Zoom With Increased Group Call Limit for iPhone Users: How to Use it *APP_NEWS*

The method to start a WhatsApp group voice or video call remains unchanged; however, you will now have the option to add seven more people, instead of just three.

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Xiaomi Hosting an Event on April 30, Redmi Note 9 Likely to Debut

Redmi Note 9 series is getting a new member on April 30, Xiaomi announced through a teaser circulated through its social media channels.

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Vivo Watch Development Tipped Again, Specifications a Mystery for Now

Vivo smartwatch has been rumoured to be in development for some time now. Back in February, Vivo Watch branding was spotted on multiple trademark websites, however, the device was never confirmed by...

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Tesla Says Cars Can Automatically Stop for Traffic Lights

After testing on public roads, Tesla is rolling out a new feature of its partially automated driving system designed to spot stop signs and traffic signals.

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Amazon Ties Up With Indian Railways to Transport Essential Orders

Amazon has strengthened its partnership with the Indian Railways to transport consignments via "COVID-19 Parcel Special Trains" across the country.

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Airtel Signs $1-Billion Deal With Nokia

Nokia has secured a multi-year contract to boost the capacity of Bharti Airtel, one of India's largest mobile operators, the firm announced on Tuesday.

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LG confirms key specs of its Velvet smartphone ahead of May 7 launch android os

The phone is set to make its global debut at an online launch event on May 7.

What you need to know

• LG has officially revealed the Velvet ahead of its May 7 launch.
• It features a 6.8-inch Cinema FullVision display and Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765 chipset.
• The smartphone will go on sale in South Korea starting May 15.

LG had announced last week that it will be taking the wraps off its new Velvet smartphone at an online event on May 7. Surprisingly, however, the company today officially revealed the mid-range smartphone and confirmed that it will go on sale in South Korea from May 15.

The LG Velvet comes with a large 6.8-inch Cinema FullVision display with a tall 20.5:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by Qualcomm's 7nm Snapdragon 765 processor and offers 5G support as well. At the back of the phone is a triple-lens camera system with a "Raindrop" design. You get a 48MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter, and a 5MP depth sensor. LG Velvet also comes with an impressive "Voice Out Focus" feature, which lets you get rid of background noise when shooting videos. It offers an ASMR recording mode too.

Keeping the lights on is a 4,300mAh battery, with a "low-power software algorithm" to help extend battery life. The mid-range phone also comes with stereo speakers and supports LG's Dual Screen and Stylus pen accessories. As confirmed by the company earlier this month, the Velvet will be available four colors: Aurora White, Aurora Gray, Aurora Green, and Illusion Sunset.

While the phone will be available through all three major carriers in South Korea from May 15, LG hasn't revealed the phone's price yet. LG will probably shed more light on the phone's pricing and global availability on May 7.

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