The year 2020 was a rough year for all those who had active lives. We had to spend most of our time stuck at home to prevent the virus from spreading out. During that forced quarantine, many of us created new habits and hobbies. People have spent countless hours watching movies, playing games, navigating through social media apps, and more. Looking at this demand, brands started to improve the “media consumption” capabilities of their devices, offering better batteries and specifications to satisfy their users’ needs. Today, we’ve elaborated a list of the best top 10 phones for media consumption you can get in February 2021.
Top 10 phones for Media Consumption
The devices in the list are, in our opinion, the best devices for watching Netflix and other streaming platforms such as YouTube, Twitch, and others. Moreover, they also deliver great performance and are ideal for trending apps such as TikTok. So if you’re needing a device that will meet all your “multimedia needs” check out our list with good recommendations.
Redmi Note 9 Pro / Redmi Note 9S / Redmi Note 9 Pro Max
The Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 family was released in the first half of 2020 bringing a decent upgrade over the Redmi Note 8 family. Interestingly, Redmi unveiled the Redmi Note 9 Pro and Redmi Note 9 Pro Max in India first. Then it launched these devices like Redmi Note 9S and Redmi Note 9 Pro in global markets.
The duo of devices has similar specifications, apart from certain upgrades that make the Pro stand out as the king. Under the hood, both devices have the Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G, both have 6.67-inch displays with FHD+ resolution and a 19:5:9 aspect ratio. The punch-hole cutout is placed in the center of the display, it’s not so intrusive while you’re watching movies or playing games.
Both phones also bring capable camera setups. The 9S has a 48MP primary camera, whereas the Redmi Note 9 Pro comes with a better 64MP shooter. The Pro certainly offers better pictures and video footage, but the 9S will not fail on this task. It’s a good device for capturing photos and videos when you don’t want to expend much money in a premium handset.
The icing on the cake here is the 5,020mAh battery. It can ensure several hours of video playback, meaning you can watch multiple episodes of your favorite show on this beast. The 9 Pro will charge in just a couple of minutes thanks to its 33W fast-charging. The 9S will take longer due to its lesser 18W charging.
The device will soon be replaced by the Redmi Note 10 series. However, we believe that that they still deserve a place in our February list of Top 10 phones for media consumption.
POCO M3
The POCO M3 was released in the end of 2020 as a budget offering from POCO. Interestingly, it is the second original device released by POCO not being based on any of Redmi’s existing phones. The device surprised us due to its decent package of specifications and a beefy battery.
The POCO M3 starts with a 6.53-inch display with FHD+ resolution and a waterdrop notch at the top. Under the hood, the phone carries a Snapdragon 662 SoC paired with up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of Internal Storage. This chipset certainly isn’t the best for playing games, but it’s more than enough for media consumption. Especially when the phone has a huge 6,000mAh battery that can offer up to two days of usage. It also charges rapidly enough thanks to 18W fast-charging. Another important characteristic is the Stereo sound that will offer the richest experience while watching movies or listening to music.
The camera department isn’t the most impressive part of the handset. It does bring a capable 48MP shooter but lacks an UltraWide camera. This means that this device isn’t the best for capturing photos of a big group of people.
The device is quite cheap but still offers a lot for its price. For that reason, it deserves a place among the top 10 phones for media consumption.
Redmi 9 Power / Redmi 9T
The Redmi 9 Power is the Indian counterpart of the Chinese Redmi Note 9 4G. It reached global markets as Redmi 9T last month. While based on the Redmi Note 9 4G, the devices have an extra camera ensuring better performance when you enjoy photography.
The Redmi 9 Power is similar to the POCO M3 in terms of specifications. It also carries a 6.53-inch display with FHD+ resolution. Moreover, it also brings a 48MP primary shooter. The main difference is that it does come with an 8MP ultrawide snapper. Another semblance is the 6,000mAh battery complete with 18W charging.
The device has Gorilla Glass 3 and WideVine L1 certification meaning that you can watch your Netflix movies at top-notch quality. The device also has stereo speakers with brings media consumption a level ahead of some competitors.
POCO X3
The POCO X3 was one of the biggest surprises unleashed by POCO last year. The device reached the market in September as POCO X3 NFC. In India, it is known just as POCO X3 since it lacks NFC capabilities. This device is one of 2020’s best value-for-money devices and also is a beast for media consumption due to its high-quality display and a huge battery. It also a powerful handset thanks to the Snapdragon 732G chipset.
The POCO X3 has a 6.67-inch IPS LCD with a punch-hole in the mid serving as a home for the 20MP selfie snapper. Thanks to that resolution, the device is decent for capturing selfies, especially with MIUI 12’s set of optimizations. The biggest icing on the cake of this display is its 120Hz refresh rate, offering a smooth performance while navigating through the UI and websites.
The global variant of the device has a huge 5,160mAh battery, but the Indian variant impresses more with a beefier 6,000mAh unit. Both devices are amazing for watching movies and playing games, you can also use them for several hours while navigating through your social media apps. The Indian variant will have a better battery backup, for obvious reasons. Both handsets charge at the same 33W rate. The device has stereo speakers, so you will have a deeper experience while watching movies or listening to music with this handset.
If you’re here for a camera, the handset also has an impressive setup. Its unusual camera shape brings a main 64MP shooter, a 13MP ultrawide, and two additional 2MP units for macro and depth sensing.
Realme 6 Pro
The Realme 6 Pro is as much old as the Redmi Note 9S / 9 Pro Max family at this point. However, this device has some interesting features that will make it better for some users. The performance will be equal thanks to the Snapdragon 720G, but the display is actually better than that of the Note 9 series. Rather than coming with a 60Hz display like most the mid-range phones in this price point, the Realme 6 Pro was one of the first mid-range devices coming with a 90Hz display. This urged other companies to make a quick transition into the world of high-refresh-rate displays.
The device has a 4,300mAh battery, it will offer decent backup, but it’s not on par with other devices with 5,000/6,000mAh batteries. However, the pricing point and the 90Hz display will make it a good offer.
While there are better Realme options, we think that at its price point, the Realme 6 Pro deserves a place among the top 10 phones for media consumption.
Realme 7 Pro
Realme improved its game a couple of months later with the Realme 7 Pro. The device brings media consumption a level ahead thanks to a gorgeous AMOLED panel with a 90Hz refresh rate. It brings the same Snapdragon 720G but improves in other aspects.
The Realme 7 Pro has a 64MP main camera, coupled with an 8MP ultrawide and two 2MP helpers. This nice setup can capture good photos especially with the nice set of features available on Realme UI. You can capture great videos and pictures and share them on your favorite social media app.
Besides the gorgeous display, the Realme 7 Pro has a bigger 4,500mAh battery. While this isn’t the same capacity as its major rival POCO X3, the Realme 7 Pro outstands most of the devices in this segment due to its 65W fast-charging. So you can watch movies, listen to music for a long time. If you run out without battery juice, you can quickly fill it again thanks to this blazing fast charging tech. This is a level of charging that still isn’t available in certain flagship phones.
Realme X7 Pro
The Realme X7 Pro was released last year in China and made its arrival in India last month. This device seems to be a massive evolution over the Realme 7 Pro. If you need a powerful device, perfect for media consumption, and want to be future-proof, then the Realme X7 Pro will be a nice choice for you.
The handset has a 6.55-inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, it has the 5G-ready MediaTek Dimensity 1000+ chipset that also offers a massive performance increase over devices in the Realme-numbered series. This device can be considered a cost-effective flagship.
It has a 32MP camera for selfie shots, while the rear camera setup remains the same as the Realme 7 Pro. The device also has a 4,500mAh battery with 65W fast-charging. The main difference here is the presence of 50W wireless charging support.
If you can spend a little more in your media consumption needs, then the Realme X7 Pro will be a great option in the Top 10 smartphones for media consumption list. Especially since it will make you ready for the 5G era.
Samsung Galaxy M51
Here we have one of the best options for watching movies, listening to your music, streamings without having to care with your battery. Back in the last year, Samsung introduced the Galaxy M51 as its first 7,000mAh-powered battery. This device easily has the better battery in this list and does not disappoint in the other specifications.
The handset has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution. The only downside is that it has a standard 60Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the phone carries a Snapdragon 730G which offers more than enough performance for media consumption. The device also has capable cameras with a 64MP primary sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, 5MP macro, and a 5MP depth sensor.
The device also has 25W fast-charging, but this isn’t so much when you take the battery’s capacity in the account. Still, this massive battery makes this a winning phone among the top 10 phones for media consumption.
Vivo V20 Pro 5G
The Vivo V20 Pro is one of the best devices for social media consumption due to its package of specifications. First, the handset has a Snapdragon 765G chipset which is one of the best in its category and also ensures 5G connectivity. The device has a 6.44-inch Super AMOLED panel with HDR10 support and FHD+ resolution. The device has a wide-notch solution, but that is for a good reason. It houses a powerful 44MP shooter alongside an 8MP ultrawide sensor. So it’s one of the best devices in the market for taking selfies.
The rear camera also does not disappoint with a 64MP primary shooter, an 8MP ultrawide shooter, and a 2MP macro sensor. The device has a smaller battery in this list with “just” 4,000mAh. However, you can charge it in less than an hour thanks to 33W fast-charging.
Due to its powerful selfie-snappers and one of the best chipset in the market, we believe that the Vivo V20 Pro deserves a place in the Top 10 smartphones for media consumption.
Mi 10T 5G
The Mi 10T 5G isn’t the most affordable device in this list. However, there is a good reason for that since the device has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 chip which is no less than last year’s flagship SoC from Qualcomm. The device flaunts a gorgeous 6.67-inch LCD with a whopping 144Hz refresh rate in tow. It also has a powerful camera setup with a 64MP main camera leading the way, its Pro counterpart has a 108MP sensor.
The device does not disappoint with a 5,000mAh battery complete with 33W fast-charging. This beefier battery and powerful display will provide a stellar experience.
As abovementioned, this handset is expensive, but not too expensive as other devices with Snapdragon 865. If you have enough money, it can be one of the Top 10 phones for media consumption.
Conclusion
And that is our February list of top 10 smartphones for media consumption. Do you have a particular device in mind to add to this list? Feel free to leave it in the comments section. In the next month, we will be bringing the next batch of better devices for consuming media and exploring social media applications.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
