Sony tweets cryptic video teaser for launch at MWC 2018

There’s not much we can take away from Sony’s teaser for its Mobile World Congress launch. But at least we know something is coming, we reported last month that the Xperia XZ Pro might be on its way. Reports have also surfaced online that upcoming phones will feature new looks. But there isn’t any indication of that in the teaser, which just shows a hand and ripples cascading down on it. What we did get is the launch is happening on February 26^th in Barcelona. You can check out the tweet below.

Join us. 26.02.2018 #SonyMWC pic.twitter.com/n6IQ82XRVZ

— Sony Xperia (@sonyxperia) February 19, 2018

Source: The Verge

Samsung tipped to be adding 3D emoji and stereo speakers to the Galaxy S9

Venture Beat

Samsung isn’t one to shy away from “borrowing” features from Apple. If reports are to be believed, the company is set to add another feature familiar to Apple iPhone X users: 3D emojis. Samsung will reportedly have their own take on Animojis but will supposedly be more advanced than what Apple is offering. It’ll supposedly be similar in the sense that a 3D character (including animal ones) can track your facial movements and copy those. It’s not surprising that this is coming to the Galaxy S9 as Samsung is set to bring its latest Exynos chip to this device, which the company says has “realistic face-tracking filters” as well as improved security features for unlocking the device using facial recognition.

Aside from adding 3D emojis, rumour has it the Galaxy S9 will be sporting stereo speakers that have Dolby Surround and will be tuned by Samsung-owned acoustics company AKG. The speakers will supposedly be placed at the top and bottom of the phone. We don’t have that long of a wait before Samsung unveils the device. It’s set to debut at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this February 25^th.

Source: The Verge

LG to bring AI camera features to new V30 model

LG is joining the bandwagon of putting artificial intelligence tech into its smartphone’s camera. The South Korean company said they will be showing off “the first of a suite of AI technologies into a new version of the V30 at the upcoming Mobile World Congress. This was leaked earlier in Korea with reports that a phone called the V30s will be coming to MWC and will have AI-powered camera features.

This Vision AI tech, as LG calls it, will be initially focused on image recognition and will provide auto image analysis to recommend shooting modes instantly as well as help recognize objects and offer shopping suggestions (similar to Google Lens on the Pixel devices). The technology will also supposedly be used to offer better low-light performance.

Source: The Verge

Leaked image of the Galaxy S9 show up online

Looks like Samsung doesn’t want to change things up too much with the upcoming version of its flagship—at least if we are to believe the renders that renowned leaker Evan Blass shared. At first glass the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus look rather similar to its predecessor. But this time there are more cameras and sensors above the screen. We won’t be surprised if they improve the face unlock capability of the device. And if a portrait mode similar to the ones we’ve seen on the Pixel 2 and iPhone X appear, we won’t be surprised either. As Engadget points out, the bezels do seem somewhat larger than those in the S8. But this is something we have to take a closer look at first. Thankfully, the wait isn’t that long as Samsung is set to unveil the new flagships next month.