In June, Linux Mint 20 “Ulyana” came in three editions: Cinnamon, MATE, and Xfce, along with many new features. Subsequently, it received a lot of feedback, including both good and bad.
You can check out our review of Linux Mint 20 with features scoring good ratings. Nonetheless, according to the latest popularity statistics revealed in the July month blog, Linux Mint 19.3 “Tricia” is currently the most popular point release compared to any other Mint version.
Linux Mint Ubuntu Edition Is More Popular Than Debian
As you can see in the graph, more than 50% of Linux Mint users use Linux Mint 19.x series. This is even more than combining both the old Mint 18.x and the brand new Mint 20, which represents about 20% of the user base.
However, the latest Mint 20 that offers numerous new features has also achieved good growth, reaching equal to Mint 18.x user base after just a few months of release. If we look more closely at all point releases of Linux Mint, 19.3 “Tricia” tops the list followed by 20 “Ulyana,” 19.1 “Tessa,” and 18.3 “Slyvia.”
It may be surprising for some users of Linux Mint Debian Edition that despite the new LMDE 4, about 1% of the users actually use it. This number is way less than the Mint 17.x version that has already reached its End-of-Life (EOL) but still represents 6% of the user base.
To tell you the data source, the Mint team has generated the pie chart by collecting data from traffic statistics relying only on the default browser start page, which of course, users can and do change.
Why Is 19.3 The Most Used Version?
Linux Mint 19.3 was released in December last year, and since then, it has evolved to become the most mature version of each package base. Hence, this could be the reason people still prefer the distribution having fewer or no bugs than new releases giving them more features but having bugs.
Another reason for sticking to 19.3 is also a drop of 32-bit ISO for Mint 20. People with a 32-bit system now have to choose the most stable and long-term Mint 19.3 as the new Mint 20 no longer supports 32-bit CPUs.
Speaking of LMDE, Clem Lefebvre says that it’s developed as a plan B in case we need to switch package base one day. Hence, as of now, it doesn’t get point-releases and is also not promoted or given the same exposure as Ubuntu edition.
LMDE does not have the purpose of competing with Linux Mint or attracting new users. Instead, it’s just a strategically important project that aims to ensure Linux Mint continues in case something goes wrong with the upstream Ubuntu package base.
While Microsoft is taking forever to bring the Surface Duo to market, a restless fan who currently owns an 11″ iPad Pro decided to take things into his own hands.
A Twitter user who goes by the name Joshua The Son of Nun used the 3D printer at his home to recreate a model of Microsoft’s upcoming dual-screen PC. Of course, it won’t ever turn on, but it’s enough to give an idea of how the device will feel in the hands.
Until now, Surface Duo has only appeared in leaks and social media accounts of Microsoft employees testing the device.
Here’s how the Surface Duo clone was created
Joshua first posted the image of his home-made Surface Duo last week when it was merely a pair of blocks combined using a tape. Later Joshua compared his creation to a Moleskine notebook.
So, since I have a 3d printer, and just for the heck of it, I printed some blocks the size of the Surface Duo and connected them with packaging tape. (Just to get a rough feel for the size in my hands) pic.twitter.com/MxZVqp8MWA
On Wednesday, the fan came up with an updated version of his 3D-printed Surface Duo, which he gave “an unintentionally crappy paint job.”
But this time, he used resin for the updated design so that he could 3D print smaller parts like the hinges. The hinges allow his Surface Duo clone to fold three-way around, much like the actual dual-screen PC.
The replica is complete with Microsoft logo on both panels, although blurred, and looks quite impressive considering the early limited efforts; he proudly flaunted the Surface Duo model sitting alongside his PC setup.
For reference, the Surface Duo clone is a little shorter in height when placed alongside the OnePlus 7 Pro.
Microsoft has been developing the dual-screen PC for years and it showcased the Windows 10X-powered device on the stage in 2019. As per reports, Surface Duo has reportedly passed Bluetooth SIG and FCC certifications. Also, the device is being teased by MS employees more than ever these days.
So, speaking of the release date, the Surface Duo is expected to arrive sometime in the last week of August, according to Window Central’s Zac Bowden. He tweeted that production of the dual-screen device has begun.
Continuing its legacy, Netflix is one of the most loved OTT platforms in the times of pandemic. The streaming service has witnessed a surge of more than 20 million subscribers since the first quarter of 2020, taking the total number of subscribers to 182.9 million.
In India, Netflix offers various streaming plans that you can purchase as per your requirement. For example, you can choose between the basic plan that offers a single screen or the premium plan that offers four screens at a time. You can also decide whether you want to have the mobile plan only or a standard plan that allows you to stream the shows on desktop too.
Here we have curated the list of Netflix India Plans with the offered benefits so that you can easily choose the most appropriate one for yourself.
You can sign up for any of these Netflix plans using this link.
The Mobile-only plan
Netflix’s Mobile-only plan is probably the most pocket-friendly plan offered by the platform. You have to pay an amount of Rs 199 monthly for a mobile-only Netflix subscription.
As the name suggests, you will not be able to watch your favorite Netflix shows on your desktop or smart TV. The plan is especially for the millennials who spend most of their time on smartphones and have no issues in watching Netflix on a small screen. You also can’t stream Netflix in HD or Ultra HD quality in this plan.
The Mobile-only plan can be termed as one of the best Netflix India plans as it’s cost-efficient and suitable for solo binge-watchers.
Download Content: 1 Device
Netflix Basic Plan
The Basic plan is available at Rs 499 per month. This Netflix subscription lets you watch movies and TV shows on a big screen, including desktops or a smart TV.
Apart from the big screen advantage, the plan is similar to the Netflix plan for mobile devices as it also allows a single screen for the user. Additionally, the Basic plan also lacks HD and Ultra HD streaming.
Download Content: 1 Device
Netflix Standard Plan
With this Netflix plan, you can watch content two different screens simultaneously. The Standard plan is available at Rs 649 per month and provides Netflix streaming on a variety of smartphones, tablets, PCs, and TVs.
The best part about the Netflix standard monthly subscription is that you watch the content in HD quality.
Download Content: 2 Devices
Netflix Premium Plan
The Netflix Premium plan allows you to stream the content available on the platform on four different streams simultaneously. The premium plan is available at Rs 799 per month. The premium plan is the best fit for families or friends wanting to cut down on monthly expenses.
The best part about the premium plan is that it offers all the features mentioned in other plans. In addition to that, Netflix offers Ultra HD content streaming in this subscription which makes it stand out of the crowd.
So, these are the Netflix plans in India that you can subscribe to without any hassle. However, you have to keep it in mind that Netflix Ultra HD streaming demands a set of things, including minimum data speeds, a top-notch processor, and much more. So, If you are going to opt for the premium plan for Ultra HD streaming, then you need to check out the minimum requirements for that.
New Mobile+ Netflix Plan Under Testing
In addition to the options mentioned above, Netflix is also testing another low-cost price tier in India called Mobile+. The new plan will offer all Netflix SD and HD titles at just Rs 349/month, and you will be able to stream them on your smartphone, tablet, or PC.
However, the streaming giant won’t support the Mobile+ subscription for TVs, which is one major difference from the Standard plan. We’ll provide more details once the Mobile+ plan goes official.
FAQs
Which Netflix plan is best in India?
You can opt from any of the four different Netflix plans available in India. However, the best plan depends on your requirement. For example, if you just want to stream Netflix on your mobile phone, then the mobile-only method will be most suitable for you. If you want a big screen, then you can go for the basic plan. If you want two or more screens with HD or 4K resolution, then the standard and premium plans can be the best fit for you.
Can two people watch Netflix at the same time?
Yes, two people can stream Netflix on different devices with the Standard Netflix subscription. You can have up to 4 screens at the same time with a Netflix Premium plan.
How do I pay for Netflix?
You can pay for Netflix using various payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. You can also buy a Netflix gift card to pay for the subscription.
How to avail Netflix yearly plan in India?
Well, the straight answer to this is that you cannot avail Netflix yearly subscription in India right now or anywhere else. You can anyway choose from the available monthly subscription plans.
How to get Netflix for free?
There is no way you can access Netflix for free for a lifetime. However, if you are a new user, then you can get a free one month trial period on Netflix.
Apple’s latest iOS 14 is currently undergoing public beta testing. Among the many features, iOS 14 has something called the “Back Tap,” or also known as the iOS 14 double-tap feature.
The back tap feature enables the user to open apps or perform system actions such as opening the camera or taking a screenshot with a double or triple tap on the back of the phone.
MIUI 12 “Back Tap” Feature
Xiaomi is now also planning to implement the back tap feature, according to code spotted by an XDA member Kacskrz in the latest MIUI 12 beta builds. The feature is in the development stage, but it appears to work similarly to the iOS 14 back tap feature. Under the button shortcuts, Kacskrz was able to discover the “Back Tap” settings.
As of now, the list of shortcuts includes taking a screenshot, turning on the torch, opening the control center, opening notification shade, and launching the camera. However, Xiaomi may add more shortcuts given the feature is still in the beta phase.
Source: XDA
A lot of details surrounding the feature are still unknown, for instance, when it will reach MIUI 12 users, if at all. Will it support all devices or only high-end devices? Also, will it arrive globally or only be limited to MIUI 12 users in China?
While there are a lot of questions unanswered, one thing for sure is that Xiaomi users, or even all Android users, can get the feature right now.
How to get the iOS 14 Back Tap feature on any Android device?
The Android community never ceases to amaze me. A developer named Kieron Quinn has managed to port the Back Tap feature through his app called “Tap, Tap.”
The app, still in its beta phase, brings the feature to all Android devices running Android 7.0 or higher. The app uses onboard accelerometer and gyroscope sensors and machine learning to detect the double tap on the back of the device. Here’s how to get started –
Go to the Accessibility settings, tap on more Downloaded services, and toggle the Accessibility service on Tap, Tap.
In the app, go to “Actions” to choose the action for the double-tap.
Go to “Gates” to block the gesture in situations like when on a call, or when the display is off.
Quinn is planning to add more features, for instance, allowing users to set the double-tap function’s sensitivity. As of now, the triple tap is not available in the app. However, the developer may add it in the future. Check out Tap, Tap Github page to know what is going under the hood.
Just a few days back, Ubisoft moved its free-to-play Battle Royale game, Hyper Scape, to Open Beta. Players are desperately waiting for a full release of the game and it looks like the wait for Hyper Scape is finally over as the game finally has an official release date.
Ubisoft confirmed that ‘Hyper Scape’ will release for PC, PS4, and Xbox One on August 11. Also, PC players will have access to the Open Beta of Hyper Scape until August 2. The game will then return to the PC on the official release date.
Hyper Scape will kick off its Season 1 with the launch. The first season, called ‘The Kudos,’ will introduce a new weapon, a new hack, new limited-time game modes, a 100-tier Battle Pass, and much more.
Hyper Scape Season 1 starts August 11!
Our first season introduces a new weapon, a new hack, new limited-time game modes, a 100-tier Battle Pass, and more.
Oh, and did we mention that Hyper Scape Season 1 is coming to XBOX ONE and PlayStation 4? pic.twitter.com/HneNXHfTMB
Players who have downloaded Hyper Scape in Open Beta, will be able to carry forward their progress when the game releases.
Other than that, Ubisoft will gift 600 Bitcrowns, Hyper Scape’s in-game currency, to players who play the game in Open Beta before August 2.
However, if you don’t feel like playing the game in Open Beta, then you have one more way to claim the Bitcrowns for free; just watch Hyper Scape’s Crowncast-enabled Twitch stream for one hour.
As of now, it’s hard to say how Hyper Scape will perform once it is released. Nevertheless, it is one of the biggest upcoming titles by Ubisoft so the game will most likely live up to players’ expectations.
Since the launch, PUBG Mobile has been fighting against cheaters by introducing several anti-cheat systems in the game. However, cheaters always find some ways to ruin the experience of other players in PUBG Mobile. So, PUBG Mobile has come with a new system to tighten its security against cheaters.
Interestingly, PUBG Mobile’s new anti-cheat system prevents cheaters from using the wallhack in the spectator mode.
PUBG Mobile team found a new sneaky hack while investigating in the Ban Pan security system. In the new hack, players purposely die and then spectate their teammates for the rest of the match. While spectating, these players use wallhacks to inform their teammates about the location of all other players.
Cheat and get the Ban Pan!
Cheaters are NEVER welcome in PUBG MOBILE and we're constantly improving our security systems to tackle new cheats. Check out the updated feature today https://t.co/YdeCgfdOcrpic.twitter.com/vY5K6jZerU
By cheating through the spectator mode, these cheaters used to get away without being detected by PUBG Mobile. That’s why PUBG Mobile decided to introduce the new anti-wallhack feature in the spectator mode.
In the new PUBG Mobile anti-cheat system, spectators won’t see areas that aren’t in the players’ field of view. Before the new anti-cheat system, the spectator system could retain the entire state of the match. However, unlike before, spectators will now only see locations that are in their field of view and not the whole map. So, even if the spectators use wallhack, they won’t be able detect the location of other players.
To be honest, it’s impossible to say that the new PUBG Mobile anti-cheat system will completely get rid of cheaters from the game. However, it’s still good to see that PUBG Mobile is trying hard to ensure a fair gameplay environment in the game.
Google is all set to roll out Pixel 4a, its next budget smartphone, on August 3, 2020, according to a teaser posted on the Google Store.
The message is hidden in a puzzle. You have to tap on the boxes on the webpage until the color matches Google’s logo colors: blue, red, yellow, blue, green, and red.
Google Pixel 4a was initially rumored to launch at the Google I/O conference. However, the online event was canceled thanks to Coronavirus. A few days ago, Google mistakenly posted an image of the Pixel 4A on its official website. It was the first and biggest genuine hint indicating the arrival of Google’s Pixel 4A. Now, it’s only a matter of days before we see what Google has been up to in the hardware game.
Although it is well known from the widely circulated Pixel 4a leaks and rumors, Google has also hinted at a punch-hole selfie camera setup through new images posted on Made By Google’s Facebook and Twitter handles. It is expected that the Pixel 3a successor will be available at $349, and will give a fierce competition to Apple’s iPhone SE.
The Pixel series is quite famous for its outstanding camera specs and features. Expectations are high for the upcoming smartphone made by Google. It will be interesting to see how the Pixel 4a will earn its place on the market and tackle other smartphones available in the same price range.
Tesla is currently the largest manufacturer of electric vehicles in the world. Not only the largest but Tesla’s electric cars are also among the best EVs in the world. In electric cars, a lot depends on the batteries the company is using. Tesla’s electric car battery is considered to be one of the best in the industry. However, Tesla does not entirely produce electric car batteries on its own.
Tesla outsources its electric car batteries from other battery manufacturers. As we know, the largest chunk of the batteries for Tesla is supplied by Panasonic. Other than Panasonic, LG Chem, and CATL (in China only) are also the major battery suppliers for Tesla.
Tesla is also working closely with Prof Jeff Dahn to further develop battery technology. Prof. Dahn works at Dalhousie University, Canada, and is famous for his excellence in the field of lithium-ion batteries.
Anyway, coming back to Panasonic, as per the recent reports, it’s going to increase the energy density of its “2170” cylindrical NCA (Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminium) cells by 20% over the span of five years.
Panasonic: The Biggest Supplier For Tesla’s Electric Car Battery
Image: Reuters
As mentioned earlier, Panasonic is the biggest battery supplier for Tesla. Initially, Panasonic supplied “18650” cylindrical lithium-ion battery cells. Later, in 2017, the company started supplying new “2170” cylindrical cells to Tesla. Both 18650 and 2170 cells are based on NCA (Nickel-Cobalt-Aluminum) chemistry, however, the new 2170 cells are slightly bigger than the older ones.
At present, only Tesla Model Y and Model 3 use the new 2170 type battery cells while Model X and Model S are still using the old 18650 type cells. The upcoming Tesla Cybertruck and Semi will also come equipped with the new 2170 battery cells.
Panasonic manufactures these 2170-type battery cells at Tesla Gigafactory in Nevada. They have already increased the energy density of 2170-type battery cells by 5%. The company will start producing these battery cells with increased energy density later this year. Furthermore, Panasonic aims to increase the energy density of its 2170-battery cells by up to 20% within five years.
Panasonic Aims To Produce Cobalt-Free Battery Cells
Meanwhile, Panasonic is also trying to reduce the cobalt content in its battery cells. Yasuaki Takamoto, EV battery chief, Panasonic, U.S. told Reuters that the current battery cells use only 5% cobalt in its NCA cathode. Furthermore, in the next two to three years, the company plans to produce cobalt-free batteries.
Though cobalt is an important element in making high energy density batteries, it’s quite expensive and poses some other issues. The Democratic Republic of Congo, being the largest producer of cobalt, supplies it to Panasonic. However, its producers face criticism for human rights violations due to poor safety standards. This makes the extraction of cobalt a controversial and conflicting matter.
On the other hand, a cobalt-free battery is less expensive to produce with no controversies. However, they have low energy density compared to NCA cells. One of the most famous examples of cobalt-fee batteries is LFP (lithium-iron-phosphate) battery cells.
LFP Battery Cells Have A Bright Future
While Panasonic has not revealed the chemistry of its cobalt-free cells, it’s most likely going to be based on LFP cells. Tesla already uses LFP cells in Model 3 in China.
Tesla has started using LFP battery cells in its China-centric Model 3 and these battery cells are provided by CATL.
Apart from Tesla, other automakers like BYD have also developed their in-house LFP battery cells using their own Blade Battery technology. BYD is using these new LFP battery cells in the latest model of its electric car Han, read the full story here.
Well, there is so much going on around electric car batteries with Tesla. We are waiting for Elon Musk to tell us more about ‘Tesla Battery Day’ which will be held on 22nd September 2020. Till then, we’ll keep updating you about any news regarding Tesla’s electric car batteries.
The notorious TrickBot malware made a name for itself in 2019 when it started carrying out illegal activities including, credential theft, stealing personal information, Windows domain infiltration, and also acted as a malware dropper.
Up until now, TrickBot was known as a multi-purpose Windows malware with several modules affecting the operating system, but now one of the modules of the TrickBot framework dubbed “Anchor_DNS” has been ported to infect Linux devices. Anchor_DNS usually targets high-value systems to steal valuable financial information.
A security researcher named Waylon Grange, from Stage 2 Security, discovered that Anchor_DNS is ported to a Linux version called ‘Anchor_Linux.’ With evolution, the Linux version of the malware can target several IoT devices, including routers, VPN devices, and NAS devices running on Linux.
As analyzed by Advanced Intel’s Vitali Kremez, Anchor_Linux uses the following crontab entry to run every minute once installed:
*/1 * * * * root [filename]
Anchor_Linux TrickBot Malware
It has been discovered that the module cannot only act as a backdoor to infect Linux devices by dropping malware but also contains an embedded Windows TrickBot executable. Intezer, who found a sample of Anchor_Linux malware, says that it is a new “Lightweight backdoor with the ability to spread to neighboring Windows boxes using svcctl via SMB.”
[1/3]
We detected a new Linux #Trickbot sample:https://t.co/cLOuBQZHII
"anchor_linux" – anchor_dns on Linux.
Lightweight backdoor with ability to spread to neighboring Windows boxes using svcctl via SMB.
Interestingly, with Anchor_Linux, bad actors can target non-Windows environments and pivot to Windows devices on the same network. Speaking to Bleeping Computer, Kremez said:
“The malware acts as covert backdoor persistence tool in UNIX environment used as a pivot for Windows exploitation as well as used as an unorthodox initial attack vector outside of email phishing. It allows the group to target and infect servers in UNIX environment (such as routers) and use it to pivot to corporate networks.”
How to check if your system is infected by Anchor_Linux malware?
Security researchers say that Linux users can check if Anchor_linux has targeted their system by searching for the “/tmp/Anchor.log” file. If such a file exists, it is recommended that Linux users must scan the system for the notorious malware.
The security researchers believe that Anchor_Linux is still in initial stages, and it will continue to evolve, making it more harmful for systems.
For over a decade, Denver-based Linux PC vendor System76 has sold some of the best Linux laptops and desktops. As the company has already entered its Phase 3, it is now implementing what it aims — in-house product design and manufacturing.
Starting with the in-house hand-crafted Thelio desktops, then Ubuntu-based Pop!_OS, and after announcing its own Linux laptop, System76 is now working on manufacturing its own custom keyboard.
Unsurprisingly, the upcoming System76 keyboard will be designed to work seamlessly with the Linux-based Pop!_OS operating system. The keyboard will feature three key sizes in the design: 1U (letter/number keys), 1.5U (tab keys), and 2U (shift keys).
And to avoid traditionally long space bars, the System76 keyboard will have the space bar broken into two 2U keys. Along with variation in key sizes, you will be able to physically change the key location on your keyboard to build a new layout.
For instance, you can put Space and Backspace next to each other to have both common keys easily accessible under your thumbs. With a redesigned and customizable keyboard, you can smoothly interact and command your computer.
As you may know, the latest Pop!_OS 20.04 was released months ago with one of the most exciting keyboard-driven extension — Pop!_Shell. Featuring new keyboard shortcuts and automatic window tiling, you can control the current Pop OS 20.04 without touching your mouse.
Now pairing Pop OS Auto-Tiling and keyboard shortcuts with the new official System76 keyboard, you can have fast navigation and easy workspace organization to ensure high efficiency and smooth workflow.
Going further, System76 will also release a software application alongside the keyboard that will let you configure your new layout easily. Furthermore, you can use the same layout on both your laptop and desktop having System76 Embedded Controller Firmware.
I guess you must now be very curious to know when you’ll get a chance to plug in and play with the new System76 keyboard. Well, it is still under the prototyping phase, and System76 has not yet hinted at any release date or even an official name.
Though it will definitely take some time to complete, the wait would be worth it.
As per the latest figures revealed by the analyst firm Canalys, the Chinese company Huawei has now become the world’s biggest smartphone manufacturer, outperforming Samsung and other brands. Huawei has reached the top position for the first time, and the success comes amid the US ban that the company has been facing for quite some time now.
Huawei managed to sell around 55.8 million devices in Q2 2020, which comes with a 5% year-over-year (YoY) decline. On the other hand, Samsung shipped about 53.7 million devices during the same quarter, with a 30% YoY decline.
If it wasn’t the US ban, Huawei might have tasted success months earlier. The Chinese smartphone giant has lost over 27% of its overseas shipments but regained 8% in mainland China.
A big aid for Huawei has been the quick recovery in the Chinese market after the Coronavirus lockdown. Although the pandemic has its rooted in Wuhan, China, the nation has managed to get back on its feet and reopen factories.
As of Q2 2020, around 70% of Huawei’s sales now come from China. Meanwhile, Samsung barely has a 1% market share in China and faced sales drops in its markets, including Brazil and India, due to the lockdowns.
In other words, Huawei’s success is more because of Samsung’s decline than the increase in sales numbers, as it’s visible from the graph. Still, being in the No. 1 position is bound to boost Huawei’s moral, and the company could use it to lure the investors.
However, Canalys analyst Mo Jio suggests that the top position would be hard to sustain once the global economy recovers if Huawei only relies on the home market. The race is already harder for the Chinese smartphone giant as it can’t preload Google services on its devices — a major deal-breaker for many users.
CCleaner is one of the most popular apps to declutter and clear invalid Windows Registry entries in the Windows operating system. As per a report from 2017, CCleaner has more than 2 billion downloads worldwide. However, now, Microsoft has started detecting the popular Windows optimization app as a “Potentially Unwanted App” in Microsoft Defender.
The optimization software/app has been through a tough journey since 2017 when Avast purchased Piriform, the company behind CCleaner. Notably, in 2019, Microsoft banned CCleaner on the Microsoft Community Forum briefly as it considers the functioning of the app rather obsolete as the operating system already comes with features offered by the app.
In a threat entry issued by Microsoft two days ago, CCleaner has been tagged as PUA:Win32/CCleaner threat. No additional information has been divulged by the Redmond company for the ban.
Speaking to Bleeping Computer, Microsoft has said that the ban is applicable only to free version of the app as it is bundling “other” software and this goes against the regulations of the company.
Piriform, on the other hand, has said that this is a “false positive” and they are working with Microsoft to resolve the issue.
Meanwhile, Microsoft says, “Our potentially unwanted application protection aims to safeguard user productivity. We detect instances anytime software offers to install other software that is not developed by the same entity or not required for the software to run, no matter the third party.”
In a support document from 2018, Microsoft has mentioned that software or apps that intend to modify registry entries could affect the stability of the operating system.
Nonetheless, CCleaner is now a ‘Potentially Unwanted App’ from Microsoft’s end and therefore, it would be unsafe to use it further.
Telegram, known as one of the safest instant messaging apps, has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple in Europe. In a complaint filed at the European Union Commission, creators of Telegram messenger said that Apple should allow iOS users to download Telegram from outside sources. As of now, iOS users can only download the app via the App Store.
Telegram’s antitrust complaint against Apple also mentions how the instant messaging firm was stopped from rolling out a gaming platform on the Apple Store because it supposedly violated App Store rules, according to the Financial Times. Telegram’s creators ditched the entire project as they were scared of Telegram, “being deleted from the App Store.”
This comes after Telegram founder Pavel Durov recently targeted Apple in a blog post. The post describes a list of seven myths that Apple uses to justify the 30% commission it gets on the app hosted on the App Store.
This is not the first time that a company has filed an antitrust complaint against Apple. Previously Rakuten and Spotify have also complained to the EU regarding the policies of the Apple App Store.
Apple is already under EU’s radar after the commission demanded a standard charging port for all the devices in the market. Apple responded to the EU’s statement and said that it would kill innovation. However, the EU is all set to pass a regulation that will force smartphone manufacturers to have a standard charging port by the third quarter of 2020.
You don’t necessarily need to have bulky scanners and printers to scan essential office documents.
As most smartphones pack a good camera nowadays, you can scan documents in high quality using any one of the best document scanner apps below. Moreover, scanning PDFs with your phone can be a faster process than using a desktop scanner.
A few advantages of popular Android scanner apps are that they let you access documents from the cloud, have powerful editing features, and some even come with OCR (Optical Character Recognition) support. We have compiled a list of the best scanner apps for Android.
12 Best Android Scanner Apps (2020)
Adobe Scan
Google Drive Scanner
Clear Scanner
Office Lens
vFlat Mobile Book Scanner
Photo Scan by Google
TinyScanner
TurboScan
Smart Doc Scanner
Fast Scanner
Scanbot
Notebloc
1. Adobe Scan
Adobe Scan allows you to scan any notes, forms, documents, receipts, images, and convert them to PDF files. It is simple and effective to use. Once you point your phone’s camera at the document you want to scan, it will automatically recognize and scan the document.
It even permits you to reorder the pages as needed, and you can also color-correct any of the pages. Also, there is built-in OCR that let’s you reuse scanned content. You can also scan multiple pages and put them in a single PDF file.
Furthermore, the document scanner app allows you to send your scanned files via email or upload them to the cloud. Overall, Adobe Scan covers almost all the essential features. The best part about the app is that Adobe Scan is entirely free with no ads.
Why should I install Adobe Scan?
Supports multiple pages scanning into a single file.
Allows color correction and cleanup for any stains or creases in the scanned documents
At first, I was surprised to know that the Google Drive app for Android has an inbuilt option to scan documents. While this tool isn’t as feature-rich as the other Android scanner apps on this list, it’s worth giving it a try because many of us already have the Google Drive app installed on your Android smartphone.
To find the scanner option in the Drive app, locate the ‘+’ button in the bottom right corner, and tap on it. It will reveal new options, including the ‘Scan’ option. You’ll now have to grant camera permission for the Google scanner feature to work. The tool has basic crop and adjustment features for the document, color change options, image quality selector, etc.
Why use Google Drive’s scanner?
No need to install any extra app if already have the Drive app
Clear Scan for Android allows you to scan any documents or images directly from your phone quickly. You can convert your scanned documents and images to PDF or JPEG format. This excellent scanner app for Android is lightweight and provides fast processing.
You can print the scanned documents or pictures by using Cloud Print. The free scanner app offers various professional editing features even after saving the images to the gallery. Moreover, you can save multiple pages within one document, reorder pages, set page sizes for PDF, etc. It has cloud support for Google Drive, OneDrive, and Dropbox.
As I mentioned, Clear Scanner is free to download; however, it does come with sometimes obtrusive ads.
Office Lens is a reliable phone scanner app developed by Microsoft for scanning documents and whiteboard images. It can quickly capture any document and convert images to PDF, Word, or PowerPoint files.
It also allows you to save your files to OneNote, OneDrive, or to your local storage. The app is relevant for both business and school purposes. Apart from English, it also works in German, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese.
Office Lens is ad-free and does not contain any in-app purchases.
Why should I install Office Lens?
Quick and easy to operate.
It is productive for both school and business purposes.
As its name suggests, the vFlat Android scanner app aims to be your one-stop solution for scanning books and notes quickly and efficiently. There’s a timer option at the top that allows the app to take pictures regularly, making the process smoother.
In my experience, the 3-second timer worked fine and gave me enough time to turn the pages with the other hand. This way, you don’t need to tap the shutter button again and again after turning the pages.
The scanned pages can be further stitched together in a single PDF document and exported. There’s an OCR option as well, but it comes with a limit of 100 recognitions per day, which is enough, in my opinion.
If you are looking for the best scanner app for Android, not to scan documents but to scan old printed photos, then Photo Scan by Google is the perfect fit for you.
The Android app scans photos in an instant and removes glares, if any, automatically. So, lighting conditions are not something you should worry about; instead, you should focus on finding your old photo album. The app also crops up images based on the edge detection feature.
After scanning the printed images, you can immediately upload them to Google Photos online storage and share them with your friends and family.
Tiny Scanner is a reliable document scanning app for Android that delivers most of the standard features. The app doesn’t require any login before use so you can get started right away.
You can scan documents, receipts, reports, or other files and save them in PDF format. It has support for most of the significant cloud storage services and allows you to print your necessary files within minutes.
Moreover, it has auto edge detection that can help prevent distortion by straightening out the images. The app features five levels of contrast, a quick search by document title, has passcode protection for important files, etc.
Tiny Scanner is ad-supported and has in-app purchases.
Why should I install Tiny Scanner?
It is optimized to work fast.
You can scan in color, grayscale, or black and white.
Support for cloud services like Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, etc.
TurboScan is a powerful and fully-featured Android scanner app with a free and paid version. It allows you to scan and share multipage documents in high quality PDFs or JPEGs. It features a “SureScan” mode for very sharp scans and includes multipage editing features such as page adding, reordering, and deleting.
You can also use this phone scanner app to organize multiple receipts or business cards on a single PDF page. You can open PDFs or JPEGs in other apps like Dropbox, Evernote, Google Drive, etc. or print your necessary documents using Cloud Print.
Turbo Scan is ad-free and offers in-app purchases.
Why should I install TurboScan?
It is lightweight and includes almost all the necessary features.
Smart Doc Scanner covers many essential features for document scanning. It has support for OCR to read text from images in more than 40 languages and also includes spelling checks. You can set page size, enable batch-scanning mode for multi-page documents, and a lot more features. It also comes with crop and zoom features to scan pages in a better way.
The document scanner app supports output in almost all the popular image formats such as JPEG, PNG, BMP, GIP, and WebP. It is also integrated with Dropbox, Google Drive, and other cloud storage options.
The app doesn’t display ads and offers in-app purchases.
Why should I install Smart Doc Scanner?
It is lightweight.
Has an intuitive interface to allow users to scan rapidly
Fast Scanner is another reliable document scanning app that features most of the typical functions. It allows you to scan any document, export them to PDF or JPEG format, add multiple edits to scanned documents, etc. You can also add new pages or delete existing pages within the file. Moreover, you can print your documents using Cloud Print.
Another popular choice for the best document scanner apps is Scanbot, often used as an alternative to Office Lens and Adobe Scan since it packs more features.
Scanbot is extremely quick to scan the documents, and users can save the scan as PDF or JPG. Other than document scans, it also features QR code scanning and bar code scanning.
Scanbot’s OCR text recognition is outstanding. The scanner app for Android supports several cloud services, including Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, Evernote, Slack, Todoist, and a few more. There is an auto-upload option as well.
Notebloc is one of the best free scanner apps for Android users. Two great things about Notebloc — no watermarks and no sign up required.
On top of that, the app includes OCR for more than 18 different languages. The Android scanner app’s highlight is that it removes any trace of shade in the clicked images.
Other than that, users can scan multiple pages and add them to a single document. In the settings, users can change the page size of the PDF document. The only catch in Notebloc is full-screen ads that seem to pop-up every time you scan a document.
Why should I install Notebloc?
Removes shadows and makes the document look natural
These were our picks for the best Android scanner apps of 2020. But choosing the right one depends on what kind of usage you’re looking for. Whether you want a pre-loaded and easy to use document scanner like Google Drive or Office Lens or, if you want advanced scanners then you might want to go for Clear Scanner, Adobe Scanner, Fast Scanner, etc.
Don’t forget to check out our other Android apps lists:
Despite being more affordable than Hyundai Creta, the once heavy hitter Maruti Suzuki Brezza has been struggling to gain ground in terms of sales for the past few months. The nationwide lockdown and COVID-19 pandemic have adversely affected the automotive sector in the past few months. However, the sales chart for cars in India is rising up slowly now. One of the cars emerging right now in terms of sales figures is the new Hyundai Creta taking the lead over the best selling cars like Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Baleno.
Both Hyundai Creta and Maruti Vitara Brezza are among the most popular compact SUVs in India. However, despite being costlier, the sales figure of Hyundai Creta is far better than the Maruti Suzuki Brezza post-COVID-19 outbreak.
It seems that the new Hyundai Creta, launched just before the lockdown, is leading the pack in terms of sales.
The South Korean automaker announced yesterday that Creta achieved a record booking of over 55,000 in the last four months. Meanwhile, its counterpart, compact SUV Brezza, performed rather poorly.
Here’s a table showing the number of new Creta and Brezza sold in the months of May and June 2020.
Car Name
Sale In May 2020
Sale In June 2020
Hyundai Creta
3,212
7,207
Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza
572
4,542
To analyze why there is such a huge difference between the sales figures of these two cars we have prepared a report.
5 Reasons Why Hyundai Creta Outsold Maruti Brezza
Image: Hyundai
Multiple Engine Options In Hyundai Creta
Unlike Maruti Brezza, the new Hyundai Creta is available in multiple engine options. In total there are three engine options for Creta namely a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter petrol engine, a 1.4-liter kappa turbo petrol engine, and a 1.5-liter diesel engine.
The 1.4-liter turbo petrol is the most powerful engine with an output of 138 BHP whereas the 1.5-liter petrol and 1.4-liter diesel engines produce 113 BHP respectively.
In contrast, as Maruti stopped the production of diesel engines, Brezza is available only with petrol engines. Also, there is no turbo variant of Maruti Brezza. Currently, a naturally aspirated 1.5-liter engine with an output of 103 BHP powers the Maruti Brezza. However, Brezza is only available with an additional hybrid engine.
Thus, customers have more options to choose from in the case of Hyundai Creta while there are limited options with Maruti Suzuki Brezza.
Updated Look Of New Hyundai Creta
Image: Hyundai
Whether it be a car, a gadget, or any machine, everyone likes updates especially when it comes to design. Similar is the case with the new Hyundai Creta. With a refreshed look and feature updates, the new Hyundai Creta is more preferable now.
The new sleek LED headlights, sharp design, and dual-tone alloy wheels make Creta sportier than ever before.
On the other hand, Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza is still due for such a significant design and features update.
Advanced Connectivity And Music System
Image: Hyundai
On the center console, the new Creta features a 26.03 cm HD infotainment screen equipped with Blue Link connectivity. Along with this, it offers more than 50 advanced connectivity features, including voice-enabled smart Sunroof and much more.
Additionally, you can also download the app on your smartphone or smartwatch to monitor your car from anywhere. Apart from this, the new Creta features eight Bose speakers for the ultimate sound experience.
In comparison, Maruti Brezza is equipped with its SmartPlay audio system with basic features like USB, Bluetooth, and Aux connectivity. Furthermore, it has a four-speaker music system.
Tons Of Additional Features
Image: Hyundai
The new Hyundai Creta is a feature-loaded modern age SUV that can easily attract the masses. This South Korean compact SUV offers plenty of features like a Smart Panoramic Sunroof, Auto Healthy Air Purifier, Paddle Shifters, Tyre Pressure Monitoring Control (TPMS), and much more.
Apart from this, one of the most highlighted features is its 17.78 cm Supervision instrument cluster that displays all the necessary information.
Hyundai Creta With CVT (Dual Clutch Transmission)
Image: Hyundai
The petrol variant of Hyundai Creta comes is offered in manual and intelligent variable transmission (IVT) and DCT (Dual-Clutch Transmission). Paddle Shifters are available on IVT and DCT that allow the driver to change gears manually with just a touch of a finger.
Meanwhile, in the Diesel variant of Hyundai Creta, a manual and AMT is on offer. The AMT version also gets paddle shifters.
Furthermore, the automaker has also provided different driving modes for a better driving experience. Maruti Brezza misses out on most of these features. It’s simply available with manual and a 4-speed automatic transmission.
In the end, we would like to say that although Hyundai Creta is a bit more expensive than Maruti Brezza, it outperforms the latter in every aspect. All things considered, Creta is indeed one of the best options in the market right now.
Do share your views in the comments section below on which do you think is a better option?
