17th FEBRUARY 2021,

Microsoft has introduced a Kids Mode on its Edge browser. Designed to offer Web browsing in a child-friendly, customisable manner, the new Kids Mode is currently only being rolled out to US English on Windows and macOS. The Microsoft post says the Kids Mode is designed with kid-friendly features and safety guardrails for kids to safely explore the web. The Kids Mode sets the Bing SafeSearch to ‘strict' by default and additionally offers other features like kid-friendly content, custom browser themes and a password to exit. The Microsoft Edge users don't need to have a child account or profile to access Kids Mode. 

• Twitter Started Rolling Out Voice DM Feature in India, Brazil, & Japan 

Twitter has started testing a new voice messaging feature for direct messages on the platform. The feature is being rolled out in a phased manner to users in India, Brazil, and Japan starting Wednesday, February 17. The test feature is being made available for both Android and iOS users. Each voice message can be upto 140 seconds long and can help people chat quickly whether on the move or when there's just too much to type.

• Bluestacks Touched 1 Billion Download

Android app emulation software for Windows and macOS- BlueStacks recently announced that they had reached 1 billion downloads and that they were progressing towards the next major update to the software. The BlueStacks app player has evolved to become one of the top three gaming platforms for PC, trusted by over more than 500 million gamers in over 200 international locations. The company also revealed that a typical BlueStacks user was spending an average of 5 hours playing mobile games every day. 

On Monday the company unveiled BlueStacks 5 (Beta) update that promises a 40 percent reduction in RAM usage. The new BlueStacks 5 (Beta) which will support ARM devices offers significantly faster boot, install and launch times and core gamers can look forward to better gameplay experiences, the company said in a statement. The new beta will also include support for a new ‘Eco mode’ that allows for better multitasking by utilizing fewer resources. To ensure gamers can have sustained performance, they had to introduce two new features, the company says.

• Nokia 5.4 Goes on Sale in India Today; Price = Rs 13,999.

Nokia 5.4 is set to go on sale in India for the first time on Wednesday via the Nokia website and Flipkart. The handset’s price and specifications were revealed last week when HMD Global had officially launched the phone in India alongside the Nokia 3.4, with the latter going on sale from February 20th. Nokia 5.4 specifications include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 662 SoC, 48 quad-cameras, Android 10 OS, 6.39-inch HD+ display, and a 16MP selfie snapper. It features a punch-hole design for the front camera, a circular camera module at the back, and a physical fingerprint sensor for security. 

Nokia 5.4 price in India is set at Rs. 13,999 for the 4GB + 64GB storage variant, while the 6GB + 64GB storage model is priced at Rs. 15,499. The smartphone comes in Dusk and Polar Night colour options. The phone will be on sale starting from February 17th at 12 noon on the Nokia website and Flipkart. The dual-SIM (Nano) Nokia 5.4 runs on Android 10. It measures 160.97 x 75.99 x 8.7mm and weighs 181 grams. The phone comes with a dedicated Google Assistant button, aptX Adaptive, and OZO audio.

• Garmin Enduro Solar Charging Smartwatch With 65 Days Battery Backup Launched; Price = Rs 65,600

US watchmaker Garmin has added a new smartwatch to its lineup stuffed with some unique features you won’t find on many of the smartwatches around. The watch Garmin Enduro has been unveiled with a solar charging lens touted to extend its battery life by up to 65 days. In addition to solar charging, Garmin Enduro includes proprietary features including VO2 Max and ClimbPro for enhanced training. The Garmin Enduro smartwatch is specially designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who participate in cycling, long races, and mountain trekking. The smartwatch also allows users to track their rest times when selecting the Ultrarun activity. 

Garmin Enduro price has been set at $799.99 (roughly Rs. 58,300) for the steel variant and $899.99 (roughly Rs. 65,600) for the titanium version. Garmin Enduro also comes with a 10ATM water-resistant design. The smartwatch is compatible with both Android and iPhone models and can be paired using the Garmin Connect app. The smartwatch is available for order through the Garmin website in the US. Details about its availability in other markets are yet to be made known.

                            #ENJOY TECH