Xiaomi could be next in line to show off a foldable phone

Foldable phones remain challenging and expensive to make, but the number of manufacturers with a foldable in their smartphone range is slowly growing. Now there's new evidence that Xiaomi could be next in line with a launch.

Code spotted in Xiaomi's MIUI 12 by XDA Developers strongly suggests that the groundwork is being laid for a foldable device codenamed Cetus – folding capabilities are mentioned numerous times in relation to the device display.

The code reveals that we're looking at a phone running MIUI on top of Android 11, carrying a 108MP primary camera, and running some kind of Snapdragon processor (most probably a high-end model).

• Going hands on with the Xiaomi Mi 10T Pro
• The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 is on the way
• The Xiaomi foldable could have two hinges

No other information about the phone is revealed – there's nothing about its size or its release date – but it's one of the biggest hints we've seen so far that Xiaomi has a foldable phone on the way, and it could be arriving at some point next year.

Xiaomi + foldables

If Xiaomi does have a foldable phone in the pipeline, it wouldn't be much of a surprise: we've been hearing rumors about such a device from the Chinese electronics giant for almost two years at this point.

Rumors or not, Xiaomi is a company that likes to stay at the forefront of smartphone innovation, and it won't want the likes of Samsung, Huawei and Motorola getting too much of a head start when it comes to developing foldables.

Earlier this year there was some activity around Xiaomi patents for a device with a screen that bends, and in terms of the device design it had the look of a Huawei Mate Xs – which may or may not be what the finished smartphone ends up looking like.

Considering the mention of Android 11 and the fact that Samsung now has two Folds and a Flip out in the wild, we'd guess that Xiaomi won't want to wait much longer with its own foldable phone – a launch sometime in 2021 is looking likely.

• How Samsung's first foldable phone mistakes paved the way for Galaxy Z Fold 2

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Should I buy an outdoor TV?

There’s nothing better than finishing off a work day and hitting the couch to watch your favorite team play, the next episode in your latest Netflix show, or an epic movie. But what happens if you’re also keeping an eye on a BBQ? Or just want a little fresh air? An outdoor TV can solve all of these issues – and we certainly wouldn’t blame you for wanting one.

An outdoor TV is also a great way to entertain guests – and in a world of quarantine and isolation, it may be the only way to safely watch TV with a friend or two without getting too close and being inside together. 

No matter the reason for considering an outdoor TV, there are a few things you should know before you pull the trigger.

Should I buy an outdoor TV?

There are plenty of reasons to consider buying an outdoor TV. Perhaps you’re setting up an outdoor entertainment area, and need something to tie it together. Or, maybe you want to make sure you don’t miss the game while you’re cooking on a patio grill.

In any case, it’s important to set expectations and make sure you find the best bang for your buck. Indoor TVs are getting better and better – thanks to technology like OLED, HDR, and high resolutions like 4K. Thankfully, outdoor TVs aren’t missing out on that, but the latest technology is a little slower to show up on these outdoor TVs than it is indoor ones. The ones that do have this tech are often more expensive than indoor options too.

Having said that, if you don’t mind spending a little extra cash to get the right product, and feel that an outdoor TV would complete your outdoor setup, then it may be worth buying one. 

(Image credit: SunBrite)

Is it safe to put a TV outdoors?

There are two main issues to consider when buying a TV for outdoor use -- weather, and security. Let’s start with weather. 

There are a few ways to ensure that your TV doesn’t get damaged in bad weather. The first way to do so is to buy a TV that was designed and built to be used outside. These TVs usually have some kind of weather-proofing, and a display that is bright enough to offer a good image even in direct sunlight – but are often bulkier and more expensive than their indoor counterparts.

The other option is you buy a regular TV, but keep it in a weather-proof case that you close up when you’re not using the TV. In this situation, you’ll have to ensure that you’re not using the TV when it’s raining or snowing, and this probably isn’t the best option for areas where it gets really cold or really hot. The advantage to this, however, is that you can spend less on a TV -- and in some situations, it may look better too. 

Ultimately, if you can afford doing so we recommend buying a TV that was designed for outdoor use. This ensures that even if the weather gets a little crazy, your TV should remain perfectly fine – and you don’t have to worry about perfectly sealing up your TV when you’re not using it. That’s true even under a covered patio. There are other risks besides rain – such as insects, temperature variation, and so on. 

The other main issue is security. It’s a good idea to ensure that the area you keep your outdoor TV is as hidden as possible from passers-by. And, it’s also a good idea to have a security camera set up outside in case something does happen. Of course, you should also make sure that your TV is properly bolted into a wall, rather than just having it on a stand like you might inside.

• Need some audio too? Check out these 10 outdoor speakers

What does an outdoor TV cost?

If you want to put a TV outdoors, you’re going to have to pay up a little. If you buy an actual purpose-built TV, you’re looking at around $1,000 on the low-end, and around $3,000 for a mid range option. 

If you want to save cash, buying a standard TV and outdoor TV cabinet may be the way to go, considering you could buy a normal TV for a relatively small amount, and a cabinet for not much more. All in, you should be able to put together a solution for well under the cost of a dedicated outdoor TV.

• Should I buy a SunBrite TV?

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Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra May Come With a Penta Rear Camera Setup, Renders Leaked

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Trump and Biden official election apps vulnerable to hackers

The official 2020 election apps of both President Trump and Joe Biden feature significant security issues, researchers have claimed.

With the US Presidential election now just a few days away, doubts have been raised over the security of the official apps used by both candidates by researchers at security firm Promon.

The company found that both the Trump and Biden apps are vulnerable to StrandHogg, a well-known and critical Android vulnerability that allows hackers to easily hijack apps and overlay fake screens which can depict anything the attacker wants, including screens that ask the user to hand over sensitive information, such as usernames and passwords.

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Election apps hacked

The news comes despite President Trump recently declaring at a campaign rally that, "Nobody gets hacked. To get hacked you need somebody with 197 IQ and he needs about 15% of your password”.

Promon was able to use StrandHogg to overlay fake screens - one on Trump’s app, calling on users to donate to the Biden campaign, and another on official the Biden app, showing the Democratic candidate in a MAGA hat, urging users to vote for Trump. 

“The President’s statement sadly reflects a widely believed sentiment that secure passwords will protect you from hackers and that hacking, in general, doesn’t affect the average citizen," noted Tom Lysemose Hansen, CTO at Promon.

"Sadly, this isn’t the case. Absolutely nothing is “unhackable” and even the most secure, high profile accounts are vulnerable should the user fall victim to a phishing attack which seeks usernames and passwords."

The report comes shortly after the official Trump re-election campaign in the state of Wisconsin said it had lost $2.3 million to hackers who carried out a phishing attack.

• We've also highlighted the best endpoint protection software

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Atmanirbhar Apps by Mitron Now Available for Android Devices, Aims to Promote Made in India Apps

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Theories suggest Micromax might be rebranding Huawei phones for India

Update (November 1): Micromax showed off the phones, debunking the correlation between In Mobiles and Huawei/Honor. The original story has been retained below, but it no longer holds true.

Micromax is set to make a big return to the Indian smartphone market next week, with the launch of the new ‘In’ series of smartphones. While we await more details around its specs and pricing, conspiracy theorists think that the company will be rebadging Honor phones this time.

Earlier this year, Micromax announced that it will resume selling smartphones in India. Eventual developments confirmed that this return will happen under a new umbrella — In Mobiles. On November 3, two budget devices will be launched in the sub Rs 15,000 segment, powered by the gaming-centric MediaTek Helio G25 and the G35 chipsets. The rest of the specifications are yet to be officially confirmed.

(Image credit: Future)

In the usual pre-launch buzz campaigns, the company shared another teaser which shows a part of the back of the phone: a glossy panel with an X-shaped pattern that shines according to the light hitting it. Twitter users were quick to point out how familiar this design characteristic was to the Honor 9X which was launched a few months ago. This snowballed into a cloud of doubt over Micromax’s operations.

Micromax has always prided itself in being an Indian smartphone brand. However, many of its phones were actually just rebranded devices from smaller Chinese OEMs. These manufacturers would supply the base hardware, while Micromax would take care of the software and after-sales service. Many believe that Micromax might be up to something similar with its 2020 return unless it is ready to invest hundreds of crores and take care of the entire supply chain itself.

It’s no secret that Honor and Huawei have had a tough last few months, withdrawing from many markets and slowing down in others. Getting rid of any excess inventory in this way might not be the worst idea in that sense. Of course, it is too early to tell if that is actually the case or just coincidence.

If it is true, this wouldn’t be the first partnership between the two brands. Back in July 2019, Huawei announced a strategic partnership with Micromax to use its extensive retailer network across India as a destination for sales and service. 

We suggest you take this with a grain of salt as there is no real evidence suggesting a bigger partnership between the two companies. We should get a lot more clarity next week.

• Micromax’s In Series phones will debut on November 3
• Honor 9X Pro with in-house AppGallery launched in India
• Apple iPhone 12: price in India, pre-orders, and best offers

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Google Meet Desktop Users Can Now Add Custom Background During Video Calls, Here's How it Works

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Apple's iOS 14.2 GM Update for Beta Testers Fixes Incorrect Notification Alert, Photos Widget

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