The Indian mobile network operator, Reliance Jio, has been quite successful so far. It has already conquered the feature phone market with its 4G-enabled JioPhone. Now the company is aiming to expand further into hardware with JioBook which is a low-cost, 4G-supported laptop.

JioBook Specifications

JioBook’s firmware was first spotted by XDA , a global developers’ community. According to the report, the “larger-screened device” is expected to run a version of Android OS, most likely to be called JioOS. It will come with a bundle of Jio’s suite of apps accessible through a Jio 4G LTE connection.

XDA found that the prototype for JioBook is currently using Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 665 (sm6125) (which was announced in early 2019). It is an 11nm chipset that features a built-in 4G LTE modem — the Snapdragon X12. So it’s pretty clear that JioBook is likely to provide cellular connectivity through Reliance Jio’s pan India 4G network.

JioBook is expected to feature a 1366×768 resolution display. The test iterations of the JioBook were spotted with 4GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. The laptop will also have a mini HDMI connector, support for Wi-Fi over 2.4 and 5Ghz frequencies, and Bluetooth.

The laptop’s firmware was found to be preloaded with several Jio applications, such as JioStore, JioMeet, JioPages, and Jio’s ad services. But the interesting part is there were several pre-installed apps from Microsoft like Microsoft Teams, Edge, and Office. It’s hard to say if these apps will be shipped on with the final product.

But we know for sure that Reliance is teaming up with China-based firm Bluebank Communication Technology to develop JioBook. Bluebank has already worked with Reliance Jio in the past to develop various devices, including the JioPhones, which run on KaiOS.

JioBook Release Date

The development work on JioBook began in September 2020 and it will most likely continue for the first six months in 2021. The Reliance Annual General Meeting is going to be held around July 2021 and that’s when we are expecting to hear some announcements regarding the release date of JioBook.

According to different reports and speculation, JioBook is expected to release by the end of 2021. But I would suggest taking this information with a pinch of salt and waiting until Reliance decides to provide any official information.

It is also worth pointing out that JioBook may not be the final name of this 4G laptop in India. XDA spotted the “JioBook” branding during the analysis of the PC’s firmware; hence there is no guarantee if this name would end up on the box.

Will JioBook Support Windows?

I have already mentioned above that JioBook was found running a fork of Android OS, so it is unlikely to arrive with Windows OS.

We have another reason to expect the laptop to arrive with Android instead of Windows, and that is — Qualcomm and Microsoft support Windows 10 on ARM only for a handful of chipsets, and Snapdragon 665 SoC is not one of them.

In the picture of the prototype that was spotted during the EVT, or Engineering Validation Test, the keyboard has a Windows key, and it appears to be very basic.

Around mid-April, this prototype will enter the PVT or Product Validation Test stage of the product development cycle. At that point, we will get a better idea of the design, which will be closer to the final hardware. And there are chances that the Windows key will most likely be swapped with a key more suitable for the product and software. However, at this point, we don’t know what it would be.

JioBook Price

We know that whenever JioBook launches, it will be sold at incredibly low prices. However, we don’t know exactly how much that would be. Given Jio’s previous record in India as a mobile network operator and feature phone brand, we can expect the JioBook to attract price-conscious consumers looking to purchase PCs at a lower cost.

Another Stepping Stone Towards Digital India

So far, India has been predominantly a mobile phone market, but the year 2020 and coronavirus changed everything. The new trend of work from home and online classes has escalated the demand for notebooks in the last few quarters.

The opportunity to bring larger screen devices into the hands of millions of new Indian customers has the potential to expand Jio’s digital services. Along with that, it would also help more people get on board the digital India bandwagon.

The post JioBook 4G Laptop: Here’s Everything About Reliance’s New Budget Laptop appeared first on Fossbytes .

In 2017, Nintendo released The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild — one of the most beloved video games of the decade. Of course, every installation of The Legend of Zelda series is outstanding; however, Breath of The Wild hit differently. That’s why millions of Nintendo fanatics are eagerly waiting for Zelda Breath Of The Wild 2.

Officially, Nintendo didn’t reveal much on the development of the Breath of The Wild sequel. However, there are several leaks on Breath Of The Wild 2 release date, story, etc. So, in this post, we’ll mention every piece of information we have on the next Legend Of Zelda game.

Breath Of The Wild 2 Release Date

Nintendo’s Breath Of The Wild 2 will most likely release by the end of 2021 or early 2022. According to Sabi , a well-known leakster, Breath Of The Wild 2 was due for release in 2020, but it was delayed to 2021. Furthermore, there are rumors that Breath Of The Wild 2 will be the launch title of Nintendo Switch Pro, which is also rumored to release in 2021.

Emily Rogers, another reputed leakster, speculated Breath Of The Wild 2 release in 2021. According to Rogers, there are 85%-90% chances of Breath Of The Wild sequel releasing during holiday 2021.

However, it’s important to understand that Nintendo didn’t reveal an official release date for Breath Of The Wild 2. So, it’s best to take this information with a pinch of salt.

Is There Any Breath Of The Wild 2 Trailer?

Nintendo released a short Breath Of The Wild 2 trailer during E3 2019. In the short teaser, we can see Link and Zelda exploring the unknown and mysterious territory and underground chambers of Hyrule. Surprisingly, both Link and Zelda flaunt new haircuts in the trailer. Moreover, we can see the resurrection of a dangerous and creepy warrior, possibly the villain of Breath Of The Wild 2.

At the end of the trailer, there’s a message that says, “The sequel to Legend Of Zelda: Breath of The Wild is in development.” Now, it’s almost been two years since Nintendo released that trailer. So it’s safe to say that we’ll get another Breath of The Wild 2 trailer in a couple of months, possibly with a potential release window.

Is Breath Of The Wild 2 A Prequel?

No, Zelda Breath Of The Wild 2 isn’t a prequel to Breath of The Wild. Last year on November 20, 2020, Nintendo released the Breath Of The Wild prequel, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity. The prequel is set 100 years before Link wakes up in that cave in Breath of The Wild. So, while you wait for Breath of The Wild 2, it’s better to play Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity to follow the story like it is meant to be.

Breath Of The Wild 2 Story

Officially, Nintendo didn’t reveal any information on Breath of The Wild 2 story. However, in Breath of The Wild’s epilogue, Link and Zelda promised to set off on a new adventure, and it looks like both characters will fulfill their promise in Breath of the Wild sequel.

The trailer clearly shows a menacing character returning to life through some sort of Reanimation Jutsu (Naruto reference). So, it’s safe to presume that the story will follow Link and Zelda trying to stop this warrior from destroying Hyrule.

Several ‘Breath of The Wild 2’ news suggests that Zelda will be an active player in the story. Furthermore, rumors suggest that the princess will be a playable character in BOTW 2. Nevertheless, all such rumors will be dusted if Zelda is abducted right at the beginning of the game.

So, that’s every Zelda Breath of The Wild 2 news for you in 2021. We’ll update this post if we get any new information on one of the best upcoming Nintendo Switch games.

The post Breath Of The Wild 2 Leaks: Release Date, News, Trailer & More appeared first on Fossbytes .

Activision started things over in 2021 with Call of Duty Mobile Season 1, New Order. Season 1 introduced amazing new content in the game, including the ‘Desperado’ battle royale class, Blitz game mode, etc. However, COD Mobile developers are now ready to take a step forward with Call of Duty Mobile Season 2.

Call of Duty Mobile Season 2 is only a few days ahead. Interestingly, Activision has already revealed some features arriving in the upcoming COD Mobile update. So, in this post, we’ve mentioned all the changes coming in Call of Duty Mobile Season 2; without any further ado, let’s get started.

Call Of Duty Mobile Season 2 Release Date

Call of Duty Mobile Season 2 is expected to release on March 11, 2021. That’s because the Season 1 (New Order) Battle Pass is ending on the same day. However, Activision hasn’t revealed an official release date for the upcoming COD mobile season. So, it’s better to take this information with a pinch of salt.

Call Of Duty Mobile Season 2 Leaks

New ‘Spotter’ Battle Royale Class

The upcoming COD Mobile ‘Spotter’ BR class allows players to call cluster strike to a designated area. So, if you spot an enemy squad, you can mark that location to call a cluster strike on them. This ability will get you free kills while also distracting nearby enemies.

Similar to other battle royale classes, the Spotter BR class comes with a passive ability. It reveals nearby winged enemies while increasing the reload speed of the Rocket Launcher.

Warzone Cargo Truck

‘ Call of Duty Warzone ‘ players are familiar with the massive Cargo trucks in the game. Well, fortunately, the same truck is arriving in the COD Mobile Season 2 update. Of course, compared to other COD Mobile vehicles, the Cargo truck is slow. However, the large size of the vehicle will surely push back the enemies for a while.

Proximity Mine

After a long wait, Call of Duty Mobile is finally getting Proximity Mine in Season 2. The Proximity Mine is a lethal equipment that can be deployed on a certain location and explodes when enemies are in the vicinity. Moreover, you can also shoot the Proximity Mine to make it explode.

Welding Gun

Several Call of Duty Mobile Season 2 leaks speculated the arrival of a Welding gun in the game. Well, the new weapon is confirmed in the Season 2 test server. So, as soon as the next COD Mobile update goes live, players can use the Welding Gun to repair damaged vehicles within seconds.

Tank Battle Mode In Call Of Duty Mobile Season 2

Call of Duty Mobile Season 2 is getting a brand new battle royale mode , Tank Battle. In the upcoming COD Mobile game mode, you will have to collect a total of five components. Then, you have to use the same components to assemble the same tank. After you have your favorite tank, use it to dominate your enemies and be the last team standing to win the match.

New Multiplayer Maps

Activision already confirmed that the Call of Duty Mobile Season 2 update would get a new Multiplayer map. The upcoming COD Mobile map is Shoot House, a small Modern Warfare map designed for quick matches.

New Weapons

Surprisingly, COD Mobile Season 2 will introduce two new guns in the game, AS VAL and SP-R 208. The AS VAL is a Russian Rifle first introduced in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

On the other hand, SP-R 208 is a marksman rifle from COD Warzone. It is already a fan-favorite rifle because of its incredible power and fast reload speed. So, it’s exciting that Call of Duty Mobile players will get to try out SP-R 208.

That’s all Call of Duty Mobile Season 2 leaks we could gather right now. We’ll update the post as soon as we get something new on the upcoming COD Mobile update.

The post Call Of Duty Mobile Season 2 Leaks: Release Date, Spotter BR Class, Tank Mode, & More appeared first on Fossbytes .

Elon Musk’s dream internet project Starlink is already making rounds on the web and is currently being used by over 10,000 people. However, speaking of one of the biggest markets, when will we get SpaceX Starlink in India is the question many are asking.

So, in this article, we’ll talk about the Starlink India release date and what are the hurdles that are stopping it based on the information that we currently have.

When will Starlink arrive in India?

The Starlink internet service is scheduled to arrive in 2022. We now have an official word from SpaceX and the company says it will begin limited testing of its service in India by next year. The Startlink internet is now available for pre-order.

This will mark the second win for Elon Musk as his electric car company Tesla is also setting up an R&D center in Bangalore , India.

As per various reports from last year, SpaceX has been waiting for the Indian government’s regulatory and policy barriers to get lifted in order to bring its satellite-powered internet service to India.

Last year, TRAI (Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) released a paper on improving the nation’s broadband infrastructure and speed, to which SpaceX made some recommendations. Currently, policies don’t allow non-Indian companies to provide satellite-based communication in India.

What areas in India will get Starlink internet?

While we have a rough estimation of the release date, you can now check what regions in India are eligible to get the Starlink internet. You can visit the SpaceX website and enter your pin code to know whether you can avail of the satellite internet.

If we talk about the U.S., U.K., and Canada, the beta version of Starlink is only available to people living in 45 to 53 degrees latitude regions. Hence, it is possible that the initial offering would be limited to a particular latitude range.

What will be the speed and price of Starlink internet in India?

SpaceX has announced that the Starlink internet is now available for pre-order at $99 (refundable) which is roughly Rs 7000 in India currency. However, we are yet to hear about the monthly subscription plans and hardware cost.

Again, for reference on Starlink internet price, as part of the Better Than Beta offering made in the US and Canada, the service requires a $499 (Rs 36,407) one-time equipment charge for the Starlink Kit. It is followed by a $99 (Rs 7,223) monthly subscription fee. If you choose to terminate the connection, the installation fee will be refunded after you surrender the Starlink Kit.

Considering the internet plans available in India, these costs are way above what many people can afford. Hence, it remains to be seen whether Starlink in India will launch with similar price figures or offer a discount. Still, in the long run, the Starlink internet would eliminate high costs linked to conventional broadband such as laying down internet cables.

As far as Starlink’s internet speed is concerned, the service currently offers between 50 to 150 Mbps to users with latency between 20ms to 40ms. So we can expect India to get get similar or better speed when it arrives.

SpaceX has said that these numbers will improve as it’s continuously upgrading the Starlink network, which currently has over 1,000 satellites deployed in space. It’s adding more satellites, ground stations, and improving its networking software, data speed, uptime, and latency. By summer 2021, users can expect the latency to be between 16ms to 19ms.

How to pre-order Starlink Internet In India right now?

As mentioned above, SpaceX will begin Startlink initial rollout by 2022. One important thing to note is that the pre-order is available on a first-come-first-serve basis, meaning the slots might dry out if you don’t act fast.

You can follow these simple steps to pre-order Starlink Beta service in India.

You will receive a confirmation mail from Starlink after completing the process. A $99 Starlink Beta deposit fee will be charged from your credit card which is fully refundable.

So, this is all we know about having Starlink in India. Don’t forget to hop on to this page in the future to get the latest updates regarding the Starlink release date and price.

The post When Will Starlink Internet Launch In India: Release Date, Speed, Price Expectations appeared first on Fossbytes .

We are only a few hours away from the Valorant Episode 2 Act 2 update. Riot Games will release the update on March 2, introducing a brand new agent in Valorant, Astra. Similar to Omen, Viper, and Brimstone, Astra is a controller in Valorant. Riot Games officially revealed Astra’s abilities on Sunday, and it’s clear that she is the best Valorant controller until now.

In this post, we’ve mentioned everything you need to know about Astra, so it’s easier for you to play with the new Valorant agent as soon as the update goes live.

VALORANT’s New Agent ‘Astra’ Abilities

VALORANT ‘s upcoming agent ‘Astra’ has to (or can?) place Stars, which are throwable projectiles, across the map to activate her different abilities. In the Buy Phase, players can buy a maximum of five Stars, each costing 200 economy points. To place the ‘Stars’ on the map, the Ghanaian controller must go into her Astral form using the ‘X’ key. Once she does that, she can use the Stars to create different effects:

1. Gravity Well (C)

This ability allows Astra to pull enemy players within the star’s radius. After that, the star explodes, making players who are caught in it vulnerable for some time.

2. Nova Pulse (Q)

The Nova Pulse ability charges Stars towards enemies and then detonates, concussing players around it.

3. Nebula (E)

This ability, when activated, converts a Star into a Nebula (Smokeball).

4. Cosmic Divide (X)

The Cosmic Divide is Astra’s Ultimate that allows her to place a massive barrier on the map. The Cosmic wall divides the entire map into two parts, dampening the audio for enemies. The barrier blocks enemies’ bullets, so the other team has no choice but to walk through the barrier to attack.

5. Dissipate (F)

Fortunately, players can retake the Stars placed on the map using ‘F.’ After a short cool-down, players can place the retracted Stars on other locations. This ability, when activated, forms a fake Nebula before returning the Star to players.

This is everything you need to know about Valorant’s new agent, Astra. Surely, using the new controller is going to be difficult for the first few days. However, getting familiar with Astra’s abilities could give you a headstart over other players.

The post VALORANT’s Astra Abilities Explained: Everything About The New Valorant Agent appeared first on Fossbytes .

After the Apple M1 chip’s success, we’re now expecting the next-generation Apple M2 or M1X powered MacBook Pro and MacBook Air. We’re surely getting an upgrade in 2021, and there are some sweet features rumored to be exclusive to the Apple M2 MacBook Pro.

TF International Securities analyst and credible Apple leakster Ming-Chi Kuo told about the new design and features of the M2 MacBook Pro. If Kuo’s note is to be believed, the M2 MacBook Pro or the M1X MacBook Pro will add a lot more muscle to the Pro model than the Air. Here’s everything you need to know about the M2 MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pro Release Date

The M2/M1X MacBook Pro release date will be around the third quarter of 2021. We don’t know the exact date of the launch, but we can expect major design and feature changes. The upcoming Apple silicon-backed MacBook Pro is due for additional ports and possibly the return of MagSafe on MacBook.

M2 MacBook Pro Design

According to Ming-Chi Kuo, the Pro will come with a “flat-edged” design. This will be in tune with the company’s other products. Apple has already squared off the edges on the iPhone 12 lineup and the new iPad lineup. So it’s no surprise that the next-gen MacBook Pro design will not be as curved as the current one.

The new Pro models are expected to come in 14-inch and 16-inch screen sizes with a Mini LED display. It is certainly an upgrade over the current panel, and it means sharper, brighter images on the new Mac. You may notice design changes on the sides too, where Apple is expected to add more ports. Yes, Apple is likely to reverse its USB Type-C-only design. This means we may get more ports on the M2 MacBook Pro.

MacBook Pro 2021 New Features

Now that the release date and design are out of the way, let’s talk about the 2021 MacBook Pro features. According to Kuo’s note, the new MacBook Pro will sport an HDMI port, an SD card slot, and MagSafe charging. Apple killed off the SD card slot after the 2015 MacBook Pro model. Then the HDMI and MagSafe were gone too.

Apple might actually add back HDMI and SD card support to the newer Pro models. It is so because the Pro has to offer more to justify its price over the Air now. The current M1 MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are almost at par, making it difficult to justify the Pro as the ‘Pro’ choice.

With the addition of an HDMI port and an SD card slot, Apple may try to utilize the thicker design of the Pro model to deliver extra functions. As for the MacBook Air, we expect it to count on the adapters to get additional ports.

Kuo says that Genesys Logic will be making the SD card readers, and they’ll be USB 4.0 compatible. Both the HDMI as well as SD card reader are popular features among photographers and video editors. So we can say that Apple is tapping deeper into a territory that already prefers the MacBook Pro over other machines.

MagSafe: The Prodigal Son Returns!

Lastly, MagSafe on the M2 MacBook Pro will probably be a good decision. I’ve been using a MagSafe MacBook Air, and I’ve also used a MacBook with Type-C charging. The MagSafe model lets you confidently charge your MacBook on a table in a cafe. If someone accidentally topples on the cable, it just disconnects easily, saving your laptop.

With the Type-C port, it is likely that you’ll wreck your MacBook if someone yanks the cable. However, it remains to be seen if Apple offers a 90 watt MagSafe charger just like the Type-C one that comes with the current MacBook Pro.

Rest assured, if these upgrades make it to the next-gen MacBook Pro, it’ll better justify the price for not just the premium, but the added functionality and design.

Sourc e

The post M2/M1X MacBook Pro Details: Expected Release Date, Features, Design appeared first on Fossbytes .

PUBG Corp is all set to expand the PUBG franchise by including a third battle royale game under its umbrella. Recently, PUBG Studios announced a new PUBG battle royale game for mobile devices, PUBG: New State. Unlike other PUBG games, PUBG: New State is a futuristic game set in 2051.

For PUBG fans, the announcement of a new PUBG game is exhilarating yet confusing too. That’s why, in this post, we’re going to mention everything you need to know about PUBG: New State. So, without any further ado, let’s get started.

What Is PUBG: New State?

PUBG: New State is an upcoming battle royale game developed by PUBG Studios, the original creator of PUBG. PUBG Studios announced the upcoming game through a short yet astonishing trailer. You could see that PUBG: New State is a lot different from PUBG Mobile and PUBG (PC & Console version).

PUBG: New State flaunts futuristic vehicles, drones, combat shields, and several other near-future technologies. Quite frankly, the new PUBG game looks similar to some of the Call of Duty games.

Moreover, PUBG: New State promises to introduce an advanced weapon customization system. Unfortunately, we don’t know how exactly the game will spice up the weapon modification. However, given the game’s futuristic nature, it’s safe to say that there will be several new weapon attachments.

Interestingly, PUBG: New State won’t take us back to old PUBG Maps such as Erangel , Karakin , Vikendi, etc. Instead, this time, players will explore a new map called TROI.

PUBG: New State Platforms

It’s confirmed that PUBG: New State will only release for mobile devices. So, both Android and iOS users will enjoy the new PUBG battle royale game on their devices pretty soon.

PUBG: New State Release Date

PUBG New State is scheduled to release for Android and iOS by the end of 2021. However, we don’t have an official release date for the upcoming PUBG battle royale game.

PUBG New State Developer: Is Tencent Involved?

The short answer to this question is NO, Tencent is not developing PUBG: New State. PUBG Studios, the Korean developer behind the original PUBG game, is working on the upcoming PUBG battle royale game.

Last year, the Indian Government banned PUBG Mobile ( developed by Tencent), citing privacy concerns. So, it’s safe to assume that by not including Tencent in PUBG: New State’s development, PUBG Corp. wants to step back into the Indian market.

Right now, that’s all we know about PUBG: New State. The Alpha testing for the game will begin in the second half of 2021. So, we’ll update this post as soon as we hear something more about the game’s development.

The post PUBG New State: Here’s Everything About The New Battle Royale Game appeared first on Fossbytes .

God Of War: Ragnarok, the sequel to 2018’s God Of War, is probably one of the most-awaited video games right now. Santa Monica Studio revived the extremely beloved PlayStation video game series back in 2018. PlayStation players are eager for Sony to release God of War: Ragnarok, which was announced in September 2020.

Right now, we know very little about the God Of War Ragnarok release date, story, etc. However, we still gathered all the information about Santa Monica Studio’s upcoming video game. If you want to learn all about God of War 2, then go ahead and read the article.

God Of War Ragnarok Release Date: Delayed To 2022?

According to Santa Monica Studio, God of War: Ragnarok is scheduled to release in 2021. However, as of now, there is no exact release date for the game. Also, there are high chances that Sony will push back the God of War release date to 2022.

Santa Monica Studio has been working on the God of War 2 since the release of God of War in 2018. Of course, it’s only been three years since the release of God Of War, which isn’t enough for Sony to complete the GoW sequel. However, players are already losing their minds waiting for the sequel.

Originally, Sony announced the 2021 target release date for God of War Ragnarok. Unfortunately, PlayStation’s CEO, Jim Ryan, didn’t mention anything about God of War: Ragnarok in his latest interviews. Ryan continuously went on to talk about other PS5 games, including Returnal, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart , and Horizon Forbidden West .

According to Ryan, Horizon Forbidden West is scheduled to release in late-2021. On the other hand, Gran Turismo 7 is officially delayed to 2022. So, there’s a high possibility that Ryan left out God Of War 2 in his interviews because Sony is pushing back the game to 2022.

Also, Jason Schreier, a reliable industry insider, confirmed that we wouldn’t be getting the God of War sequel this year.

Trailer

If you’re looking for a story trailer for God Of War 2, you won’t find it; at least at the time of writing this post. Instead, there is a God of War Ragnarok announcement trailer from September 16, 2020. In the trailer, you can see the 2021 release window for the game.

God Of War Ragnarok Platforms: Will God Of War Ragnarok be On PS4?

Unfortunately, it’s hard to say that God Of War Ragnarok will be coming on PS4. Of course, the recent PlayStation exclusive, Spider-Man Miles Morales, came out for PS4 and PS5. However, we can’t be sure that Sony will follow the same trend for God Of War 2 until we hear something official.

Story

In God Of War, we learn Atreus’ mother’s true identity, who was actually a giant. Fans were also shocked that Atreus’ other name is Loki. For those unaware, Loki is the mischievous God in Norse mythology, who is also Thor’s brother. So, in God of War Ragnarok, we might see Atreus learning about his roots.

Moreover, Kratos already defeated the Norse God of Light, ‘Baldur.’ In Norse mythology, Ragnarok is an event in which several Norse God dies. So, maybe, Kratos also initiated the Ragnarok event by killing Baldur. Interestingly, it is confirmed that Kratos might also go against Thor in God Of War 2.

Will Kratos Die In God Of War Ragnarok?

Several theories are suggesting that Thor will kill Kratos in God of War Ragnarok. However, it’s doubtful that Kratos will die in God Of War 2. Kratos is the main protagonist of the God of War series, and the studio won’t simply kill him in the sequel.

That’s all we know about God Of War Ragnarok as of now. However, we’ll update this post as soon as we hear something about the game.

The post God Of War Ragnarok: Release Date, Platforms, Trailer & More appeared first on Fossbytes .

After a wait of almost 2 years, Kodi foundation has finally released Kodi 19 ‘Matrix .’ The latest Kodi update brings several features and fixes over Kodi 18 Leia update. With the number of cord-cutters increasing every day, Kodi 19 Matrix is bound to get a warm welcome amongst the community. The XBMC-owned media player has arrived with a host of features to make it easy for Kodi users to watch content.

Before we proceed to Kodi 19 features, here are some number highlighted by XBMC to show the immense hard work they put into developing Kodi 19 update.

Kodi 19 Matrix: By Numbers

• Code contribution by nearly 50 individual open source developers
• About 5,000 commits in over 1,500 pull requests since the first release of 18.x “Leia”
• More than 5,500 changed files
• 600,000 lines of codes added, changed, or removed
• Uncountable time spent in conceiving, designing, developing, and testing Kodi 19 Matrix

Let’s take a look at the best Kodi 19 features we’ll get to see in this latest Kodi update.

Best Kodi 19 Features

1. Improved Audio Playback

One of the biggest Kodi 19 features is improved audio and video playback on the open-source software. Kodi 19 Matrix brings improvements for music lovers, including library improvements, new tags, new displays, how Kodi handles release dates, album durations, multi-disc sets, and more.

Kodi Matrix comes with the newly themed visualizations related to Matrix. XBMC has also changed how information is passed from the audio decoder addons to the Kodi player.

2. Refined Video Playback

According to XBMC, most of the Kodi 19 features related to video playback are more technical and may depend upon the hardware you are using. Some of the video playback changes you’ll see in Kodi 19 include AV1 software decoding, HLG HDR and static HDR10 playback on Windows 10, static HDR10, and dynamic Dolby Vision HDR support on Android, and more OpenGL bicubic scalers.

3. Redesigned User Interface

Like other Kodi updates, Kodi 19 Matrix also comes with a refreshed user interface. XBMC has redesigned the screen, especially for music playback. Other UI-related best Kodi 19 features are:

• New metadata displays
• Changes to playlist views
• A new “now playing” view
• Artwork and image file improvements
• Both new and updated GUI controls

4. Subtitle Opacity & Color

We have rarely seen XBMC focusing on subtitles in any previous Kodi updates. However, they have corrected their ways in Kodi 19 Matrix. In the new Kodi update, you’ll get options to select a dark grey color and set the opacity for the captions. Also, another Kodi 19 feature is that XBMC has fixed timestamp overlays in subtitles.

5. New PVR & Live Television Features

Several Kodi users use the open-source player for watching live TV, and the new Kodi 19 has focused on this. Here are the new PVR and live TV features of Kodi 19:

• PVR reminders
• Home screen widgets
• Group/channel manager enhancements
• Navigation and dialog controls
• Context menus
• New/Live/Finale/Premiere tags
• Channel numbering and sorting
• Performance improvements
• API improvements

6. New Security Features

With Kodi 19 Matrix, XBMC has focused on the security of the player. Kodi will now display the origin of installed addons and their dependencies. This will prevent third-party repositories from overwriting codes of unrelated add-ons.

The Kodi 19 addon list will also highlight the broken and non-working addons. Also, you can password-protect the Kodi web interface to keep it away from prying eyes. Additionally, Kodi will warn you of the security implications of enabling external interfaces.

7. Support For tvOS

XBMC has bid goodbye to iOS 32-bit, and Kodi 19 has added support for tvOS. For Apple users, the new Kodi 19 features include specific TopShelf support and fixes on AppleTV, better logging, and notch support on iOS.

You can read the entire changelog of the Kodi 19 update on Github if you want to know more about the latest Kodi version.

Kodi 19 Addons: Backward Compatibility Issues

Whenever a new Kodi update is released, most users are skeptical whether the latest update will be compatible with the older addons. As far as Kodi 19 is concerned, it marks a shift from the old Python 2.7 and has been developed upon Python 3. XBMC has added several new Kodi 19 addons to the list of default addons.

XBMC already informed about this shift to developers a long way back, so they had time to port the addons to make them compatible with the latest version. However, several Kodi users have complained that older add-ons are not compatible with Kodi 19 Matrix.

Therefore, we recommend users not to install the latest Kodi update yet if they don’t want to lose their existing Kodi addons.

We will soon update the list of Kodi 19 addons for you to enjoy content on the latest Kodi update.

Now that you know about Kodi 19 addons compatibility and Kodi features, here is how you can download Kodi 19 on your device:

How To Download Kodi 19?

Kodi 19 has been released for Android, Linux, Mac OS X, iOS, tvOS, and Windows operating systems. To download Kodi 19, you need to visit the official Kodi website and choose your device’s operating system. After choosing the operating system, you will get the option to download Kodi 19 update.

Installation of Kodi 19 is a fairly easy procedure, and you need to install it like any other application. Also, you need to know that Kodi 19 does not come with any pre-installed content, and it’s designed to work as a media player.

There are options to download Kodi 19 nightly builds if you want to test new features before everyone else. You can consider this as a beta Kodi version. However, if you are not technically proficient, we recommend that you install the stable build of Kodi 19.

The post Kodi 19 ‘Matrix’ Released: Best Features | Kodi 19 Addons | How To Download appeared first on Fossbytes .