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‘Motorola Edge’ Will Be The Mobile Giant’s Entry In The Flagship Market With a 108MP Camera

The new Motorola Edge is coming to India. Prashanth Mani, Motorola India Head, announced through a tweet on 25th April 2020. Motorola is back in the flagship market. The company has many expectations from the line-up.  Launching a primary flagship device, along with a cheaper alternative, is sort of a trend among manufacturers. We saw it Samsung, Oneplus, Apple and now Motorola. Without further ado, let us jump straight into the article.

As the name suggests, both the devices have a beautiful edge-to-edge display. The exterior of the mobile phone is simply pleasing. Remember the screen implementation in the Samsung Galaxy Edge series? Well, it is pretty much the same implementation. We see a screen wrapped around the sides of the phone, with a little bezel at the top and the bottom. Not only does this make the device look cooler, but it also comes with some handy gestures that one can access while interacting with the edge of the screen.

Motorola Edge, the entry-level flagship

Motorola Edge is the less expensive version, the base model for the line-up. Powered by Snapdragon 765G, the device is 5G capable. The device comes with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. A 6.7”, 90Hz AMOLED display (1080 x 2340) produces vivid colors and has excellent viewing angles. The device stands taller than it is broad, with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. The beauty of the device is the falling side bezels, which can be turned on or off. 

While the front camera is a 25MP single shooter (placed in a punch-hole display), the rear panel houses a triple camera setup—a primary 64MP shooter, coupled with an 8MP telephoto lens and a 16MP ultrawide lens. Standard performance here, you can shoot 4k videos at 30fps and 1080p videos at 60fps. Stereo speakers enhance audio performance. A 4500 mAh battery can last easily throughout the day.

Motorola Edge+, the flagship from Motorola

While the screen size and refresh rates remain the same, you can stream HDR10+ content in this model. It has a top-of-the-line Snapdragon 865 processor (5G inbuilt). Out of the box, it comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. The device runs on a 5000 mAh battery that might last you for two days in a row. We also get wired fast charge support, and a 15W wireless charging support. You can also reverse charge a device at 5W.

The selfie camera remains the same. A better quad-camera system is what we see at the rear. The primary sensor measures at whopping 108MP, along with an 8MP telephoto lens and a 16MP wide-angle lens. The fourth lens is a time of flight sensor. 

Both the devices house Corning Gorilla Glass 5. Motorola is known to produce well-built smartphones. The pricing is what you must consider before getting your hands. The Motorola Edge will be priced at around 650USD, making it an affordable flagship experience. The Motorola Edge+ would be priced at 999USD, putting it right in the top tier category.

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News Smartwatches

Best Fitness Trackers You Can Buy To Keep Up With Your Health – Check Price

When it comes to gadgets, even the teeny tiny pieces of technology entice us. And it is pretty exciting what these gadgets can do. Every person has a favourite gadget. And it is always some concept behind the success of a product. Some fancy their smartphones. Some like to have the latest headphones. And for people like me, fitness trackers or smartwatches are very interesting. The idea that it looks like a regular watch, but does stuff that is quite futuristic, is what has made the concept so successful. Some latest models can even imitate the dial on your favourite old quartz watch. 

A fitness tracker does not only track your movement

  • They are capable of measuring your heartbeat
  • They can identify different types of movements. The latest models  might measure your cardio and weight training separately
  • They can remind you to drink water, or wake you up in the morning
  • You can check your notifications, get weather updates, control your Bluetooth device on the go. I control my music from MI Band 4 while listening to it on the JBL C100TWS. Both are connected simultaneously to my phone
  • The top tier products also allow you to interact with the device with your voice. You can also pick up a call on your smartwatch(with the in-built microphone) and listen to your favourite song(with the built-in speaker)
  • Fitness trackers can also observe your sleep and movement patterns. Some can even predict an adverse health condition
  • If you decide to invest in an expensive product, you can do almost everything that you do on your smartphone

As fascinating is what these devices can do, it might be challenging to decide which one is right for you. Almost all the known brands have some products in this category. Few offer better-built quality and more accurate results. Others come in appealing colors. Depending on the amount that you have decided to spend, here are some recommendations.

Starting from the budget-friendly models

MI BAND 4 – 2400INR

  • The build quality is pretty good. The strap is made of silicone and is comfortable on the hand.  You get an interactive interface, with a 0.95” AMOLED screen(120 x 240 RGB). The panel also helps the band lasting through more than 20 days at a single charge, as it consumes very little juice. 
  • The band is capable of measuring the calories your burn, the distance you walked, steps, and even your heartbeat. You can take it with you on pool parties or swims without any worries. The capsule is 5 ATM water-resistant.
  • Other features include a dedicated screen for controlling your music. I appreciate that they put a brightness setting into the device. You can adjust it according to you. The vibrations are decent. The display differentiates well between colors.

You can also set a wallpaper that might have any image on your mobile phone, owing to the AMOLED coloured display.

FITBIT INSPIRE – 6000 INR

  • Build quality is reliable. The simple form factor is for those who do not want a fancy looking device. The fitness tracker is pretty good at what it does. Fitbit is one of the oldest in business. Their devices are one of the most accurate ones available. You can do pretty much everything that you could do on the last listing. 
  • You can see call, text and app notifications from your smartphone. The mobile application has a feature called Fitbit Coach, which offers step-by-step instructions for your favourite workouts. We get a 0.98” rectangular b/w display.

HUAMI AMAZFIT PACE – 9999INR

  • The circular form factor is very comfortable for all-day-long use. The bezels are made of high-quality ceramic, and the strap is made with silicon. The device feels sturdy and the red-black colour scheme is unique.
  • You get a 1.34”(320 x 300) display. Owing to its transflective quality, the screen gets brighter when viewing in sunlight or bright lights. It lasts for about 11 days on a single charge. For the features it offers, the battery life is decent. Customisable watch faces are very appealing.
  • All the notifications from your phone will appear on the smartwatch. You can take for a swim or shower as the watch is IP67 rated. It also has an inbuilt barometer. The watch also houses a GPS module, so that you can track your movements in real-time.

HUAWEI WATCH GT(46mm) – 14999INR

  • The chassis has a 1.39” AMOLED display. It comes with a Kirin A1 processor and 2GB of RAM. A total of 2.2GB out of 4GB is available for the user to use as internal storage. The bezel-less design is eye-catchy. The screen is capable of producing brilliant and sharp colors. You get to see the notification from all applications, and the larger display adds to the experience. You can customise from the watch faces as well.
  • You get inbuilt mic and speaker in the watch, which is of decent quality. This means that you can reply to messages and pick up calls using your watch. It connects with your smartphone via Bluetooth 5.1 and is GPS enabled. Battery backup on this one is around 5 days.
  • The watch has multiple modes that can track movements such as running, swimming, cycling, and more. Heart rate detection is like the standard feature of a fitness tracker, and it is present here. You can use the stress relaxing feature, in which the watch guides you to breathing exercises.

Samsung Galaxy gear comes for a similar price, but HUAWEI WATCH beats it in terms of quality and features.

APPLE WATCH 3 – 20900INR

  • The smartwatch line-up from Apple is a bit on the expensive side. Well, so are other products from the company. The 1.68”(312 x 390) square Retina Display is pleasing to the eyes. Colour production is just amazing, like on a smartphone. The design is robust and the product feels premium. The body is made with high-quality aluminium.
  • The battery lasts you for a day. You have to charge it daily, just like your phone. The watch runs on Apple’s Watch OS. You can listen to music and interact with Siri using the inbuilt mic and speaker. You can access your iPhone through the watch. It comes with an internal memory of 8GB and runs on a dual-core processor 
  • You have all the general measurements, with the minimum margin of error in this list. You can also measure calorie intake with the help of a mobile application. Though it runs on Bluetooth 4.2, it is not a bad option considering the price point. The best in this list, and the most expensive one as well.

Apple’s voice to text implementation is probably the best when it comes to smartwatches

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How To Properly Disinfect Your Mobile Device Without Ruining It

IPhone SE2

The outbreak of the Corona Virus has led to many changes in our lifestyle so far. We are washing our hands all the time, sanitizing the packages of packages items and using all kinds of disinfectants. While you are busy cleaning the other surfaces in your house, your mobile phone might become a home for harmful germs and bacteria. And while people overlook this possibility most of the time, the pandemic has forced people into putting thought. 

Our phone is something that stays with us the whole time. Think about it; you take a shower every day, you change your clothes, your bed sheets and everything. But what about your mobile phone? Throughout its life, your smartphone has to run in the same body, with the same components. Several studies show that smartphone screens are prone to be infected by germs, as it is exposed to many things. Sanitizing or disinfecting your smartphone might be tricky. What might seem to clean it might harm your device in the long run. 

Let us discuss the things that you should not be doing

  • Do not clean your smartphone’s screen with hand sanitizers. Any higher than 70% of isopropyl alcohol can damage the screen. This would make your mobile phone more prone to scratches and dirt. 
  • Do not clean your phones while they are charging. There are chances that the liquid might get inside and hamper the circuitry of your device.
  • Window cleaners, kitchen cleaners, detergents, antiseptic liquids. All can harm your mobile phone screen. Some chemicals can not only harm the surface but can harm the screen components.
  • Some people use compressed air to clean the smartphones. The force can damage the delicate parts of your smartphone.

Let us talk about ways in which our device can be disinfected.

  • Use lint-free, microfiber cloths to clean the screen of your device. If required, use clean water to dampen the cloth. Mobile screens are as delicate as the glasses we wear to correct our vision. Handle them with care. Do not spill the water directly on the screen.
  • Clean the screen with wipes like Clorox or Lysol. These have a perfect combination of chemicals that can disinfect your device, without causing any long term or short term damage. Let the phone dry entirely before you start using it again.
  • Always clean the body of your smartphone, the back panel. People often clean their phones but forget the cover. Remove your cover while doing this. You can use the wipes for cleaning the cover as well. And then clean all the top and bottom panels of your device.
  • You can apply screen guards that are anti-microbial. They prevent the growth of bacteria and germs on your screen. And keep changing them at regular intervals of time.
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News

JBL C100TWS: Honest Consumer Review, You Should Buy It Or Not?

JBL is a known name when it comes to music. The company produces premium quality devices that offer fantastic sound. Millions of people are a fan of the JBL Sound Signature. The right amount of bass coupled with the well-balanced highs and lows. JBL knows how to do it. While products are usually prices towards the higher side, the American sound company is putting together budget-friendly devices for India. You must have seen the previously launched wired earphones that are priced aggressively. Just two months ago, they launched a truly wireless earphone, JBL C100TWS. While it was pretty difficult to get hands-on the device, I somehow managed to order the device. Here is a review that would help you know the device better.

Build Quality And Connectivity Are Not The Plus Points

First, let us talk about the build quality. After getting my hands on some other products in the price range, like SoundCore Liberty and Realme Air, I think that JBL has saved some cost here. The charging case and the earpieces themselves are made with mid-quality plastic. The hinge has some wobble to it. Yet they have a very snuggle fit. The earpieces never fell from my ears, even while casual dancing to some music.

Also, the right earpiece is the primary connector. This means that the right earpiece is the one that connects with your device. JBL has cut corners here as well. You cannot use the left earpiece alone, while the right one is off or in charging.   

The Case Easily Last For 3 Days On A Single Charge 

Talking about the battery life on this one, it is pretty decent. I got around 4 to 5 hours of battery life (from the earpiece) in a single charge. This is a good thing, as you can go through a movie, without the need to charge your device. While watching movies, you might feel that the earpieces are not loud enough. But you may download some third party volume boosters to deal with it. The charging case offers 3 to 4 times of full charge. I usually charge my devices at night, and then enjoy the juice for the whole day.

Sound Quality Is Better Than Its Competitors

Talking about sound quality, they are one of the best options in the price range. Previously I have been using Sennheiser’s wired earphones and the sound quality was just nuts. Comparing it with Noise Shots, Realme Buds Air, I can say that the sound stage is much broader. The bass is a bit emphasized, but the highs and mids compliment it. Overall, they offer pretty good sound quality in the price range that they come. They come with a 5.8mm driver, which might be smaller, but produces superior sound quality.

They connect via Bluetooth 5.0, but the absence of a low-latency mode bugged me. While playing video games, especially Pubg, you might find here a bullet shot after a headshot killed you. The design is pretty good. They look stylish. Call quality is a bit on the average side. While outside, the other party was not able to hear my voice.

All-in-all, if you are running short on budget, and you need to get rid of the daily hazard of untangling your earphones, you can go for these. They are available in two colors, black and white. And are available on Flipkart and the official site for 4000INR.

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Facebook’s $5.7B Investment In Jio Can Take Off Reliance’s Debts

The recent times have been hard on the tech firm around the globe. While companies that are struggling to stand firm through the pandemic, companies like Facebook are making strategic investments. On 21st April 2020, Facebook invested a total of $5.7 billion in Jio, the Indian bases telecom company. This would effectively give a 9.99% stake in Reliance Jio, to Facebook.

“The country is in the middle of a major digital transformation, and organisations like Jio have played a big part in getting hundreds of millions of Indian people and small businesses online,” –  Mark Zuckerberg.

The money is beneficial for Jio

This would not only help Reliance cut the debt, but would also give Facebook an upper hand in a market as vast as India. It is the most significant Foreign Direct Investment in the technological sector. Facebook says that it has done this to support Jio. Jio is a company that not only changed the way all of us use mobile internet, but also the rates at which the internet is provided in the country—being the first to come up 4g services. With more than 400 million users across the nation, Jio is one of the largest telecom companies in the world.

WhatsApp has partnered with Reliance Industries

The deal also includes a partnership between Reliance Retail and Facebook’s WhatsApp. The whole purpose is to support as many as 60 million small businesses that run with the help of WhatsApp. Reliance is willing to incorporate JioMart in the messaging application. India has more than 400 million WhatsApp users and more than 200 million Facebook users. This makes the country very important for Facebook, as far as revenue and business are concerned. The money would help Jio to invest further and offer better services.

“By bringing together JioMart, Jio’s small-business initiative, with WhatsApp, we can enable people to connect with businesses, shop and ultimately purchase products in a seamless mobile experience” – David Fischer, Chief Revenue Officer, Facebook.

In the past, we have seen Jio partner with companies like Microsoft, for providing high-speed internet and cloud storage. Before Jio came into play, Indian telecom companies were providing low-speed internet at a very high cost. The rates were very high. One had to pay 250INR for 1GB 3G data. In the very initial days, Jio provided free internet to all the users. Those made the company incur a considerable debt. Now Jio is offering data at close to 4INR for 1GB.

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Samsung Is Developing 500MP Camera Sensor That Might Beat Human Eye

The company is known for the recent 108MP camera used in S20 Ultra, and they are the first company to do so. With the pixel binning technology, Samsung quickly escalated from 12MP cameras too much larger sensors, and now they are planning to compete with the human eye.

It Is Official Now; We Might See 500MP Camera in Smartphone!

Head of Sensor Business Team, Yongin Park, revealed that Samsung is working on camera sensors that are smaller in size but capable of capturing high-resolution images. He even said that they might match or even exceed the amount of information obtained by a human eye. Using the pixel binning technology, Samsung quickly jumped from 64MP to 108MP and is leading the number since then. If they achieve a working 500MP sensor that fits inside a smartphone, it would be a significant landmark in terms of the development of technology.

Samsung is speeding things up!

Last year in May, Samsung announced its first 64MP camera sensor. It used a 2×2 pixel binning technology. Within less than six months, they raised It to 108MP, using a 3×3 pixel binning technology. Samsung also produces these lenses for other companies as well. Xiaomi’s Mi10 pro comes with a 108MP ISOCELL Bright HMX sensor, which is produced by Samsung.

“Through relentless innovation, we are determined to open up endless possibilities in pixel technologies that might even deliver image sensors that can capture more detail than the human eye” – Yongin Park.

Benefits of a high-resolution camera sensor!

The high-resolution sensors not only capture more detail, but they also perform much better in low lighting conditions.  It would be possible to capture stellar images with our smartphones. Samsung believes in “small pixels, high resolution” technology and they are excelling in it. The 108MP sensor has been criticized by various experts, owing to its inability to change focus between different subjects. Samsung has promised to improve the situation through some software updates in the near future.

What is pixel binning?

Pixel binning is a process of capturing data from different pixels and combining them into one. IT  helps in achieving low noise and a high frame rate. Samsung has used this technology to produce high-resolution sensors. 

The human eye records and processes images in extremely high resolution and speed. Some scientists believe that if we express the resolution of the human eye in terms of smartphones measurements, it would be close to 576 MP. That is huge. An average smart phone’s camera is 12 megapixels. Smartphone companies are dedicating themselves to producing a good quality camera, which fits in a smartphone. 

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News

No Online Electronics Delivery Until 3rd May Says Indian Government

Due to the pandemic, e-commerce websites have suffered a massive loss in the first quarter of the year 2020. Transport is an integral part of these companies. And due to the lockdown, no trucks or buses are allowed to move. Hence, nothing that you order online would be able to reach you. It also sees the influence of the manufacturing of units in Chinese factories. The electronics market has suffered the most. Most of the mobile phone companies have their factories in China, which are shut. The work and supply by companies like Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal and other such firms are limited to essentials. 

The government has made amendments to their last order

In the last couple of days, there came the news that the government has allowed the sales of smartphones and a few other electronics categories. Flipkart even posted a banner and opened the mobile category for purchase. They came up with guidelines for safe delivery. And they also promised that they would start delivering from 20th April, according to the government guidelines. 

E-commerce websites must be upset!

For the whole procedure to work, the delivery vans and trucks also had to take permission from the government. Although that seemed to be profitable for the brands as they have not made any profitable sale so far in this year. It was nullified by the government looking at the current scenario. It was instead a shock for brands like Xiaomi and Realme; they were looking forward to launching some new devices.

The government has taken back its order for the e-commerce companies to function normally from 20th April.

The government has only allowed the sale of essential items 

According to the recent order of the Ministry of Home Affairs, e-commerce companies would not be able to deliver anything but essentials until the lockdown lifts. The official twitter handle also posted a document confirming the same. It is mentioned that the vehicles used by such companies to deliver the essentials would also have to maintain the highest possible hygienic standards. They would not be able to operate without permission.

The latest order is contrary to the previous, where the government allowed the factories for the production of smartphones. All the enthusiasts waiting for new launches have to wait until lockdown lifts in the country. It would be unreasonable to launch products when no one can buy them, especially for brands that have a significant chunk of business from India. The companies that have launched products; OnePlus and Apple have to wait until the lockdown ends, for their sales to begin.

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Elon Musk Replies To Fan Tweets, Updates Everyone About Cybertruck

Elon Musk, in his classic way, replied to some fan tweets recently. The CEO revealed some very exciting news about Cybertruck. We are talking about better off-road functionality with increased dynamic air-suspension travel. Even more, the company is working to shrink the size of the futuristic truck. So that it fits into garages in the US. Lowering the window sill height and leveling the centerline are some of the other improvements that one might get to see in the actual retail unit.

The company does not have a production plant yet

Though Tesla has not set up a factory for production, they say that they are searching for a place to start in the US. The manufacturing and production are planned in late 2021. We would likely see different models, based on power and range travel. The high-end models would be produced first, with the less powerful models scheduled for production in 2022.

Cybertruck completely blew minds at launch!

Remember playing those futuristic video games that invoked the desire to use all the gadgets? Those movies like Men in Black which showcase a tremendous amount of future tech that does not even exist. If you say that you never desired those, you would probably be bragging. Last year, all of us witnessed a revolutionary design. Tesla Cybertruck made thousands of heads turn in the launch event. Some even said it was hard to believe as it looked like some sort of animation or hologram. But the prototype was launched and it worked.

We are talking about a truck that virtually looks like a vehicle from some sci-fi movie. Cybertruck features an electric automobile design. It offers par power and acceleration as the ones that run on conventional fuels. The electric pickup has serious payload capacity and can travel a huge distance with respect to electric cars. The chassis of the truck is carved out of stainless steel. As far as the dimensions are concerned, it has targeted some already popular vehicles, with a seating capacity of six people. But, here is when things start to get interesting. The pricing of the truck might begin around $50,000.

Tesla is also preparing some kind of futuristic Cybertruck housing called Cybunker. The rugged and sharp looks of the pickup make it easy to compare it with a tank. Though at the time of launch, the vehicle received mixed reactions from the public, one cannot deny that it is one step ahead to the future. 

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News

iPhone SE vs. OnePlus Flagship: Which Will Be The Better Option For You?

OnePlus has tried a different thing this time. Instead of making a device in the mid-premium price range, they have gone straight up tier. Both the devices launched are price at par with some of the best smartphones out there. OnePlus 8 Pro costs a whooping thousand bucks. That is not mid-range folks. And this also makes them compete against some top tier products like iPhone 11 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra. Even the lower model starts at 699USD. But, given that the new iPhone, SE(2nd Generation) is out now, and costs only 499USD, it might be a reason to worry. Let’s get straight into it.

The new OnePlus comes with top of the line android spec sheet. They have tried to make it the fast, for their love of speed. But neither the performance nor the design is as good as the price. For this article, we would focus on OnePlus 8.  Here are some reasons to consider.

  • The features that OnePlus is bragging about, the fast charging and official IP certification. They are already available at phones that cost much less than OnePlus 8. The new iPhone is waterproof and supports fast charging as well.
  • The new iPhone comes with A13 Bionic. The chipset is currently powering some of the most expensive and powerful iPhones out there. The computational power is seriously off the charts. We are talking about benchmark scores that even Snapdragon 865 cannot achieve.
  • The new iPhone would have the flagship Apple camera. It is supposed to have the same lens as some premium smartphones in the line-up do. OnePlus has always struggled delivering in the camera department. And it is not only the hardware. Recent uploads from reviewers show red tone in the pictures in all kinds of lighting, and that is not a good sign.
  • There are a lot of people out there who use an older version of iPhone. We are talking about iPhone 6, 6s and even iPhone 7. Essentially the new iPhone is like a no-brainer upgrade for all of them. They get to keep the smaller, compact form-factor that they love, and get updated internals. It’s a win-win situation. A 4.7” Retina display, and TouchID are some of the most successful features of Apple.
  • Last but not least, the pricing of the new iPhone is absolutely insane. You get a brand new iPhone for 400USD, with all the latest features and power. iOS has been more efficient than Android for years now. You can get the same work done on an iPhone with 3GB of RAM, that you would get done on an Android device for 6GB of RAM

While the pandemic has sharply dipped the demand of smartphones, both these launches may be able to cope up with it. 

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PlayStation 4 Owners Are The Happiest; Sony Offering Free Games

Being at home is not so dull when you have a PlayStation and the company is offering you free games. That is right! Sony has announced a “Plat At Home” initiative on 14th April 2020. They are planning to do it in two parts. Firstly, they are giving free games to the PS4 fans, namely Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection and Journey. Secondly, the company is supporting small scale, independent game developers, by dedicating a sum of $10 million, amidst the pandemic.

Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced the initiative 

Social distancing and lockdown is currently the only way to contain the spread of COVID-19. People are stuck in their homes for a long time now. And while some of them are running out of things to kill the boredom, the PlayStation owners might have the brightest smile on their faces. If you own a PS4 and you get a chance to get a free game right now, how would you feel? Excited, happy, thankful or all of the above, it might be a dream for users but it has come true.

Both the titles offered are simply awesome!

Two of the very famous titles are available to download. If you own a PlayStation 4, you can download them from the PlayStation Store. The titles can be downloaded till May 5, 2020. The Nathan Drake Collection consists of three games, enough to keep you occupied for a couple of days. That’s not all; Uncharted 4 would also be available on the store later this month. It would surely be a haven for the series’ lovers.

Both the titles are the best gaming experience

The journey is one of the most celebrated games of the decade. The game has an indie game design, and the visuals and sounds are just fantastic. The life touching message that the game has (the game represents a person’s journey through life), perhaps has more importance than ever. One thing to note here is that, though Sony offers free games to the PlayStation Plus subscribers, you do not need to be one of them to get your hands on these two titles games. PlayStation offers one of the best gaming experiences in the world. The graphics, the controls, the gameplay are all best in class.

Due to any circumstances, if you have not had any experience of either of the two titles, this might be a great opportunity. If you are an independent game developer, stay tuned to official platforms of the company for more information on the fund that they are providing.

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