Samsung, the South Korean multinational conglomerate, has launched a new budget smartphone under their umbrella in India. Also, it is a new addition to the Samsung M series. Let’s find out what Samsung’s new product has to offer to the customers.
Samsung Galaxy M12: Specifications
The Monster is here! And now it’s reloaded with an 8nm Processor, a 90Hz Display and a True 48MP Camera. Not to forget its massive 6000mAh Battery. Wait, there’s more. #GalaxyM12 available on Amazon at an introductory price of just ₹9999. pic.twitter.com/HgQxDY1gzO
The Samsung Galaxy M12 will have a 6.5-inch HD+resolution Infinity V display and comes with a faster refresh rate of 90 Hz. It has a 20:9 aspect ratio. It powered by Samsung’s own Exynos 850 octa-core processor which is based 8nm chipset.
In terms of optics, you will be offered a 48MP primary ISOCELL GM2 sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide lens with a 123-degree field of view, a 2MP macro lens and a 2MP depth camera. For selfies, the front camera will have an 8MP lens. One of the best parts of this smartphone is its powerful battery backup.
The handset boasts to hosts a 6000 mAh battery which comes along with a 15W charger inside the box. To make the smartphone more comfortable to use, Samsung has developed a handset with smooth curves. Also, the fingerprint sensor is placed at the side rather than in the front or in the back.
Galaxy M12 is a budget phone which comes in two variants. The 4GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage variant comes for Rs 10,999. The 6 GB RAM and 128 GB internal storage model will cost you Rs 13,499. The smartphone is offered in three colours which are Black, Blue and White colours.
The sale for the device will start on March 18, 2021. You can purchase the device from Samsung.com, Amazon.in and select retail stores.
After winning the FC Barcelona Presidential election earlier this week with more than 54% of the votes, Joan Laporta begins his second reign as Barcelona President. He held the position between 2003 and 2010, when the La Liga club won the treble under Pep Guardiola, claiming 12 trophies, including two UEFA Champions League titles and four league titles.
The 58-year-old oversaw one of the most successful times in the club’s history by making some brilliant signings. Here, we rank five of the best signings made by Laporta in his first spell as Barcelona president.
1. Ronaldinho – 2003-2008
JOSE JORDAN/Getty Images
Laporta promised electorates that he will bring in a certain Manchester United star in David Beckham, but the midfielder chose Real Madrid, however bad it may sound, this might just have been the turning point in Barcelona’s history. Brazilian star Ronaldinho was signed in place of Beckham and his arrival was integral to Laporta’s presidency.
The former Brazil international was key in helping reposition the club at the summit of the domestic and international game, as he helped reestablish the club both on and off the field. At the time of his signing, Barcelona had not won a trophy in five years, but just two years after his arrival, Ronaldinho’s otherworldy abilities on the field helped the Blaugrana win the La Liga title and the UEFA Champions League in 2006.
Ronaldinho made 207 appearances for the club leading them to numerous honors and, he won a number of personal accolades himself including the Ballon d’Or for his performances during his time in Spain.
His status in the new social media era as the first global superstar footballer and someone who always had a smile on his face also helped boost Barcelona’s marketing appeal off the field. And if all this was not enough, Ronaldinho helped pave the way for a bright future for an Argentine superstar, Lionel Messi.
2. Dani Alves – 2008-2016
JOSEP LAGO/Getty Images
Dani Alves has a special place in Barcelona’s history. He was Pep Guardiola’s first signing and he was arguably the second most important player in Guardiola’s era after Messi.
Considered one of the best right-backs to have ever played, the former Sevilla man made 391 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions. He scored 21 goals and assisted 101. His on-field understanding with Messi proved to be a major catalyst to Barcelona’s glory years under Guardiola.
The Brazilian international is currently the most decorated player in the history of football with 23 of his trophies coming in eight trophy-laden seasons at Camp Nou.
3. Gerard Pique – 2006-
Image: Sportkeeda
Unlike the other names on this list, Gerad Pique was a member of the La Masia alongside Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas. After a brief spell with Manchester United, the center-back returned to Barcelona, and the decision to sanction his return ranks as one of the shrewdest decisions of Joan Laporta during his spell as president at the club.
At the height of the club’s golden era, Pique partnered with Carles Puyol and the rock at the heart of defence for Barcelona is now acting as the mentor of younger partners since Puyol’s retirement.
The 34-year-old has made 559 appearances in all competitions for Barcelona at the time of writing this. Many have pinpointed him as a future Barcelona president as he is also business savvy, with degrees acquired from prestigious universities.
4. Samuel Eto’o – 2004-2009
CESAR RANGEL/Getty Images
For five seasons, Samuel Eto’s acted as the focal point of Barcelona’s attack. With Ronaldinho, Deco, and later Lionel Messi supplying sumptuous balls, the four-time African Player of the Year scored goals with reckless abandon. The former Cameroon international was an integral part of the success enjoyed by Barcelona in his five years at Camp Nou.
Eto’o scored 130 goals and provided 40 assists in 199 matches in all competitions for Barcelona, winning eight major trophies, including two Champions League crowns and three La Liga titles.
Eto’s departure from the club was controversial in the summer of 2009, and poetic justice was served when he helped his Inter Milan side eliminate his former club in the Champions League en route to becoming the first player to win consecutive continental trebles.
5. Deco – 2004-2008
Image: Sportskeeda
Deco was an integral part of Jose Mourinho’s 2004 UEFA Champions League triumph with Porto before completing a move to Barcelona that summer.
Alongside Ronaldinho, the former Portugal international helped Barcelona win the La Liga in 2005, which they successfully defended a season later. The UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup were added to their trophy cabinet in 2006.
Deco was named the UEFA Midfielder of the Year, which made him the first player to win the award with two different clubs as he won the award in his stint at Porto as well. He was named the Best Player of the tournament and the MVP in the final of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Deco signed for Chelsea in the summer of 2008, after making 161 appearances in all competitions for the Blaugrana, scoring 21 goals and providing 45 assists.
Honorable Mentions: Thierry Henry, Eric Abidal, David Villa (a gift to the next president as Laporta had reached an agreement with Villa but the player was signed after his departure).
David Alaba will leave Bayern for sure in the summer, as confirmed by the player himself. But it’s not clear where he will end up, one of the subjects for heated debates across all platforms. Real Madrid has been heavily linked with the player along with other top European clubs.
It has been rumoured in recent times that David Alaba has a verbal agreement with Barcelona but his agent, Pini Zahavi has cleared all the doubts.
Pini Zahavi, agent of David Alaba, to Goal: “There’s no verbal agreement with Barcelona. The news is NOT true”. The only club that reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Alaba is Real Madrid, as reported… but it’s not signed yet. 🔴🇦🇹 #Alabahttps://t.co/4TFIavQlyu
Pini Zahavi, agent of David Alaba said to Goal: “There’s no verbal agreement with Barcelona. The news is NOT true”.
As reported earlier by Romano, the only club that reached a ‘verbal agreement’ with Alaba is Real Madrid, but it’s not signed yet. A four-year contract worth €12 million per season has been agreed upon between them.
Real Madrid need a new centre-back as Ramos hasn’t signed the contract extension yet and it has also been rumoured that Varane may leave the club in the summer. So Los Blancos would definitely want to sign the two-time continental treble winner for free. It would be an absolute bargain.
But until the agreement is officially signed, nothing can be said yet but Real Madrid are definitely in the front seat to sign him.
Liverpool and Real Madrid are both monitoring the progress of Santos forward Angelo Gabriel as they consider making a move for the teenager.
According to a report by Sport Witness, Liverpool have been impressed by Gabriel’s progression at Santos this season and are looking into a potential deal.
The 16 years old Angelo Gabriel has impressed in the limited game time he got for Santos. He made his debut last season. He has already made 12 appearances for the club. He has made his first appearance in the Copa Libertadores a few days back. Though he yet to score his first goal for the club.
Gabriel has a €60m release clause in his contract with Santos. But it is very much questionable to spent this high amount of money for a 16-year-old.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp always loves to nurture young talents. There are multiple Brazilian like Alisson, Firmino, Fabinho on his Liverpool side as well. So, the Reds are now considering a move for the teenage Brazilian as well.
However, the Premier League champion can find a challenge from Real Madrid in signing Angelo Gabriel. Real Madrid is also interested in the Santos teenager. Real Madrid has signed some Brazilian youngsters like Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, and others in recent times. Angelo Gabriel can join that list as well.
Realme has been teasing the upcoming Realme 8 series for a long time, which will be equipped with a 108MP camera. The company has yet now revealed the launch date of the series but today a tipster claims that the launch is scheduled for 24th March, which means at the last week of this month and after the launch of the OnePlus 9 series in India.
— Gadgetsdata(Debayan Roy) (@Gadgetsdata) March 11, 2021
Previous a tipster claimed that the launch will be held on March 25 but the same tipster also claims that it was a mistake and the correct date is March 24. If 24th is the final date then this might get over-shadow this launch with the OnePlus 9 series launch in India a day before it.
FIFA protecting “not just football and its institutions, but also the very people that practise the sport”
ZURICH, Switzerland, March 10, 2021/ — President Infantino addresses special event on safeguarding sport from corruption and crime; FIFA protecting “not just football and its institutions, but also the very people that practise the sport”.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has featured at the 14th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to discuss the main threats to football and how the sport’s global governing body is tackling them.
Invited to speak as part of a special event on safeguarding sport from corruption and crime, President Infantino said that, with a rock-solid commitment to good governance, the new FIFA has laid solid foundations to eliminate corruption from football:
“Through the FIFA Forward Programme, we provide each of our 211 member associations worldwide with up to five times more investment than they received before 2016. But the key difference is that each and every dollar of this investment is tied to specific contracts, and external independent audits in each and every country. The new FIFA leaves no room for wrongdoing.”
And, referring to FIFA’s ground-breaking financial support scheme devised and rolled out last year, he went on: “During the pandemic, we have again put this into practice with the FIFA COVID-19 Relief Plan, an unprecedented 1.5 billion dollar fund to support football through difficult times. In football’s hour of need, funding only goes where it is needed.”
Vigilance and compliance
On other threats to the integrity of football, the FIFA President raised the issue of match manipulation, saying that, “with the financial strains of the recent pandemic, we will have to remain even more vigilant than ever to ensure that those involved in matches are not susceptible to match-fixing”.
And, through FIFA’s work to reform the transfer system, the organisation is striving to ensure the fair and correct distribution of money “in compliance with national and international financial regulations, including applicable anti-money laundering laws”.
Protecting the very people that practise the sport
Having set up the FIFA Guardians Programme with UNICEF, the Council of Europe and Safe Sport International to help prevent any risk of harm to children and those most vulnerable, and to respond appropriately if concerns arise, FIFA is looking to do even more in the fight against one of the most serious crimes in society.
“FIFA is a proud ally of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC),” the FIFA President said. “We are truly thankful for the partnership that we established with UNODC last year to tackle one of the toughest issues facing our sport, including child safeguarding, protecting sport integrity and preventing crime.”
Referring to the memorandum of understanding signed with the UNODC, the FIFA President added: “We are currently discussing to potentially establish an independent, multi-sports, multi-government and multi-agency “international centre for safe sports” to help manage cases of abuse of children in sport.”
Only as strong as our networks
President Infantino asserted that FIFA’s strength in tacking these issues lay in its collaboration with specialised agencies.
“Recognising the natural limits of our experience and expertise, we are forming global alliances with international and regional organisations to fight malpractices and help bring about positive social change.
“Since 2018, we have entered into collaboration agreements with such globally recognised authorities as the UNODC, the World Health Organization, UN Women, UNESCO, the World Food Programme, the Council of Europe, the African Union, and ASEAN.
“The common elements to these agreements include good governance, the protection of the integrity of sport, and the safeguarding of children.”
After dominating performance in the Test series and qualifying for the ICC World Test Championship, now it is the time to turn up the concentration into T20s.
However, unlike the last two Test of the series, a large crowd is expected to gather for the first T20 between India and England at Motera’s newly made Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday. According to the officials, 40,000 tickets have already been sold.
A Gujarat Cricket Association official said, “We are expecting a lot more crowd than what we saw in the Test matches. As of now, we have been able to sell over 40,000 tickets. We are expecting that the seats will be filled up for the first T20 International.”
The Narendra Modi Stadium of Motera is currently the largest cricket stadium in the world in terms of capacity. It has a capacity of 1,10,000.
The tickets are available online and offline at Motera Stadium and Sardar Patel Stadium, and Navrangpura. The price of the ticket starts from Rs 500 and goes up to Rs 10,000.
The first T20 is on the 12th of March. Whereas other matches will be played in the same venue on March 14, 16, 18 and 20. All the matches will start at 7 pm IST.
After the T20 series, there will be a 3-match ODI series as well. All the matches will be played in Pune on March 23, 26 and 28.
Disney Star Sports is ready to start the business to secure the earning from IPL 2021. As per the report, Disney Star Sports, the official broadcaster of IPL 2021, is targeting INR 3200 Cr from the IPL advertising this year.
Star India has already increased the rates for IPL on-air packages by almost 15-20%. But that does not affect finding the advertiser for the 14th edition of IPL. Brands like Just Dial, Byju’s, Dream11, ITC, MRF, PhonePe, AMFI, Coca Cola and some other renowned company has already signed as on-air sponsors. Some will join the list soon.
The 13th edition of IPL was super successful in terms of brands exposer. The viewership of IPL increased by 23% even in the time of the Corona Virus pandemic. It was a huge success for IPL Committee and BCCI. It also increased the market value of IPL. As a reward, Star Sports is getting such a phenomenal response from the market despite the increase in the asking price for IPL 2021.
This year Star is selling the inventory at INR 13 to 13.5 Lac per 10 seconds which was INR 11 / 11.5 Lac per 10 seconds in IPL 2020.
Executive Vice President of Star Sports, Anil Jayraj said, “IPL continues to be a marquee to drive business results for brands and hence presents a massive opportunity for brands to reach out to a wide variety of audiences.”
Juventus’ €100m Cristiano Ronaldo gamble has proved to be a failure.
Juventus has suffered some tough time claiming the UEFA Champions League title since 1996. Since then, they have been defeated in five finals, most recently in 2017. In the 2017 UEFA Champions League final, they lost to Real Madrid, and Cristiano Ronaldo scored a brace for the Spanish giant.
To change the fortune, the Italian side bought Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for €100m. But the situation has not changed for Juventus. Juventus has failed to reach the semi-final ever since the Portuguese joined the club.
Cristiano Ronaldo is well known for his domination in UCL games. Some call him, ‘Mr. Champions League’ as well. In his 23 games for Juventus in UEFA Champions League, he has scored 14 goals. He scored a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid in the UCL Round of 16 in the 2018-19 season to help Juventus make a comeback from 2-0.
But since then, Juventus have been the victims of three giant killings in a row. In 2018-19 they lost to Ajax in the quarterfinal. Last season they were beaten by Lyon and this season by Porto.
Juventus is also not having a great time in the domestic league as well. They are now 3rd in the table 10 points behind the leaders Inter Milan. After winning 9 straight Serie A titles win this can be the first season when they lose the title.
Juventus spent plenty of cash on Ronaldo and failed to fulfil the other loopholes of the squad. It is now backfiring them. Moreover, Cristiano Ronaldo is slowly losing his best form because of his age.
The whole situation has proved to be a failed gamble for the Italian side.
Few years back getting a Smart TV at low costs was a myth, however, things did change a lot when players like Xiaomi, Vu and others entered into TV market. We did end up getting good TVs and that too Smart ones, this has really helped to transform the Indian Smart TV market as a whole.
The new MI TV 4A Horizon Edition is a real deal for those who are looking for a value oriented Smart TV with all the functionalities. It looks modern with slim bezels thinner body, still managing to have a 20 Watts stereo speakers, running on Xiaomi’s PatchWall OS that is built on top of Android TV 9.
Here are the two models you can get:
80cm (32 inches) HD Ready Android LED TV
Deal Price: ₹ 15,999
Resolution : HD Ready (1366 x 768) | Refresh Rate: 60 hertz | 178 Degree wide viewing angle
Connectivity:3 HDMI ports to connect set top box, Blue Ray players | 2 USB ports to connect hard drives and other USB devices | Bluetooth 4.1
Sound: 20 Watts Stereo Speakers | DTS-HD sound
Smart TV Features : Android TV 9 | Google Assistant | Google Play | Chromecast Built-in | Google Data Saver to watch 3X more on mobile data | Mi Quick Wake Under 5 secs | PatchWall – 23+ Content Partners|Kids Mode with Parental Lock| Smart Curation|Universal search|Collection – Spend less time browsing for finding the right content
Resolution : Full HD (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 60 hertz
Connectivity: Connectivity : 3 HDMI ports to connect set top box, Blue Ray players | 2 USB ports to connect hard drives and other USB devices | Bluetooth 4.1
Smart TV Features : Android TV 9 | Google Assistant | Google Play | Chromecast Built-in | Google Data Saver to watch 3X more on mobile data | Supported Apps: Netflix | Prime Video | Disney+ Hotstar | YouTube | 5000+ apps from Google Play Store| Mi Quick Wake Under 5 secs
